Kisame caught the tension and didn't comment. He had a good idea why it was there, and probably had a similar tension in himself. He didn't envy the one who took up the permanent post of Mizukage after them; it was hard, stressful work.

"Taking an interest in Kiri's genin is a new change, and for the better! But, it feels strange to call them mine. The only genin I ever sponsored for chuunin passed the exam years ago. In Suna, actually." Kisame let out a put upon sigh for effect. "It seems the desert won't ever leave me alone."

He chuckled at the comment about Sephiroth. He'd heard about the Konoha genin in question. Sephiroth's interest didn't make very much sense, but it wasn't harmful to him or to Kiri so Kisame had no reason to complain.

"The chuunin exam matches are always interesting, if nothing else!"