Sarutobi took a deep drag from his pipe, and let the smoke of his favorite tobacco swirl in his lungs. The recent debriefing with the newly formed team 8 had gone rather well. The fact that it let him have a much needed conversation with the boy he saw as an adopted grandson. The fact that it involved his friends was a surprisingly pleasant bonus.

Especially since both girls had apparently helped Naruto realize the very thing the aged hokage had wanted to discuss with him. They also showed no signs of wanting to abandon him either. Which was what he had hoped for. Though he couldn't say he expected this kind of situation. Though it was behind them now. And thus no longer really mattered.

That conversation in and of itself wasn't a hundred percent pleasant either. The kids hadn't been entirely happy with his reasons, though they were smart and mature enough to understand them. That was honestly enough.

Luckily that unpleasantness was balanced out with a combination of a humorous after action report, the sight of the team's jonin leader being carried in by special jonin Anko, and the academic discovery of a more or less true henge.

That last one had been a fascinating discussion. It hadn't been easy to follow the young Hyuga's instructions, despite her efforts, but he eventually succeeded. The difference was substantial. He FELT different. Which brought thoughts about his wayward student to the forefront of his mind. She supposedly wore a younger appearance everywhere she went. If it was anything like what he could do now… Well he might start wearing a younger face himself. If only to mess with some of the people who wanted to meet with him.

He let out a large plane of smoke with a single sigh. He supposed it was time to start the far less pleasant debrief.

"So who wants to explain why a group of freshly graduated academy students were able to best a jonin and a special jonin?"

His gaze fell on the other two occupants in his office. The newly graduated team had been allowed to leave to prepare for the first day as an actual team tomorrow. That allowed him to talk to the young ladies who had tested them privately.

Kurenai refused to meet his eyes as her cheeks reddened, and Anko laughed as she scratched the back of her head.

"I'll admit that I underestimated them despite reading the files myself." The dango lover confessed. "As impressive as their achievements were, they had mostly been against civilian or retired targets. I figured they would still be too inexperienced to deal with Nai and me. Though thinking back, one of their targets had been this very office, so I should have at least suspected how ballsy they would be."

The hokage nodded. The reason was at least understandable and well reasoned. This would also hopefully be a good lesson. Underestimating an opponent almost never ended well. Overestimating wasn't healthy in the long run either, but it was better to be over prepared than under.

He nodded before turning his gaze on Kurenai. The young jonin seemed to find his desk fascinating. "I focused on the wrong part of the file." She confessed without looking up.

It took him several seconds to figure out what she meant. What part of the file would make her forget everything else. He let out another sigh as it came to him. He massaged the bridge of his nose and eyes with his thumb and pointer finger.

At least she had the good grace to look embarrassed.

"I'm going to assume you mean young Naruto's prank jutsu?" There was a nod. "I will admit it is a bit immature, especially seeing his growth over the last few years. However, I am sure it is harmless. Who knows it might even prove itself useful, though its target range is quite low I'm sure."

His reassurance triggered snickering from Anko, who in turn nudged Kurenai's ribs with her elbow. The other woman's cheeks reddened further. He was missing something. Apparently something had been left out of the report he had been given. He was going to have to bring that up next time. Even if it was for good reason, and relatively harmless this time, such dropped details could create problems down the line. He narrowed his eyes as he patiently waited to be let in on the joke.

Eventually the special jonin was able to control her mirth enough to explain. "That brat figured out the same thing. So he created a technique where he and his clones become various handsome men. I'm sure in time he will be changing up the looks of his 'sexy form' as well. The reverse harem jutsu was quite effective. Wasn't it Nai?"

"Shut up. I wasn't the one that passed out."

"What can I say, the kid has potential. He just needs to be shown the ropes."

The aged leader gently coughed into his hand. It had the intended effect of drawing both women out of their argument, and focused on him again. "As fascinating as that is, I take it that it won't be a problem anymore?"

"No sir. His use of it, and attitude aren't as I expected. I will take this, and him, seriously for now on."

He nodded towards her. "Good. I gave you this second chance because I believe in you." He pretended to ignore her wince. "So I appreciate you learning from this. Now I believe you have things to get ready for. Dismissed." He watched both women salute before quickly leaving his office. He took another puff from his pipe. Perhaps that last bit was a bit too harsh. However, she did need to learn, and as the professor he would make sure she did.

After all he knew the results of not learning them personally. If he could help it, no one else under him would do so.

Kurenai had held doubts. Even after she was forced to admit she was wrong she held them. That just showed how much she knew. How well she looked underneath the underneath. Even after being friends with Anko for so long.

She should've known better. Luckily she could learn. Even luckier, her students didn't hold grudges. They hadn't been happy, but they were forgiving. Especially when they started to get into a routine of sorts.

Wake up, meet up in the late morning to early afternoon, warm-up, get a D rank mission, complete it, do some training, and part ways for the day. Lunch or dinner might be sprinkled somewhere in there depending on how the day went. They might even do two missions instead of one. Turns out a group of well coordinated shadow clones were helpful for menial tasks.

There was more than a little grumbling at the day after day of D ranks, but that was all it was. A bit of complaining even as they did their tasks, and did them well. The money they made probably helped. The training seemingly did.

She had gone slowly at first. Felt out her students. She had files saying where they stood, but she wanted to see exactly how far they had already come with her own eyes. It turned out that Iruka had been right. Hinata and Sakura both had very fine chakra control. Naruto, on the other hand, didn't. Even with Hinata's help he couldn't seem to make his chakra follow the right patterns. Even when she had them learn tree walking to help them refine their control further. Though even with help it still took Naruto a couple of days to get up the tree without it exploding.

In the end Naruto still got a use out of training. By learning how it felt to be under various genjutsu. As his teammates learned how to use them. It probably wasn't the greatest trade-off, but he took it in stride. In fact the three of them were making great progress. That combined with their maturity made her next choice quite simple.

"Ah, back again." The Hokage greeted them with a gentle smile as he gestured to a small stack of scrolls. "I have quite the selection today."

"Actually Sir, I would like to request a C rank for my team today."

She felt the eyes of not just her leader, but her team fall upon her. The aging leader studied her closely. "It hasn't been all that long. Are you sure they are ready?"

"Yes sir."

He turned his gaze onto her students who stood up a bit straight. Though she could see Naruto practically vibrating in place. The older ninja smiled as he reached into a drawer, and extracted a single scroll. "Very well. As it happens, I have one available." He gestured to an aide who moved over to a side. As the aide opened the door, and talked to someone on the other side, the hokage handed her the scroll.

"So this is to be my escort then?" An older gentleman in a white coat with two rows of buttons along the front asked as he approached. "They look a little young."

"I assure you that this team, along with their jonin teacher, should be more than capable of protecting you."

"I'm sure I like being used as a training exercise for your trainees, but I suppose they need to learn sometime."

The hokage nodded. Kurenai couldn't help but notice the frown on Naurto's lips. Though he luckily stayed quiet. As did the others, though they looked equally unhappy being talked about like that.

The hokage turned his gaze on them. "Team 8 this is Gin Glaze, a baker on his way to the land of flour for a special competition. You are to protect him, his assistant, and his supplies from attack on the way there. Upon reaching the location of the competition, you will be free to return."

Her students silently nodded in understanding. She did the same. She would of course read the actual contract in detail afterward, but for now this would be fine.

"We will leave tomorrow morning from the west gate." Their client added. "I would like to leave by mid-morning." He then turned, and left without even waiting for acknowledgement. Rather rude of him.

"Great, not only are we guarding a grumpy old man, our first mission is going to be boring." Naruto lamented.

"What makes you say that Naruto?" Hinata asked

"Oh come on. Who is going to try and rob a baker?"

Durward Grimm turned his head towards the sound of wagon wheels, and horses. He smiled to himself as he and his crew sank lower into the underbrush. Their target was drawing near. He was sure of it. After all, there aren't many paths through the land of fire that led to the land of flour.

It kind of irked him that his crew and him were attacking a baker of all things, and stealing his supplies. However, it was decent pay for what should be a simple job. Oh, there was a chance the old fool had picked up an escort, but he doubted it. Who would hire some ninja just to protect some flour and sugar? A minute later, he was proven right. On the cart laden with supplies, and pulled a pair of horses, was an older man and a younger woman. They matched the descriptions he had been given for the old baker and his assistant. They were the only ones in sight. The baker looked a bit grumpier than he would have expected, but neither target looked nervous. They were obviously not expecting trouble. Excellent.

In the next moment their target spotted the road block, and was forced to stop his cart. In that instant he and the lads stood up with weapons drawn. The look of sheer surprise on their prey's faces was worth it. "This is actually happening?" the old fool asked.

Durward laughed as he approached. "Yes, it is." He pointed his sword towards them for emphasis. "Now get off the cart. We'll be taking it." You know, up close, that assistant WAS kind of cute. "On second thought," He moved his sword so it was pointing at the girl. "You stay there. I think we will take you too."

The girl opened her mouth to protest, but her boss gestured for her to stay quiet as he climbed down. "You aren't going to get away with this." He swore.

Durward laughed again. "And who is going to stop us? No one is even going to know what happened." He swung his sword one handed. The blade hit the old fool where the shoulder met the neck. The old man then exploded into a cloud of smoke. "Wha-"

As if a switch was flipped, the sounds of pained groans filled the air. One of his men screamed as a nasty cracking sound was heard. However, as he moved to turn around, he felt cold steel against his throat, and a soft body against his back. Not that he could think about either as a voice dripping with venom filled his ears. "I believe we will know, and you are going to fill us in on what is going on."

It looked like he was wrong, and things had turned quite grim for him.

He hated irony.