Kawaki Aoba stood still, neither dodging nor retreating. Only when the fist was about to strike did he turn slightly and raise a hand to block it with effortless ease.
Thud! Temari's full-force Taijutsu attack was stopped cold. Kawaki Aoba did not budge.
A vast, heavy force rebounded through Temari's arm, numbing it instantly and driving her back several steps. Shock filled her face. "Your raw physical strength far surpasses that of an ordinary Jonin? What kind of Ninjutsu have you been training in?"
"I follow no school. I train as I see fit."
Kawaki Aoba's reply was calm.
"Nonsense! No one in the Shinobi World could reach this level by training however they pleased!"
Temari snapped back, disbelief written across her face.
"Just because you haven't seen it doesn't mean it doesn't exist."
Kawaki Aoba walked slowly toward Temari. "Now, will you admit defeat and leave?"
"Admit defeat? I'm a Sunagakure Jonin. Those words aren't in my vocabulary!"
Temari's gaze remained firm. Even at a disadvantage, she refused to give an inch. "Even if I lose today, I will never bow to Konoha!"
"Stubborn to the end."
Kawaki Aoba spoke softly. "Since you refuse to leave, I'll have to end this standoff for good."
He lifted a finger. A faint but extraordinarily concentrated thread of Chakra pointed straight at Temari's brow.
Temari sensed mortal danger. Every hair on her body stood on end, and her heart clenched. Gritting her teeth, she asked, "You're going to kill me?"
"You crossed the border to raid our territory, deliberately provoked a war, and slaughtered border patrol Ninja. Under Konoha law, we would be within our rights to execute you."
Kawaki Aoba's voice was cold and unwavering. "The fact that you're still alive is mercy enough."
"Mercy? I don't need your false mercy!"