Saix heard the movement rather than saw it, and was caught off his guard when a foot made contact with the side of his head, knocking him off balance so he had to spin and back up to stay on his feet.

Someone wasn't playing this time.

The ground shifted under him as he moved, which was irritating because he could feel it slowing him down, and even compensating with chakra didn't entirely eliminate the problem. Saix was used to hunting in deserts, but he was used to slower, weaker opponents in them, when the differences mattered less.

He swung his claymore around and charged, swinging as he came. If his opponent wasn't playing around this time, Saix didn't intend to waste time either.