The tale of Mayumi

Chapter 77 - The Real Enemy Steps In

The masked figure stood among the fallen auction-goers, completely at ease. Without a word, he moved, striking down any lingering fighters with swift, precise movements. Within seconds, the only people left conscious were Kakashi, Mayumi, and their new opponent.

Then, before either of them could react, the figure snatched up the jutsu scroll and made a break for the exit.

"Oh, hell no," Mayumi growled.

Kakashi barely had time to react before Mayumi grabbed his wrist and launched both of them into the air with her telekinesis.

"Mayumi—!" Kakashi's stomach lurched as they soared over the wreckage of the auction house and out into the night.

"What? You wanna run like a peasant?" she teased, effortlessly guiding them onto the rooftops.

Kakashi didn't dignify that with a response. Instead, he focused on their target—the masked figure was fast, leaping from building to building with inhuman agility.

But Mayumi was faster.

Still levitating, she reached out with her ability, grasping for the figure mid-air. The moment she got a hold of him, she yanked, But instead of freezing in place like most enemies would, the figure twisted unnaturally, a strange chakra pulse surging around them.

Mayumi's telekinetic grip shattered.

"What the—?!"

Before she could process what had happened, the figure flung a handful of explosive tags behind him.

Kakashi immediately threw an arm around Mayumi's waist and pulled them into a dive as the rooftop exploded, sending debris raining down below.

When the dust settled, a large section of the building had collapsed, leaving a gaping hole between them and their opponent.

"Shit!" Mayumi pushed herself up. "He's getting away—"

"Go," Kakashi said, already moving toward another route. "I'll meet you on the other side."

Mayumi hesitated for half a second before nodding. Without waiting, she flung herself over the ruined rooftop, catching an updraft with her abilities to propel herself forward.

The masked figure landed ahead of her, pausing for a split second—just long enough for Mayumi to catch up.

"Nowhere to run, asshole!"

She reached out again, this time pulling with all her strength.

The air around them shuddered as her power took hold, freezing the masked figure mid-step.

Got you.

She started to reel him back—

Then, a sharp pulse of chakra radiated outward, and the pressure around Mayumi's telekinesis snapped.

The masked figure landed smoothly, completely unaffected.

Mayumi's stomach dropped. What kind of jutsu was that?

Before she could recover, Kakashi reappeared, dropping down behind her. He took one glance at the situation, then wordlessly stepped forward, drawing a kunai.

Mayumi shook off her shock. "Okay, round two."

The battle that followed was fast and brutal. The masked figure fought with surgical precision—every movement calculated, every counter perfectly timed. But against both Kakashi and Mayumi, he was forced on the defensive.

Mayumi ducked low, sweeping her leg out. The masked figure jumped—

Kakashi was already waiting above him.

With a sharp twist, he forced him to the ground.

Mayumi moved to restrain him—

But the masked figure suddenly yanked out the jutsu scroll and set it on fire.

"No—!"

In seconds, the flames devoured the parchment, turning the stolen jutsu into nothing but ashes.

The masked figure took advantage of their shock, throwing down a smoke bomb and disappearing into the darkness.

By the time the smoke cleared, he was gone.

Mayumi scowled at the burnt remains of the scroll, crossing her arms. "Well. That's just fantastic."

Kakashi sighed. "At least he didn't escape with it."

She turned to him, a little too serious. "I couldn't stop him, Kakashi, he just broke out of it. That's never happened before."

Kakashi put a hand on her back, rubbing small circles. "We'll figure it out. For now, let's get back to Konoha."

Mayumi exhaled, then nodded.

"...Fine. But first, I'm looting this place. No way I'm leaving without that fire sword."