He kept his focus narrowed as Kaoru began his reply. There was no point in paying close attention to his words, rather, it was where they were coming from that was important. Coupled with the sound of bells, and the loud patter of footfalls as he took flight toward Shigeo, these were the only indicators that the taller youth had to go off of to defend himself. And just like that, the Tokonatsu boy was gone.
Above? His gaze quickly moved up, then down.
Below? No, there was no way that this particular opponent was burrowed into the bridge, and it was even less likely that he could break up and out through the concrete.
From the flank?He heard the sound of bells ringing, and Shigeo took a step forward, toward the direction his opponent had started from. If nothing else, taking away some of the momentum that Kaoru built during his headlong, nearly supersonic sprint would abate some of the intensity of any incoming blow. But that was not what happened.
Behind.The older Genin twisted his body into the step he'd taken, placing a hair's breadth more distance between him and the wailing blade. His own katana slid through in a muddled backhand, coming up from beneath the incoming blade and shunting it off course. He could feel the grip he had on the weapon wavering due to the immense, almost unlikely strength of the other boy. Fortunately, he had the benefit of an awkward exchange to prevent a more direct blow that might have disarmed him.
He felt his eyes narrow.
"Well, then I will have to cede to that experience," Shigeo replied hoarsely as he found himself on the back foot. The sudden flurry of blows was quick. So, this was also something that a weapon Nin was capable of. Each step he took was coupled with a deft flick of his wrist to direct the attacks away from striking true and skewering him full of holes. The reality was becoming apparent. He was outmatched entirely by this enemy, managing only to stay a step behind out of sheer determination.
It would have made more sense simply to concede defeat.
It would have made sense, but neither one of them wanted something that blasé. Kaoru wanted to experience a fight that excited him, and Shigeo yearned to see more of what the other boy had to show him. He wanted to grow, to become stronger, and to prove to everyone that even a Ninja without a Clan could be great. He wasn't going to do that by backing down from his own challenge.
He was frustrated. Hard work had to mean something. He had to make it mean something.
The chakra in his legs kept his movements anchored to the bridge. Barring that, the blinding quickness of each attack would have sent him reeling, skittering, and sliding across the surface uselessly. How was he to match that kind of ability with only his knowledge of Kinobori?
The last few seconds played out with Kaoru racing toward him at a speed his eyes could not track- doubtless a greater application of chakra to his legs that allowed him to move that way. His attacks utilized the same principle to drive the blade toward Shigeo in a vicious staccato. So, it really came down to the shape and flow of the chakra they were able to weave.
And so, Shigeo made a gambit of his own. Focusing the chakra in his left foot into a denser and more compact state at his heel, as he took his next wide step backward, he drove it downward, applying greater force. The sudden burst of energy blew a divot into the concrete of the Great Bridge, a sound obfuscated in its entirety by the storm above. It would appear that Shigeo was attempting to put a bit more distance between them by kicking off the ground, unless Kaoru happened to look down and see what happened for himself.
If not, then there was the chance he might trip in said divot, and his sudden flash of blades might be momentarily stifled.
[691 words]
Training: 6/8
Tokonatsu Kaoru