Hiruzen: I agree. If we cannot guarantee the loyalty of the people who teach our children, we cannot blame them for doing no better than we.
Short version
Yuuhi Kurenai swaps Naruto onto her genin team in place of Kiba, hoping that his presence will help to boost Hinata's confidence, and that his combat potential will help to keep the reconnaissance-focused team members safe.
Longer version
At the Hokage's request, Kurenai Yuuhi has agreed to take on a genin team, one which specializes in reconnaissance. She is reluctant due to a past tragedy involving her team. Awakening early to observe the newly graduated genins of the academy, she considers Shino Aburame, Kiba Inuzuka, and Hinata Hyuuga. Kurenai takes note of the latter's timidity and affection for Naruto Uzumaki.
Kurenai meets the other jonin leaders at the Hokage's tower. News arrives that a forbidden scroll was stolen by Naruto. Iruka Umino leaves to find him, and later returns to reveal Mizuki's betrayal and that Naruto has passed the exam. As teams are about to be decided, Kurenai offers to take Naruto on her team with Shino and Hinata, citing, among other reasons, that she does not want to overspecialize in reconnaissance. She also notes the ostracization Naruto has received at the hands of other students (including Sasuke and Sakura) and their parents. Hiruzen agrees to the arrangement, and Kakashi takes on Kiba.
At the academy, Hinata is surprised to see Naruto has passed, and more elated when she is announced to be on Team 8 with him and Shino. At lunch, Hinata talks with Shino, who speculates that they are to be a scouting team, but is bemused by Naruto's inclusion. He further speculates on sinister reasons that the adults dislike him, even theorizing it may not be Naruto's fault. Hinata is angered by how Naruto is treated, and declares that Naruto will become Hokage.
Upset by the team assignments, Naruto enacts a plan to kidnap and impersonate Sasuke. Transformed into Sasuke, he asks Sakura how she feels about Naruto. Sakura expresses her distaste for him and her joy at not being on his team. Heartbroken, Naruto returns to the academy classroom. Iruka introduces Naruto, Hinata, and Shino to Kurenai.
Kurenai leads them to the playground and introduces herself as a genjutsu specialist who would like to make them a reconnaissance team. Naruto introduces himself as the future Hokage. Shino introduces himself as an Aburame who would like to master his clan abilities. Hinata reveals her dream to earn the acknowledgement of her father and someone else (presumably Naruto).
Kurenai has them meet her at training ground number nineteen at the south border of Konoha for a skill assessment. There, Kurenai explains the nature of a reconnnaissance team, and the roles each member would play. Hinata's eyes can spy on the enemy, Shino's insects can serve as scouts, and Naruto's shadow clones would work as a distraction for an escape. Kurenai tests them in taijutsu, and recognizes Naruto's need for corrective instruction. Naruto also demonstrates his Multiple Shadow Clone Technique.
Kurenai concludes the meeting and schedules another for the next day. To speak with him alone, she takes Naruto to dinner at Moritake's cafe. She discusses the reasons for the negative behavior of the villagers with him, and also his dream of becoming Hokage. To this end, she agrees to arrange specialized training for him. She also notes his glaring orange outfit, and decides to take him shopping for new equipment the next day. Displeased by how Naruto is treated, she resolves to meet with Hiruzen in the morning.
Tropes:
- Glowing Eyes of Doom/Red Eyes, Take Warning: Kurenai, who already has red eyes, possesses a genjutsu that makes them glow. She uses it to intimidate others, like hostile villagers.
- Highly-Visible Ninja: Discussed by Kurenai, who takes issue with Naruto's bright orange clothes, and ultimately decides to defy this trope.
- The Insomniac: Due to the tragedy that struck her team, Kurenai spends half her nights reading.
- Original Character: Moritake, the owner of a small cafe.
- The Quiet One: Hinata is a bit disconcerted when she realizes that Shino is even less talkative than she is.
- Retired Badass: Moritake is a retired shinobi who lost much of his left leg to an explosive tag in a war with Iwagakure.
- "Well Done, Son" Guy: Hinata reveals this to be her ambition to her team.
