Despite it All

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Yuno's POV (Nearby Ruined Den - Western River Plains)

Evening

Yuno also allowed herself to fall under her Genjutsu as she stepped off Tamaki in the illusion of relaxing. This Genjutsu was complex but ultimately simple. She simply imagined a small dark room where she could project her memories. This illusion, however, was merely meant to aid Yuno in sharing information and convincing others of its legitimacy. Not to fool as such, Yuno believed it bely whatever defense had aided Tamaki thus far.

Yuno sat on nothing as Tamaki's head whipped around in alarm. Yuno scoffed at it, allowing the woman to shake off the worst of her shock before beginning.

"This is like before… Master warned me of this ability of humans… illusions, you managed to snag me… just like before…" Tamaki said, confused. "I managed to escape one before!"

"This one is considerably more powerful." Yuno countered calmly beside the angry woman. A complete bluff, in truth, with the talent Tamaki had shown thus far, she'd likely be able to escape. But she likely didn't realize such… "Besides, no need to escape. I intend you no harm. Merely want to show you truly who Blechumi is."

"Like I'd believe a human like you…"

"And yet you don't escape or attempt to attack me." Yuno pointed out. "You're interested, I can tell. Don't believe me, but I'm interested all the same. Just hear out, fellow human. I think you might learn something."

"I am a member of the Neeko Clan first, the pupil of my master second, and human last." Tamaki bit back. "Humans are liars and degenerates; it is why my Master fled to Terra in the first place. He has trained me to be anything but human."

"Your Master fled from the Elemental Nations to escape being hunted. Knowing that creep for some sort of crime. But I'm not stupid enough to take my word for it." Yuno explained. "As such, I intend to show you."

The sudden wall furthest from them glowed a bright white as it turned into an image. "This Genjutsu is one made to display my memories objectively. I cannot control what it shows; that being said, I wouldn't need to make your Master look bad."

It was from Yuno's own perspective. Her vision was somewhat blocked by her face being shoved into the ground but revealed the scene before her as she struggled against her captors. In front of her was an equally held and struggling Kiba. He was cursing and crying out in pain as several wolves held him down by clamping down on his limbs. Yuno was helpless to help as she was similarly held down.

Suddenly, the vision stilled, portraying the stillness that had suddenly overcome Yuno. The sight of Choji made it more eerie, as he also froze. The wolves whined as they left the two of them and walked off, leaving them with the soft steps of their new captor.

"Poor humans are so helpless and foolish. When in the presence of their betters, they become no different than an insect, terrified and helpless." Blechumi chided as he arrived before the two. He snapped his fingers as two glowing strands of thread emerged from his back and hovered in front of the frozen faces of Yuno and Choji. "Fret not under my service. You will be the gifted purpose, the unwilling soldiers of my future…" The illusion faded as Yuno and Tamaki returned to the real world.

Tamaki had stopped struggling as Yuno watched her with rapt attention.

"How did you… know all of that, his techniques, the Runic Wolves… you shouldn't have known that…" Tamaki asked, confused, through struggling breaths.

"It was my memory, not a mere illusion," Yuno answered. "It seems your Master has hidden much from you."

"No! You deserved it!"

"No one deserves that Tamaki… to be enslaved, to have their will nullified purely because they stand opposed to you?"

Tamaki didn't respond, but ugly tears pooled in her eyes. "No… surely the mentor of the Neeko wouldn't… He knows better…"

"He did. And this isn't about better, this about torturing and mistreating anything he considers lesser… are you truly all that to him?"

"He loves me!"

"And yet he leaves you in combat against a foe he couldn't be certain you could defeat."

"Proof of his faith!"

"Proof that you're his pawn… just like the Blechumi…" Yuno now shared images of her time with the Blechumi Clan and their love and faith in their founder.

"I can't. We, Neeko, have helped him for years. What has our aid been used for? Who have I devoted myself to?" Tamaki asked, stunned and so rocked that she didn't even attempt to climb to her feet after Yuno lifted her foot and stepped back.

"Kami knows what," Yuno responded simply. "But you are interesting, interesting enough that I think it'd be a shame for you to die or spend life in prison. So… if you wanted to make up for your sins, you could help us stop them… it'd allow you to see what real humans are like, at the very least… and make sure he doesn't do what he did to the Neeko and Blechumi to you."

"I… I have to watch my… Blechumi's battle. I will not interfere, but I must see if he survives against your friends…" Tamaki responded brokenly. Having her worldview questioned amid combat had wreaked a toll on her.

Yuno's eyes hardened as she subtly prepared to spit out a fireball at Tamaki at such close range she'd be helpless to dodge. It'd be a shame after her efforts to turn her, but Yuno couldn't afford for her to risk her friends…

"If they can't stop him I will…" Tamaki declared.

Yuno sighed in relief at the response before offering a hand to Tamaki and raising her to her feet. "Like I said, we're needed elsewhere; whoever is running that barrier is doing something to the Chakra Anchor. From what the Okama says, not only is that the only way for us to return home, but it could also have all sorts of negative effects on Terra. We need to go ahead; I can assure you Naruto and Sasuke will give Blechumi everything he deserves and more…"

"Your…" Tamaki trailed off. Right… let's go ahead. I can sense something flaring from the barrier. It seems your allies have done something to it; if so, they'll need us."

"Need us?" Yuno asked with a raised brow.

"Blechumi, before we came here, had allied with another party. After meeting them, he warned me they were absurdly powerful… They planned to gain control of Terra. If your friends intend to stop them, they'll need all the help they can get." Tamaki explained.

"Then let's go, my newest friend," Yuno said with a smile. The two soaked women wasted no more time racing to find the others.