While it isn't the first mystery substance/animal/creature-of-ether he's had hurtled at him in a dungeon, they haven't exactly been positive experiences. Just like it'd been with the books a few rooms earlier, Naruto's reflex isn't to reach for magic, it's to push off against the ground and start running. Because of that decision, the matagots don't make a beeline for his head, but they do scratch and bite ferociously. One clamps its teeth into the bare bend of his elbow, snapping down hard enough that he winces, but doesn't stop.
If he's going to miss anything about the fighting back home, it's this- feeling like he was part of a team. When he was a kid, Team 7 had spent most of their time struggling to understand who went where, what everyone's limits were- their strengths and weaknesses and in that was the constant need to protect one another. He hasn't found a team that works quite the same way here, but the sentiment exists. He's aware of Setsuna gauging the scene and of Sakura immediately casting magic to buff her teammates. It isn't well oiled familiarity, but they have a sort of instinctive chemistry that he falls into without thinking about it.
Naruto goes sprinting without a cautionary look back, closing in on the Mistress from a wide arc as he tugs the short knives from the holster at his thigh and sends them flying. Looks like his approach is up close and personal. Not really a surprise.]
no subject
While it isn't the first mystery substance/animal/creature-of-ether he's had hurtled at him in a dungeon, they haven't exactly been positive experiences. Just like it'd been with the books a few rooms earlier, Naruto's reflex isn't to reach for magic, it's to push off against the ground and start running. Because of that decision, the matagots don't make a beeline for his head, but they do scratch and bite ferociously. One clamps its teeth into the bare bend of his elbow, snapping down hard enough that he winces, but doesn't stop.
If he's going to miss anything about the fighting back home, it's this- feeling like he was part of a team. When he was a kid, Team 7 had spent most of their time struggling to understand who went where, what everyone's limits were- their strengths and weaknesses and in that was the constant need to protect one another. He hasn't found a team that works quite the same way here, but the sentiment exists. He's aware of Setsuna gauging the scene and of Sakura immediately casting magic to buff her teammates. It isn't well oiled familiarity, but they have a sort of instinctive chemistry that he falls into without thinking about it.
Naruto goes sprinting without a cautionary look back, closing in on the Mistress from a wide arc as he tugs the short knives from the holster at his thigh and sends them flying. Looks like his approach is up close and personal. Not really a surprise.]