"I'm heading out for a bit."
Natsuki set down the document in his hand and said, "I need to inform my teacher about the contents of this document."
"All right. I'll wait for you."
Uchiha Mikoto stopped massaging him and spoke softly.
Natsuki stood up and went straight to the research department's building.
He soon found Orochimaru in the laboratory.
"Has there been a new development in the war?"
Seeing him, Orochimaru ventured a guess.
"Iwagakure and Sunagakure have officially gone to war in the Land of Birds."
Natsuki nodded as he answered.
"They always used to choose the Land of Rain as their battlefield. Choosing the Land of Birds this time suggests they're wary of Konoha."
Orochimaru spoke thoughtfully.
"I think that's the reason too."
Natsuki agreed.
Orochimaru didn't know that Pakura was already under his control.
That left wariness of Konoha as the only possible explanation.
"The other four great ninja villages are already at war. It will be difficult for Konoha to stay out of it."
Orochimaru looked at him and asked, "Which village do you think will declare war on us?"
"Kumogakure and Iwagakure are the most likely."
Natsuki answered without hesitation.
"Increase surveillance on those two villages. Be ready to respond at the first sign of trouble."
Orochimaru gave his instructions.
"Understood, Teacher."
Natsuki immediately replied.
"Where's Nawaki?"
Orochimaru changed the subject.
"He's out on a mission, here in the Land of Fire."
Natsuki paused, then said, "He should be back in about a week."
"Have him come see me when he returns."
Orochimaru smiled faintly. "He can undergo the cell transplant now and awaken Wood Release."
"That really is wonderful news."
Natsuki smiled at that.
"But there's some bad news."
Orochimaru frowned. "Wood Release isn't as powerful as the legends make it out to