Kurenai was at the training field, alongside Kakashi and Yugao. The three adults were discussing one particular blond.
"So, he's your student, huh?" Yugao asked behind her Anbu mask. Due to Naruto leaving, she often became cold and distant from everyone aside from Hayate.
"Yes. I'm concerned about him. I'm not sure how he'll do with having teammates." Kurenai said.
"I'd give him a chance, who knows, he might surprise us." Kakashi said lazily.
"I'm also concerned about Anko. Ever since that night, she hasn't been the same." Kurenai added.
"I still can't believe he did that. To be honest, I thought those two would never be separated." Yugao added in.
"I do have a suggestion but I don't know how you'll feel about it." Kakashi said.
"What is it?" Kurenai asked curiously.
"Why don't you bring Anko on as an assistant instructor? Not only will it give her the jonin status, but this might help with her and Naruto's emotional pain." The masked man said.
"You don't actually expect that to work, do you?" Kurenai asked.
"I agree with Kurenai. I don't believe that would be a wise idea." Yugao added in.
Kakashi sighed. "Look, I care about Naruto greatly. I think it's worth bringing to the Hokage and Anko. Worse case scenario, it doesn't happen. Best case, it does and everything works out." Kakashi said with a single eye smile.
"I guess it's worth a shot." Kurenai said in a low tone. The group agreed to end the conversation and Kurenai decided to pay the Hokage a visit.
When Kurenai entered the Hokage's office, it was as if the elderly kage knew what was on the woman's mind. "Kurenai, not even I can foresee what will happen." Hiruzen said in a stern, but honest tone.
"Lord Third, I don't know what to do. I want them to have their bond back, but I don't want to make it worse." Kurenai said.
"You know, Kurenai. I have reason to believe that the two of them are both facing obstacles they must overcome. I have an idea that I think would be a good, trial run, to see how they work together." Hiruzen said.
"What did you have in mind?" Kurenai asked.
"Give them their genin exam and if I know Naruto, he will make sure the team passes. Take a few D rank missions, then when it's time to take a C rank, I'll send her as back up." Hiruzen said.
Kurenai nodded. "That's a good idea. Yes, Naruto will increase the bond with his friends and when it comes time for Anko to come around, the team will function better." Kurenai said.
"Correct. Well, Kurenai. I guess you should meet with your team." Hiruzen said with a smirk.
"Yes, Lord third." Kurenai said as she left the Hokage's tower.
Naruto was currently sitting on top of the post in a meditative position while Hinata was leaning against it. Kiba was sitting with his back against the post and Akamaru was sleeping in his lap.
"Sensei is here." Naruto muttered and to the other's shock, Kurenai arrived.
"Good morning. Are you three ready for your test?" Kurenai asked.
"What will need to do?" Kiba asked curiously.
"It's simple. Your objective is to take these two bells from me. You have until lunch time to get them. Whoever fails to get a bell, then you will go back to the academy." Kurenai explained.
"Sensei, there are only two bells." Hinata pointed out.
"That's right. No matter what, one of you will return back to the academy. Go ahead and begin." Kurenai said and both Hinata and Kiba went to the bushes.
"Good, they are hiding pretty well for genin. Now, where is Naruto?" Kurenai looked until she noticed he had not left.
"Naruto, the test started." Kurenai called out.
"I'm aware. Just play with the others for now. I'll try when I'm ready." Naruto said with a smirk.
"You know, arrogance will get you killed." Kurenai said.
"I agree. But I'm not being arrogant. For example, if you attacked me, I'd have to start right now. That's why I'm telling you to play with the others if you're ready to begin." Naruto explained.
"Fine. I suppose I can play with the others." Kurenai said as she started walking away.
"What is that idiot doing? He's just sitting there. I guess he thinks he's far better than us." Hinata said as she activated her Byakugan and charged towards Kurenai.
As the jonin saw her coming at her, she quickly gained a little bit of distance before releasing a genjutsu. "Sorry, Hinata. But let's see you get out of this." Kurenai said.
Hinata tensed at seeing tree branches wrap around her body. "Impossible. Can she manipulate the ground like this?" Hinata asked herself.
Suddenly, Hinata found herself stabbed by Kurenai's kunai into her stomach. As Hinata yelled in pain, she was released from the Genjutsu. "It was only genjutsu?" Asked the girl as she quickly got out of the open.
"Damn, Hinata. Alright, Akamaru, we need strike hard and fast." Kiba said as his ninja hound barked in agreement.
"Man beast transformation." Kiba declared and Akamaru transformed into a copy of him. "Man beast taijutsu, fang over fang!" Kiba shouted as he charged towards Kurenai with his partner in the form of a cyclone.
"That's the Inuzuka clan taijutsu. I better be careful." Kurenai thought as she saw the two strike. As she watched, Kurenai quickly came up with a counter and immediately castes a genjutsu around herself.
"Where did she go?" Kiba asked as he continued attacking everywhere.
The training field soon turned into a wasteland when the jutsu ended. "Damn, how'd she disappear like that?" Kiba asked as he found himself knocked out by a chop to the neck.
"Sorry Kiba, but you won't be getting a bell that easily." Kurenai said as she tied him and Akamaru to a tree.
"Oh no. Dang it, I'll need Naruto to help me break him free." Hinata thought as she proceeded to the post to find the blond.
"Hello, Hinata. How's it going?" Naruto asked.
"You idiot, we need to rescue Kiba. He's been tied up." Hinata said.
"Why did he let himself get caught? Sounds to me like a personal problem." Naruto said.
"Don't you care about your friend?" Hinata asked.
"I'll get the bells when I'm ready to. Go ahead and play with the sensei a bit." Naruto said.
Hinata growled at the blond before turning away. As she used her Byakugan, she was able to see Kurenai hiding. "I've got you now sensei." Hinata thought as she proceeded to attack.
Kurenai quickly used the body replacement technique and was able to trap Hinata inside of a chakra restricted rope. "Sorry Hinata. I figured you'd try to attack with your Byakugan." Kurenai said.
"Damn it, we're screwed. I doubt we can pass now." Hinata said.
Kurenai left and proceeded to the post. "Alright, it's your turn. I already captured the others." Kurenai said. Naruto smirked and jumped down.
"Time for some fun." Naruto said as his eyes began spinning. Kurenai saw this and immediately began countering his genjutsu with her own. The two entered a battle of the minds with the form of a beam struggle.
Kurenai charged with a kunai to pierce Naruto in stomach, only for the blond side step and sweep the jonin off her feet. She quickly rolled back to gain distance.
"Your skills haven't got rusty I noticed." Kurenai said.
"Of course, I trained myself into the ground everyday." Naruto responded as he fired off multiple pythons from his hands.
"Fuck, I forgot he was a snake summoner." Kurenai thought as she started slashing the the pythons in half.
"Wind Release - Great Breakthrough!" Naruto shouted as he sent Kurenai flying away from a massive gust of wind.
As the woman was sent flying, she immediately regained her composure and rolled out of the wind's path. "Okay, I guess underestimating him is dangerous." Kurenai thought as she saw Naruto casually walking towards him.
"Come on, it's been awhile since we last trained together. I want a real challenge." Naruto said with a disappointed expression.
"Be careful what you wish for, you might just get it." Kurenai said as her body began to morph into a demon like creature.
"Genjutsu of that level doesn't work on me." Naruto said as he dispelled the genjutsu with the half ram sign. However, he soon saw that Kurenai's appearance didn't change.
The red flames from Kurenai's transformed state started to burn the blond's body. "What the hell is this?" Naruto asked.
"I'm not the genjutsu mistress for nothing." Kurenai said with a smirk. However, she found herself suddenly against a tree, being bonded by multiple tree branches.
"Sorry, sensei. But as I said before, that kind of genjutsu doesn't work on me." Naruto said.
Looking at Naruto with shock, she quickly but her tongue and snapped out of it. To her surprise, both Hinata and Kiba were standing behind Naruto as he held the two bells in front of her.
"We pass." Naruto said.
"I don't believe it. Naruto, how far have you gone?" Kurenai asked herself. "Good work, but now, you need to decide the person you're giving the other bell to." Kurenai said.
Naruto turned to face his team. "Kiba, do you want to go back to the academy?" Naruto asked.
"Hell no." Kiba declared.
"Hinata, do you want to go back ti the academy?" Naruto asked.
"No." Hinata said.
Naruto smirked. "Alright then, here you go." Naruto said as he tossed the two his bells.
Everyone body's eyes went wide. "Naruto, what are you doing?" Kiba asked.
"We're a team. What kind of teammate would I be if K was selfish and sent either of you back. You two can pass and I'll just get a new squad." Naruto said.
"Well, I guess that means you all pass." Kurenai said with a proud smile.
"What are you talking about, Kurenai sensei?" Hinata asked.
"The truth behind this test was to see if you three could work together. The bells were meant to break you apart. However, it seems you all understand that working together is needed along with putting the mission above your own personal needs." Kurenai explained.
"Heck yeah! We're ninja!" Kiba shouted with excitement while Akamaru started jumping around.
Hinata chuckled as she shook her head at her teammates antics. Naruto smirked. "Alright, Team eight will officially begin their first mission tomorrow." Kurenai said.