[There’s no response to the criticism. But, judging by the unhappy grimace twisting his expression, Naruto understands the reality of the situation well. Sheer dumb luck has saved his ass in the last several missions where he failed to summon his usual arsenal of clones; that luck will run out sooner than later. Still, it isn’t as if he hasn’t tried mastering this jutsu through a one-handed seal. If he can manage to figure out Sexy Technique while handicapped, it’s just a matter of time before he perfects Shadow Clone Jutsu. Or so Naruto tells himself.
Sasuke’s chakra brushes up against his own—a channel of cool water, surface dark, impenetrable, and offering no estimate of how terrifyingly deep it runs. Naruto doesn’t shy from it the way that others have; instead, the blond greets his friend’s chakra with a small, wry smile. For the last year, Sasuke has been locked away in the dungeons, his powers sealed. Dual resonance strained to make connection, lost. Their current circumstances may not be favorable, but at least they’re together again.
Two clones burst into existence. After sharing a wordless nod with Naruto, they sprint off in either direction.]
Alright. Let’s keep going.
[In the end, it’s the clone that headed west that stumbles across the chapel. It almost doesn’t believe that it has found the right location—no monsters are in sight—until it sees the well. Dumbfounded, the clone circles the dilapidated building three times in search of the gargoyles, blissfully unaware that the monsters in question watch its every move behind unmoving stone eyes. Eventually, the clone decides that the monsters guarding the chapel must be on their lunch break and dissipates to relay this information to Naruto.]
—ah. [He pauses, absorbing the intel.] Wrong direction. It’s this way.
[Once the two shinobi have adjusted their pathing, Naruto explains what the clone found.]
…Weird that there aren’t any monsters, though. Maybe they only come out at night? Might explain how this person managed to get in there in the first place to lose the ring.
no subject
Sasuke’s chakra brushes up against his own—a channel of cool water, surface dark, impenetrable, and offering no estimate of how terrifyingly deep it runs. Naruto doesn’t shy from it the way that others have; instead, the blond greets his friend’s chakra with a small, wry smile. For the last year, Sasuke has been locked away in the dungeons, his powers sealed. Dual resonance strained to make connection, lost. Their current circumstances may not be favorable, but at least they’re together again.
Two clones burst into existence. After sharing a wordless nod with Naruto, they sprint off in either direction.]
Alright. Let’s keep going.
[In the end, it’s the clone that headed west that stumbles across the chapel. It almost doesn’t believe that it has found the right location—no monsters are in sight—until it sees the well. Dumbfounded, the clone circles the dilapidated building three times in search of the gargoyles, blissfully unaware that the monsters in question watch its every move behind unmoving stone eyes. Eventually, the clone decides that the monsters guarding the chapel must be on their lunch break and dissipates to relay this information to Naruto.]
—ah. [He pauses, absorbing the intel.] Wrong direction. It’s this way.
[Once the two shinobi have adjusted their pathing, Naruto explains what the clone found.]
…Weird that there aren’t any monsters, though. Maybe they only come out at night? Might explain how this person managed to get in there in the first place to lose the ring.