"Defeated?"
Temari pursed her lips slightly, her gaze still stubborn. "Only our advance units have clashed. The main force has yet to arrive, so the outcome has not been decided." At that moment, a rapid series of ninjutsu collisions suddenly rang out in the distance, accompanied by Sunagakure's clear retreat signal. A shrill whistle pierced the battlefield and carried distinctly to them.
The instant they heard the whistle, Temari and Kankuro's expressions changed simultaneously.
Kankuro spoke in a deep voice. "It's the rear's retreat signal. Our main force has encountered Konoha reinforcements and been blocked from advancing. The advance units are ordered to withdraw immediately!"
A flicker of unwillingness flashed through Temari's eyes as she stared fixedly at Kawaki Aoba, her voice icy. "Consider yourselves lucky. Sunagakure will withdraw for now."
Kawaki Aoba did not release her. He said calmly, "You invaded the border and lost the fight. You think one sentence about withdrawing is enough to end this?"
Temari raised her eyes to meet his, her gaze forceful. "What do you want? To kill a Sunagakure Jonin? Do you really think Konoha can bear Sunagakure's retaliation? Once war begins and the two nations completely tear off their masks, a large-scale Shinobi World war will erupt. Can you bear the consequences?"
Kawaki Aoba's gaze remained calm, his tone neither servile nor overbearing. "You were the ones who started this conflict, not Konoha.
"You should bear the consequences yourselves."
Yuhi Shinku hurried over at that moment and tried to persuade him. "Aoba, let her go for now.
"Sunagakure's main force has not withdrawn. Escalating the conflict completely would be disadvantageous to us. Let them leave first and simply hold the border defense line."
Yuhi Kurenai also approached and said softly, "That's right. On the battlefield, maintaining an advantage is far safer