If you show another person no intent, send them no sign, then you can strike them before they can react.
It is within the ability of all of us to move someone just using our mind. Example, stand behind someone with your hands just above their shoulders and imagine energy flowing, either forward or back. They will be drawn to move in your chosen direction.
An assassin creeping up behind their victim, never focusses on the victim for fear that they will be alerted by some subtle sense.
Perhaps you might also consider an interpretation of the following. What reasoning would you apply?
Ian liked feeding the birds, but he didn’t want to feed the squirrel that raided the bird table. He tried a lot of things to no avail and so purchased a powerful water pistol. As the squirrel fed, Ian would approach, raise the pistol and even place his finger on the trigger. The squirrel kept eating. The moment Ian squeezed the trigger, the squirrel was gone. Well fed, and bone dry. Did it sense his intent to attack?
There was a man who lived near Inverness, there were many birds of prey in the area and when he walked in the countryside alone, they kept well away from him. On the days when he walked with a captive bred raptor, the wild birds of prey paid him no heed and came close. Your guess is as good as mine, but I do think it has value to us, if we choose to examine it.
Both O-Sensei and Tohei at different times, demonstrated the ability to ‘dodge the bullet’. Now, did they wait for the bang and use superhuman reflexes to move out of the way? Or did they in some way ‘connect’ with the minds of the shooters? Or was it a complete fake and the shooters weren’t aiming properly?
What has any of this to do with aikido? Quite possibly a great deal.
Best wishes