The sky seemed shrouded beneath a massive slab of lead, gray and oppressive.
The rain of the Land of Rain was like an endless mournful song, drizzling without pause, with no end in sight.
"Lord Danzo, all the civilians in the town ahead have been captured."
A Root ninja wearing a vicious animal mask hurried over to Danzo, dropped to one knee, and reported respectfully.
After the attack on Graystone Town, Konoha had finally learned its lesson this time.
They no longer rashly entered towns. Instead, they first dispatched ninjas skilled in long-range attacks to bombard the town from afar.
Only after the smoke had somewhat cleared did they send Root's elite ninjas in cautiously, capturing the civilians struggling amid the ruins one by one.
Although quite a few civilians had resolutely detonated the Poison Gas Bombs in their hands during their capture, attempting to perish alongside their enemies.
Konoha's forces had been prepared and suffered few losses.
"Well done."
A hint of ease appeared on Danzo's face. His eyes narrowed slightly, revealing a cold gleam.
He felt no psychological burden whatsoever over these methods.
As he had said, he was not as stubbornly narrow-minded as Jiraiya and Tsunade.
Since it was war, they should use every means available!
Only victory was real. Benevolence, righteousness, and morality were nothing but empty things.
"Has Amegakure made any response?"
Danzo raised his head slightly and asked in a hoarse voice.
"Not yet."
The Root ninja answered with his head lowered.
Danzo immediately let out a cold laugh.
"Hmph. It seems that Amegakure Leader is quite hard-hearted as well."
His tone was filled with disdain, as though he had expected this reaction all along.
"But that works too. Let his so-called reputation as a savior collapse on its own!"
Danzo's voice was icy,