There, rain clouds that never dispersed hung over the entire country like an enormous gray lid.
"Pass the order!" Kari roared. "First wave, advance!"
The army began to move.
Like a black tide, it surged toward the Land of Rain.
Inside Amegakure, panic spread like a plague.
"I-I heard there are thousands of them..."
"Iwagakure and Konoha have joined forces! We're finished!"
"It's all Uchiha Ryūha's fault! He brought this disaster on us!"
"He's a devil! He'll get us all killed!"
In the streets, civilians hurriedly packed their meager belongings, trying to flee.
But the village gates had already been sealed by the ninja of Las Noches. People could enter, but no one could leave.
"Let us out! Do you want us all to die here?!"
"Open the gates! Open them!"
Cries and curses rang through every street in Amegakure.
High in the tower, Konan watched the chaos below, pressing her lips tightly together.
She turned and hurried toward the Throne Hall on the top floor.
"Lord Liuyu." Konan dropped to one knee, her voice pleading. "Please allow the civilians to evacuate.
"They... they're just ordinary people. They shouldn't be dragged into this war."
Liuyu sat on the Throne, resting his cheek against one hand while lightly tapping the armrest with the other.
He had not even opened his eyes.
"Konan," Liuyu said calmly, "have you ever seen a forest after a torrential rain?"
Konan froze.
"The trees that aren't strong enough are torn out by their roots. The hardy weeds are battered down.
"But some trees always put down deeper roots. Some grass always grows more luxuriantly after the rain stops."
He opened his eyes and looked at Konan.
There was no emotion in those eyes, only cold, unfathomable depths.
"A king has no need for useless subjects,"