[ published on 1 Jan 2019, 12.00am ]

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Dear Itsuko,

Thanks for your daily letters. I'm sorry I don't think I'll be able to reply to them tomorrow. Unfortunately, Asuma died while facing The Akatsuki members. His funeral will be held two days from now. I'm sure his team will go take revenge for their sensei but I don't think they would handle on their own despite their intelligence and strengths. I plan on helping them out.

Hope you return soon. The Anbu is falling apart and I miss you.

Love,

Kakashi.

"Since when have I become a mail man for lovers?" Kozaki grunted just as Itsuko finished reading the letter. She gave him a soft smile, "you're my mail man. It's very different."

"Doesn't seem too different to me. Anyways, how many times are you going to read that over?" Kozaki looked at her oddly since she read the letter while she walked back to Konoha.

She tucked the letter into her pocket, "just needed to be sure I didn't return too early. And I'm back, again."

Itsuko glanced around before teleporting to The Hokage's office. It was empty apart from the pile of paper work and Shizune looking around for Tsunade. "By any chance have you seen Lady Tsunade? I can't find her anywhere."

Without answering Shizune, Itsuko walked out of the office, to the forbidden room. She stood in front of the door, giving it a rhythmic tap, it opened.

Tsunade shot up from her chair, staring at the door where Itsuko stood. "It's you. Glad to know you finally decided to return."

"Why does it matter?" Itsuko laughed sarcastically, walking along the row of books.

"How do you do it? There was a 95% success rate of all Anbu missions while you were captain. The success rate dropped rapidly while you weren't in-charge. Oddly, many employers requested for you to be Captain again." Tsunade stared at the books, avoiding Itsuko.

"That's horrible. It's back to how it was. Who'd you put as Captain?" Itsuko said calmly, seemingly not worried at all.

"Shiro. He was the one with most potential amongst everyone." Tsunade answered confidently still avoiding eye contact with Itsuko. She had read through Anbu records and found Shiro, he had many missions done and was a strong Anbu so she thought he has much potential and chose him.

Itsuko laughed upon hearing her response, "Shiro? Seriously? Even Kiyoshi would have been a better pick. Listen, Shiro is a playful guy most times. He may have a lot of missions done since he's one of the older members of my team but he's really not a guy for leading."

Tsunade looked away, the both not speaking for a few minutes. "Don't you think it's weird I'm allowed into this room?" Itsuko retrieved a book from the shelves, reading it through as she spoke.

"Why are you allowed? No one else is besides The Hokage."

"I'd say it's because Minato trusted me when everyone else didn't." Itsuko answered, placing the book back while she walked along the shelves, arriving at a table that sat at the end of the room.

"You aren't allowed to open that drawer, they say it's cursed." Tsunade warned, getting closer to Itsuko.

"Was that what Minato told everyone?" Itsuko said with a slight chuckle, opening the drawer. Tsunade looked at her, worried. "It's fine, it isn't cursed."

"I'll return your memories, but I need your trust." Itsuko activated her sharingan, bringing back the memories she removed from her. Her memories of their conversation before she became Hokage. Itsuko took out a book from the drawer and handed it over to Tsunade. "This book has real information."

Tsunade placed her hand on her head as she dropped down onto a chair, wide eyed. She flipped through the book Itsuko passed to her. Her eyes full of sympathy and guilt when she looked up at Itsuko. She quickly apologised for her previous actions and mean words, seeking for Itsuko's understanding and trust.

"Don't look at me like that, it's fine." Itsuko replied. Despite her tough past, she never enjoyed being pitied. She felt that everyone should be treated equally.

"Why did you suddenly decide to trust me?" Tsunade asked out of curiosity. After all, Itsuko had refused to do so multiple times. What could possibly make her change her mind?

"I was reminded about something in the past." She gave Tsunade a calm look. "I'll be headed to the Anbu. There are things I need to fix."

-

"Itsuko, just who are you..? Even the Hokage doesn't know a thing about you, nothing." Minato bent down to her height, looking into her eyes as he spoke.

Itsuko gave him an innocent look. "Why would he? I'm me."

"Everyone has their information recorded with the Hokage. There's no reason why you don't. Especially since you're so strong." Minato explained. He knew she was strong. She was going as well. Normally, children like her would have special attention given, making sure they don't fall to the wrong path.

"I don't exists, Minato. I'm not supposed to. I didn't attend any schooling. Plus, my existence being known would only spoil my parent's reputation. There was no way I would have been recorded down. Besides, isn't the Hokage just the same as everyone else? The Hokage is just like them, we've met before. He greeted everyone in the house, even Itachi. They talked about Itachi's achievements, how muh potential he holds. And me? Nothing." Itsuko said, her voice cracking.

Minato looked at her, his eyes filled with sadness. She was only a child, yet she was treated so horribly. She was forced to grow up. He couldn't blame her for having trust issues with people.

"Itsuko, even if the whole world is against you, you need the Hokage on your side. He'll help you, I'm sure it's just a misunderstanding. Have some trust in the Hokage alright?"