Yuhi Kurenai

Kurenai Yuhi (夕日紅, Yūhi Kurenai^?) is the leader of Team 8, consisting of Kiba Inuzuka, Shino Aburame, and Hinata Hyuga. The name "Yuhi" means "evening sun" and "Kurenai" means "crimson". Kurenai acted as an Academy Instructor for many years, eventually becoming a Jonin soon before the start of the series. Prior to the formation of Team 8, Kurenai taught a student named Yakumo Kurama. Yakumo's abilities, however, were a danger to herself and those around her, so Kurenai was forced to seal away her ability and as a result took her chance of becoming a ninja. As a Jonin leader, Kurenai is notably kind and supportive of her Genin subordinates, particularly toward Hinata. Once Team 8 was formed, Hinata was left in her care, Hinata's father having little use for her. Kurenai has since begun to act as a parent for Hinata and tries to help her in overcoming her own weaknesses.

Kurenai has a long-standing relationship with Asuma Sarutobi, whom she frequently appears with. While the two deny being an item and try to write off the amount of time they spend together, the revelation that Kurenai is pregnant with Asuma's child in Part II makes their relationship clear. Kurenai specializes in genjutsu, and as seen in the anime is very proficient with it. Through the use of her Demonic Illusion: Tree Bind Death (魔幻・樹縛殺, Magen: Jubaku Satsu^?) Kurenai can disappear and sneak up on an opponent unnoticed. Once she has done so she creates the illusion of tree growing around the opponent to effectively immobilize them, allowing her to appear from the tree to kill them as she pleases. The Kurama Clan arc shows Kurenai capable of using this jutsu multiple times in a row, as well as being able to create any kind of foliage with which to capture the opponent.