Picture from left to right: Mizukage (Water Shadow) Kage of Kirigakure, Kazekage (Wind Shadow) Kage of Sunagakure, Hokage (Fire Shadow) Kage of Konohagakure, Tsuchikage (Earth Shadow) Kage of Iwagakure, Raikage (Lightning Shadow) Kage of Kumogakure.
Ninja ranks
Academy ninjas
The academy is where would-be ninja start; they are not actually considered ninja until they graduate. Academy students take formal and practical tests of all sorts and are taught basic ninja skills, such as martial arts, techniques, physical fitness and the way of the ninja. Basic weapon usage, such as kunai and shuriken, are commonly taught. Elementary ninja techniques,such as transformation jutsu and clone jutsu, though they vary from village to village, are also taught. Some villages also have an additional test given by the Jonin sensei of each three-man squad to see if they are truly ready to graduate, which determines whether the squad can work as a team. To ensure that only truly qualified ninja are promoted, only three Genin teams are allowed to pass. The test for determining which three teams may become Genin are administered by each team's respective Jonin commander,and vary depending on the Jonin. What is required for graduation varies from academy to academy. In Konoha, the graduation exam is composed of some sort of written test, as well as demonstration of basic techniques, such as clone jutsu, though Rock Lee is an exception, because he can only preform taijutsu.
Genin
Genin (Genin literally "Low Ninja", Viz "Junior Ninja") are the lowest level of ninja. Because of this, skill levels vary drastically between Genin. Genin are put in four-man cells, consisting of three Genin and a Jonin sensei, in order to learn teamwork and experience true ninja life under the supervision and protection of an elite shinobi. The make-up of these teams is based on the individual skills of the Genin, so that there will remain a balance between the teams. When they become Genin, ninja start to do their bit for their village's economy, for which they are given a small payment. They are typically sent either on D-rank missions, which are the lowest rank and are almost entirely risk-free jobs of manual labor, or experienced genin are sent on C-rank missions, which are a cut above that and begin to verge on real "ninja" work, though they generally have a very low possibility of risk to the ninja involved, especially since their Jonin level sensei often accompanies them. Recently, Konohagakure has been shorthanded in upper-level ninja ever since the attack by Otogakure and Sunagakure, and has been forced to occasionally send Genin on higher-ranked missions, often without the supervision of a Jonin.
Genin are put in four-man cells, consisting of three Genin and a Jonin sensei, in order to learn teamwork and experience true ninja life under the supervision and protection of an elite shinobi. The make-up of these teams is based on the individual skills of the Genin, so that there will remain a balance between the teams. For instance, Naruto Uzumaki, who passed with the lowest grades, was put in a team with Sasuke Uchiha and Sakura Haruno, who passed with the highest grades and highest written exam scores, respectively. The teams are usually made up of two boys and one girl, though there are exceptions. It appears that, usually, the four-man cells specialize in certain skills. For instance, Team Kurenai (Kiba Inuzuka, Hinata Hyuga, and Shino Aburame) is specialized in survival and tracking and Team Guy (Neji Hyuga, Rock Lee, and Tenten) is specialized in taijutsu and weapon skills. Complementary skills also seem to influence team selection, as each member of Team Asuma (Choji Akimichi, Shikamaru Nara, and Ino Yamanaka) has a specific skill that supports the other two.
Chunin
Chunin (Chūnin, literally "Middle Ninja", Viz "Chūnin" and "Journeyman Ninja") are ninja who are qualified to watch over and guide other ninja. Chunin have reached a level of maturity that primarily consists of leadership skills and tactical prowess. Some of them, like Iruka Umino, function as teachers and others, like Shikamaru Nara, serve as team leaders in charge of small teams who need to make decisions and utilize the skills of the shinobi under their command to the maximum effect. Upon reaching Chunin level, ninja can wear an identifying tactical vest that holds ninjutsu scrolls. This vest is not required; instead, some look for more elaborate clothing like capes or robes. Chunin are typically sent on C or B-rank missions.
To become a Chunin, a Genin participates, with his or her team, in a large examination, known as the "Chunin Exams," hosted twice a year due to the growing number of ninjas. In the past, each village held their own Chunin exam. After the 3rd Ninja World War, allied ninja villages agreed to hold the exams together at the selected village that would host the exam, so villages could improve and strengthen their relationships. Another advantage is that ninja that took the exam might attract clients who are interested in hiring them. The exam is a test not only of strength, but information gathering abilities, survival skills, and adhering to guidelines. Those who have all of these qualities are grouped together into predetermined fights, watched by a council that decides who becomes a Chunin and who does not. While the winners are able to proceed to fight the next opponent, it is aptitude, rather than winning, that is evaluated to determine whether a candidate is promoted. This way even one who loses his or her first match can become a Chunin. In fact, there is a chance that every Genin who makes it to the predetermined fights will become a Chunin, though there is also a chance that every single one will remain a Genin.
Jonin
Jonin (Jōnin, literally "High Ninja", Viz "Elite Ninja") are generally highly-experienced ninja with great individual skill who serve as military captains. They are often sent on A-rank missions, and experienced Jonin may even be sent on S-rank missions (which are considered to be the most difficult), and may carry out missions alone. They are sometimes assigned as sensei for three-person teams of Genin. Though it is as of yet unknown what one has to undergo to become a Jonin, it is mentioned in the Naruto Anime Profiles that Jonin are appointed. Most Jonin are able to use at least two types of elemental jutsu, have some skills with genjutsu, and have at least above average taijutsu skills.
Tokubetsu Jonin
Tokubetsu Jonin (Tokubetsu Jōnin, literally "Special High Ninja" English "Special Jonin", sometimes known as Tokujō for short) are ninja who, rather than all-around Jonin training, have Jonin-level ability in a single area or skill, much like warrant officers of real-world militaries. They are elite specialists in their areas and are often assigned as subordinates to regular Jonin when their services are needed.They sometimes are seen as lower ranked than jonin because, they are good or the best at one thing and they lack talent, or even ability in others.
Kage
Those who have achieved the title of Kage (Kage literally "Shadow") are the leaders of the five most powerful Hidden Villages and generally the most powerful ninja in their respective villages. The Kage stand equally with the rulers of their countries, oversee the activities of their villages, and are the leaders of ninja society. There may be exceptions, however, as a ninja may be the most powerful at the time of being installed as Kage, but may become less powerful upon aging, eventually being surpassed by a more youthful ninja. A Kage may retire and give the title to someone else; the title, once granted, is held permanently, creating a case where there are two Kage at the same time, with only one of them actually active. Their elite status is also attributed to the tendency for most Kage to have family members who were previous Kage, or be personally taught by a former Kage or student of a former Kage, or some combination of these factors. The anime introduced a sixth Kage, the Hoshikage (literally "Star Shadow") from Land of Bears. However, this was a self-given title and not officially recognized by the five other villages.
Most Kage tend to be at S-Rank level. The five Kage have different titles depending on their village. Those titles are:
* Hokage (literally "Fire Shadow") Kage of Konohagakure.
* Kazekage (literally "Wind Shadow") Kage of Sunagakure.
* Mizukage (literally "Water Shadow") Kage of Kirigakure.
* Raikage (literally "Lightning Shadow") Kage of Kumogakure.
* Tsuchikage (literally "Earth Shadow") Kage of Iwagakure.
S-rank
S-class ninja have gained power far beyond an average Jonin and earned a legendary status. This title is merely a class rather than an actual rank; the ninja's official rank with a village will usually still be Jonin. However, it can sometimes be lower, or they can have no rank at all. The allegiances of these ninja range from being part of the village's own ninja to being wandering ninja who are still loyal to their village. Some ninja of this level tend to leave their villages behind to seek their own ambitions, thus becoming missing-nin. Ninja of this class are often noted in the Bingo book, a list of notable enemy ninja marked for assassination that each ninja village provides for its Jonin and ANBU squad members. Most ninja, even high-level ones, choose to flee rather than face someone of the S-class. Ninja of the S-class are often highly revered, and usually signified by nicknames allies or enemies give them. For example, the Legendary Sannin are all S-class ninja.
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Tingkatan resmi
Murid Akademi
Akademi adalah tempat dimana calon-calon ninja memulai latihannya; mereka belum bisa disebut sebagai ninja sebelum mereka lulus akademi. Murid-murid di akademi diberikan materi dan latihan-latihan beladiri ninja tingkat dasar, seperti melempar shuriken dan menggunakan kunai. Beberapa jurus dasar ninja juga diajarkan di akademi ini, diantaranya adalah Henge no Jutsu, Bunshin no Jutsu, Nawanuke no Jutsu, dan Kawarimi no Jutsu.
Setelah menjalani ujian dan lulus dari akademi, murid-murid akan menerima sebuah ikat kepala dari kain dengan sebuah lapisan metal ditengahnya, dan di atas lapisan metal tersebut tercetak lambang desa tempat tinggal mereka. ikat kepala ini sering juga disebut dengan nama "pelindung dahi" atau hitai-ite.
Sebagai tambahan, ada beberapa desa yang menjalankan ujian khusus untuk murid akademi di desa mereka; murid-murid dikelompokan (tiga murid per satu kelompok), kemudian kelompok-kelompok tersebut akan diberikan ujian, dan untuk memastikan bahwa hanya murid terbaik yang dapat menjadi genin, kelompok yang lulus dibatasi hanya tiga kelompok, sisanya akan dikembalikan ke akademi untuk mengikuti ujian tahun depan.
Syarat-syarat kelulusan berbeda-beda tergantung dari kebijakan pemimpin desa. Di Konohagakure, ujian kelulusan dilakukan dengan cara memberikan tes tertulis dan ujian jurus-jurus dasar. Kirigakure pernah memberikan ujian duel hidup-atau-mati sebagai tes kelulusannya, tetapi setelah terjadi peristiwa dimana Zabuza Momochi berhasil membunuh semua murid akademi dalam tes ini. Akhirnya, ujian semacam ini dihentikan dan diganti dengan ujian baru yang lebih aman.
Genin
Setelah lulus dari akademi, seorang alumnus akan diberi tingkatan genin. Para genin ini masih masuk kedalam bimbingan seorang Jounin. Genin adalah ninja kelas rendah yang hanya menjalankan misi kelas D. Misi-misinya juga terkadang sangat sepele. Seperti menangkap anjing yang kabur, atau bersih-bersih rawa. Biasanya para genin ditempatkan di tim 4 orang, dengan satu jounin pembimbing. Tetapi Naruto pernah diberi misi level C untuk mengawal tazuna, yang malah berubah menjadi misi level A karena adanya ninja pelarian yang menyerang.
Tim yang diisi genin adalah tim yang sudah ditentukan sebelumnya dan sudah dibagi ketika melakukan ujian kelulusan. Kakashi melakukan ujian yang amat sulit. Setelah kiranya cukup mapan, para genin akan direkomendasikan menjadi chuunin di ujian chuunin. Tidak semua genin anak-anak, ada pula yang sudah berusia setengah baya saking payahnya dalam hal ninjutsu, genjutsu dan taijutsu dan tidak pernah lulus ujian Chuunin.
Chuunin
Setelah para genin lolos ujian chuunin, mereka akan diangkat menjadi chuunin oleh hokage. Para chuunin sudah setingkat kapten tim dalam tim 4 orang. Terkadang chuunin juga dipasangkan dengan genin. Para chuunin bisa mengambil misi tingkat B dan C. Misi yang dilakukan para chuunin tidaklah terlalu sulit, tetapi tetap beresiko dan berbahaya dibandingkan genin. Jumlah para Chuunin ini jauh lebih sedikit dibanding genin yang ada di dunia naruto. Timgkat kekuatan antara genin dan chuunin juga lumayan jauh. Para ninja chuunin juga diwajibkan menikah.
Jounin
Jounin atau ninja elit yang memiliki pangkat yang lumayan tinggi. Para Jounin ini adalah kekuatan utama sebuah desa tersembunyi, setelah ANBU. Para Jounin biasa diberi misi untuk menyerang daerah musuh, pembunuhan, sabotase, dan sebagainya. Misi yang mereka emban mengharuskan mereka untuk berpikir cepat dan tidak boleh sembrono atau nyawa mereka akan melayang. Jonin bisa mengambil misi tingkat A dan tingkat S. Para jounin ini sangatlah kuat dan melawan mereka tanpa persiapan matang adalah tindakan bunuh diri. Para jounin juga ada yang ditugaskan sebagai pembimbing tim genin rookie. Mereka juga bertindak sebagai guru bagi para genin tersebut.
Jounin Spesial
Jounin spesial memiliki tugas khusus seperti mengajar, medis dan sebagainya. Para ninja medis adalah jounin khusus yang tugasnya hanya mencari dan mengobati/memulangkan temannya yang terluka. Tapi tidak semua ninja medis adalah jounin spesial. Seperti Sakura dan Shizune.
Kelas S
shinobi kelas S adalah shinobi dengan tingkat kekuatan tertinggi dalam dunia naruto. Mereka sangat kuat dan beberapa diantaranya adalah kage dari desa-desa tersembunyi. Hampir semua ninja lebih memilih menghindar daripada menghadapi ninja kelas S. Banyak dari ninja kelas S adalah ninja pelarian dan kriminal. Para Sannin adalah ninja dalam golongan ini. Semua anggota Akatsuki juga golongan ninja ini.
Sannin
Sannin adalah para ninja yang telah melewati tingkatan Jounin. Sejauh ini hanya ada 3 sannin. Mereka memiliki kemampuan yang luar biasa dan diatas rata-rata, bisa disamakan dengan para Kage. Bahkan Itachi dan anggota akatsuki lainnya masih berpikir 2 kali untuk menghadapi mereka secara frontal. Mereka bisa disebut sebagai ninja pertapa.
Kage
Hokage, Mizukage, Kazekage, Raikage, Tsuchikage adalah ninja tertinggi yang memimpin suatu desa tersembunyi. Biasanya mereka memiliki kemampuan diatas rata-rata dan cukup disegani. Sejauh ini baru Hokage dan Kazekage yang sudah ditunjukkan rupanya. Gelar kage hanya diberikan pada pemimpin 5 desa tersembunyi negara besar ninja saja.
* Hokage (Bayangan Api) Kage dari Konohagakure.
* Kazekage (Bayangan Angin) Kage dari Sunagakure.
* Mizukage (Bayangan Air) Kage dari Kirigakure.
* Raikage (Bayangan Petir) Kage dari Kumogakure.
* Tsuchikage (Bayangan Bumi/tanah) Kage dari Iwagakure.
