The tale of Mayumi

Chapter 67 - Priorities? What Priorities?

The tavern was buzzing with life—laughter, the clinking of glasses, and the occasional sound of someone losing at a drinking game. Right in the middle of the chaos, Mayumi and Hikaru sat at their usual table, looking way too relaxed for people who had just returned from a dangerous mission.

Hikaru downed a shot, slamming the glass on the table. "Okay, but seriously, you should've seen their faces when you lifted all five of them into the air at once. Priceless."

Mayumi chuckled, swirling her sake cup. "I did see their faces. It was right in front of me."

"Still. Best moment of my life."

Just as Mayumi was about to refill her drink, the tavern door slammed open. A familiar silver-haired Hokage stood in the doorway, arms crossed, radiating the energy of a very annoyed man.

Hikaru blinked. "Oh... hey, Kakashi."

Mayumi grinned. "You made it! Want a drink?"

Kakashi slowly approached their table, gaze shifting between the two. His eye twitched. "You're drinking?"

Mayumi raised a brow. "Yes?"

"You just got back."

"Yes."

"You didn't report in."

Mayumi sipped her drink. "We were going to... eventually."

Kakashi pinched the bridge of his nose. "The mission was for intel. Intel, Mayumi."

Mayumi and Hikaru exchanged a look.

Kakashi groaned. "You weren't supposed to knock them all out."

Mayumi shrugged. "Well, technically, they're still available for interrogation. They're just a little... unconscious."

Hikaru snorted. "For at least a few more hours."

Kakashi took a deep breath, obviously trying to stay calm. "That's not how gathering intel works."

"Agree to disagree."

Kakashi turned to Hikaru. "And you—you should be in the hospital. You're covered in bruises and cuts."

Hikaru flexed his arm. "Eh, I've had worse."

"You're literally bleeding."

Hikaru glanced down at his sleeve, which did, in fact, have blood soaking through it. He shrugged. "That's what sake is for."

Kakashi exhaled sharply. "Sake is not medical treatment."

Mayumi leaned back, stretching her arms behind her head. "We handled the mission. The bad guys are in custody, Hikaru is alive, and I didn't kill anyone. All in all? I'd say it was a success."

Kakashi stared at her. "You levitated five grown men across the entire village and dropped them in front of ANBU headquarters."

Mayumi grinned. "Yeah, that was hilarious."

Hikaru chuckled. "The way they flopped on the ground? Chef's kiss."

Kakashi sighed, rubbing his temple. "You know what? Fine. I give up." He grabbed Mayumi's cup and took a sip of her sake, ignoring her offended gasp. "Drink up, celebrate. But you're explaining everything to the council tomorrow."

Mayumi pouted. "Ugh, fine."

Hikaru grinned. "So... you are drinking with us?"

Kakashi glared at him but took another sip. "...Shut up."