The tale of Mayumi

Chapter 79 - Reporting Back

Mayumi and Kakashi strolled through the Konoha gates, looking like two very different people.

Mayumi? Practically glowing, radiating pure satisfaction like she had just come back from an all-expenses-paid vacation.

Kakashi? Dead inside.

Hikaru was already waiting for them at the Hokage's office, arms crossed but grinning. "You two are finally back. What took so long?"

"Camping," Mayumi answered cheerfully.

Hikaru snorted. "Camping or hiding from consequences?"

Kakashi exhaled loudly and pushed open the office doors. "Both."

Inside, Naruto was sitting at his desk, eagerly waiting for their report. Next to him, Shikamaru already looked like he had a headache.

Naruto beamed. "You guys made it back in one piece!"

Shikamaru sighed, rubbing his temples. "For now." He glanced at Kakashi, then Mayumi. "...Alright. Let's hear it."

Kakashi, ever the professional, started to summarize the mission—until Mayumi cut in.

"So first of all, the cover story was amazing. We were power couple criminals. I had a whole backstory ready—"

Shikamaru pinched the bridge of his nose. "Mayumi."

"Right, right, okay." She waved him off. "Long story short, everything was going perfectly until some jerk at the auction recognized Kakashi and outed us."

Hikaru's grin widened. "So naturally, you—"

"Threw a chair at him," Kakashi finished flatly.

Hikaru cackled.

Shikamaru groaned. "So instead of gathering intel, you flipped an entire auction house upside down?"

Mayumi held up a finger. "Technically, I only flipped three tables."

Kakashi exhaled like he had aged ten years on that mission.

Naruto, however, was nodding along. "Honestly, it sounds like a pretty solid strategy."

Shikamaru turned to him, scandalized. "Don't encourage her."

Naruto shrugged. "What? No one got the scrolls, the enemy's base of operations was dismantled, and the leader fled with nothing." He looked back at Mayumi. "That's a win in my book."

Mayumi smirked victoriously and shot Shikamaru finger guns.

Shikamaru just stared at her like she was a walking migraine. "I hate that this technically worked."

Kakashi muttered under his breath, "I should've just stayed retired."

Naruto leaned forward, hands clasped. "Well, sounds like a mission success. Good job, guys."

Mayumi grinned. "See? Even the Hokage approves."

Shikamaru waved them off. "Yeah, yeah, just go. Before I start rethinking my life choices."

Mayumi grabbed Kakashi's arm, dragging him toward the door. "Come on, old man, we're going home."

As they stepped outside, she stretched and sighed happily. "That was fun."

Kakashi gave her a sideways look. "Fun?"

"Yes, fun." She beamed at him. "And next time, I'm taking you on a vacation mission."

Kakashi immediately shook his head. "Absolutely not."

"Ohhh, yes."

Kakashi sighed, already regretting everything.