Short version
The team heads to a disputed border for their routine patrol mission, though Hinata collapses from exhaustion at one point on the way and has to be counseled about not allowing herself to be overworked. While traveling, Kurenai teaches them some minor jutsu for making water and electricity, though Naruto struggles to reduce his chakra input to a usable level.
Longer version
Suspecting that Shino was laughing at him for his Sleep Cute with Hinata, Naruto vows vengeance later. Team 8 enters the Hokage's office, where Hiruzen gives them a blue scroll and a red scroll. The blue one details their three week patrol of the border with Earth Country, while the red one is to be presented to the current patrol team's leader, a jonin named Dariketsu, whom Kurenai knows in passing. Hiruzen explains that diplomatic tensions exist between the two nations. Team 8, as a genin team, is replacing Dariketsu's squad as part of diplomatic de-escalation. Hiruzen also advises that they stay a distance from the border to ensure that Konoha is not accused of violating it.
Leaving Konoha, Team 8 travels for two hours before Kurenai, recognizing Hinata's fatigue, calls a break. Wanting to improve, Hinata retains her training weights the whole time, against Naruto's advice. When she falls asleep, Naruto carries her the remainder of the way to an inn between Fire Country and Earth Country.
When Hinata awakens, Kurenai firmly expresses her disapproval of the abusive training she went through. She further explains that, since Hinata is a Konoha ninja, she is lawfully required to stay in healthy condition, and in the future must refuse such debilitating training; if she is forced, she will not be to blame.
While training with Naruto, Shino is surpised by his improvements in taijutsu. He is further mystified at how, despite secretly draining Naruto's chakra with half of his kikai colony, Naruto is unaffected to the point that he doesn't even notice.
The married couple that owns the inn serves the team dinner. The wife dotes on Naruto, who reminds her of her son. The unusual treatment makes Naruto wonder what it would be like to have a mother, and consider the feasibility of moving to another village (he deduces he cannot).
With Hinata having recovered, the team departs for their mission the next day. Kurenai reveals that the wife's son was a Konoha genin who died in a chunin exam. She also praises Naruto for not taking advantage of her. Reflecting on his own concern for Hinata, Naruto considers how, against conventional shinobi advice, Kurenai encouraged him to form bonds with his teammates.
At a break, Kurenai teaches the genin Water Release: Condensation, a jutsu which gathers surrounding humidity. When Naruto performs it, he puts too much chakra into the technique and gathers too much water. Kurenai advises him to only put in what feels like the minimum amount of chakra, but Naruto reveals that jutsu don't make him feel very drained. The jonin attributes this to Naruto's massive chakra reserves, and has him practice the technique to feel out the desired minimum amount.
It is revealed that the Nine-Tails' chakra isn't interfering with Naruto's chakra control much anymore. Hinata asks Naruto if he thinks of leaving Konoha. Naruto assures her he won't. The team set up camp, and Hinata prepares wild rabbit for dinner. The team praises her cooking, and the genin agree to switch chores so that she'd play the role of Team Chef.
Kurenai disapproves, but Naruto explains to her one-on-one that letting Hinata use her cooking talent could help her grow more confident. Kurenai concedes this. Naruto then demonstrates he has finally mastered the Condensation jutsu. Kurenai and Naruto discuss how his chakra control is hindered by the Nine-Tails, but improving. The team goes to sleep.
In the morning, Kurenai teaches the genin Lightning Release: Shocking Grasp, which allows the user to electrocute enemies with their hands. Naruto practices the technique with tree trunks, but eventually causes a tree to explode by accident.
At evening, Hinata suddenly vanishes. Kurenai orders Naruto to release a chakra pulse, which dispels a genjutsu hiding Dariketsu's team, who had taken Hinata. Dariketsu, a provocateur, is reluctant to be replaced, but leaves nonetheless.
Tropes:
- History Repeats: Discussed by Naruto and Shino:Naruto: That family training thing seems sort of messed up.
Shino: The Hyuugas are a highly respected clan.
Naruto: Like the Uchiha's were?
Shino: Point taken. - Making a Splash: Kurenai teaches the genin the Condensation jutsu, a Water Release technique that gathers water from the humidity in the ground and air.
- Mundane Utility: Kurenai teaches the team a simple water jutsu that draws water from the surrounding humidity, which is useful for supplies.
- No-Sell: Naruto has so much chakra that Shino's chakra-draining bugs don't affect his performance at all. Naruto doesn't even notice he's doing it!
- Original Character: Dariketsu and his team members Brand and Chusei, the previous patrol team before Team 8.
- Shock and Awe: Kurenai teaches her students the Lightning Release: Shocking Grasp jutsu, which essentially turns one's hands into tasers.
- Supreme Chef: Hinata, if Naruto and Shino are to be believed.
- Team Chef: Hinata, with Naruto and Shino's encouragement, takes up this role.
