The Restraint of Wood Release

Through the Sensory Technique, Nawaki saw through Rasa's outward bravado at a glance. Smiling, he said, "Heh heh... no rush. We'll have plenty of time later to see what you're really made of! Before that, I'd like to know why Sunagakure launched a surprise attack on Konoha."

Rasa sneered. "Hmph! You know perfectly well. The Third Kazekage suddenly vanished three days ago, and Konoha is the prime suspect!"

Nawaki raised a brow. "A suspect? So you have no evidence?"

"Does something like this need evidence?" Rasa retorted dismissively.

"In other words, Sunagakure started a war and violated the alliance between our two nations over nothing but suspicion!" Nawaki's expression turned sharp as he fixed Rasa with a glare. "I really wonder who gave you such nerve. Was the lesson we gave you last time not memorable enough?"

Nawaki had deliberately infused his voice with Wind-nature chakra, allowing the entire battlefield to hear him. Every Sand Ninja recalled the crushing defeat of the last war. It had not even been ten years, and those present still vividly remembered the despair of that time. The Land of Wind had nearly been destroyed by the Skywalker before them, and even the Third Kazekage had been captured by him. Once again, the shadows of that past defeat enveloped the Sand Ninjas' hearts. Skywalker's interrogation felt like lashes striking their souls, and everyone could not help considering the consequences of another defeat. Though their forces vastly outnumbered the enemy's, they felt as if they had already lost.

For a time, the morale of the ninety thousand Sand Ninjas plummeted, their fighting spirit severely weakened. This was Nawaki's main purpose in deliberately inviting Rasa to speak before the armies. The Sand Ninjas were so shaken not only because of the shadows cast by their past defeat,