Colosseum - Round 1, Group B - Kakashi Hatake vs Shulk

[Kakashi Hatake]

As the swordsmen stalled their quarreling for sake of recovery, Kakashi used the available moment to take stock of his opponent’s skills. So far the Anbu captain noted that Shulk seemed capable of matching his own speed, raising his defenses in time to parry nearly every strike the silver-haired shinobi had attempted. Also of interest was the shape-shifting sword; the boy’s blade seemed to be the source of the abilities he had thus far displayed, making it critical to his survival. Perhaps if he were to separate the warrior from his weapon?

Before the masked ninja could ponder the idea further, it was Shulk’s turn for offense. The flaxen-haired adolescent had collapsed his blade back into the familiar, more portable form and began dashing toward his tired foe. Being that he had quickly burned through a large amount of chakra in his last assault, the sharingan-wielder opted to stay put, bringing his blade before his chest in a defensive pose. Steel met steel once more as the younger slashed at the elder, his blows failing to reach their mark. Sensing the opportunity to barrel down on the obviously worn-out warrior, the blonde boy redoubled his efforts, swinging wildly at any opening.

“You will fall!” Shulk all but commanded, his blade finally sliding past Kakashi’s half-baked block. A look of satisfaction appeared on the teenager’s visage as blood issued from the wound.

The shinobi swordsman winced as the instrument tore into his flesh, springing backward and out of the crimson combatant’s range. He quickly examined the damage, surprised at what little damage the direct hit had dealt. The damage he had suffered was definitely not worth celebrating, though he had taken much worse. Hatake chalked this up to the boy’s apparent relative deficit of battle experience and his own lifelong physical training. Finally regaining his composure, the scarecrow sheathed his blade, a smile spreading under his Anbu mask.

“Giving up? I don’t think that’s an option,” the Monado-wielder taunted, dashing forward to take the initiative.

Kakashi readied himself, dropping his stance low and bracing for impact. As expected, Shulk swung his formidable blade eagerly, meeting his opponent’s exposed right shoulder with the ferocity of a butcher. The crimson blade dug painfully into his flesh, tearing at the muscle beneath. The scarecrow noted the damage, his suspicions now confirmed by the second injury. He turned his attention back to his foe, gaze locking on the boy’s intense stare. Here we go…

Shulk’s eyes widened in shock as his opponent quickly reached his arm across his chest, left hand immediately clamping on his sword-bearing wrist. Grunting in pain, Kakashi wrenched the blonde boy’s arm upward, freeing his blade from the wound. Without missing a beat, the shinobi threw his left shoulder forward, staggering the boy. Keeping a firm grip on the lad’s wrist, the ninja threw a savage haymaker, slugging him square in the stomach. Guy would approve, he thought.

The blonde warrior stumbled backward, freeing himself from the copy ninja's grip. Doubled over in pain, he raised his head to glare at his attacker. "You'll pay for that..."