As Kakashi stepped onto the academy grounds, a hard blow slammed into his left side. Before he could react, he crashed into a building, the impact jarring him to his core.
He quickly executed a backflip, landing gracefully on his feet, his movements fluid despite the sudden attack.
_What was that?_ Kakashi thought, wincing as he tried to straighten up. _My… my hand's broken!_
If he hadn't instinctively blocked the attack with his arm, the blow would have broken his neck. He felt a sharp, searing pain in his right arm.
"I bet you didn't expect that, did you?" a deep, muscular voice roared from the other side of the shattered wall. "Why didn't you dodge that one? Still going easy on me?" The voice was laced with amusement and a hint of barely-concealed arrogance.
Although the wall was severely damaged, Kakashi could only make out a shadowy silhouette. As the man approached, his features gradually became clearer.
