The surprise didn't stop him, but it did alter his trajectory. He yanked his leg out of the way and landed in a crouch, then leapt backwards with a burst of chakra in his legs.
The second attempt would be long-range, then--to deduce whether he was up against a close-combat fighter or someone versatile. He made the appropriate seals and sent a phoenix flower towards his opponent, small, twisting bursts of flame that he sent forwards in a volley.
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The surprise didn't stop him, but it did alter his trajectory. He yanked his leg out of the way and landed in a crouch, then leapt backwards with a burst of chakra in his legs.
The second attempt would be long-range, then--to deduce whether he was up against a close-combat fighter or someone versatile. He made the appropriate seals and sent a phoenix flower towards his opponent, small, twisting bursts of flame that he sent forwards in a volley.