Chapter Text
Itachi and Shikamaru balance each other so well, two of the village's greatest intellects who can push each other to new heights in a way no one else really could. Their diplomatic strategy conversations are amazing to witness, their minds fast and fierce and seemingly always in sync no matter how convoluted the discussions get, following each other effortlessly when everyone else is a bit lost. Even Kakashi has to give up at times, and he's pretty damn smart himself. These two are just on another level.
Tenzou curls up like a cat in front of a fireplace watching them, reveling in it but not interjecting because he doesn't want to throw them off when they get into a groove like this, while Kakashi fights the urge to tell them to shut up, go back, what was that last bit again? because he missed something and now they've left him behind in their rapid-fire mental chess game. Yuugao backs away in mild horror that there are two of them now and goes to find Genma. Someone has to warn him.