Sannin

The is the title given to the members of Team Sarutobi, namely Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Tsunade. The title was received after their battle with "Salamander" Hanzo of the Amegakure, who after a long and intense fight which resulted in their loss, declared that he was impressed and would let them live if they would take on new titles as the Sannin of Konoha. The Sannin are widely regarded for their great skill and power, each one the level of a Kage in their own right. Their name is known in countries all across the world.

When Orochimaru defected from Konohagakure, the Sannin was disbanded. However, all three members were still referred to that title by others. As Jiraiya was killed by Pain, and Orochimaru was sealed by Itachi Uchiha, Tsunade is now the last living Sannin member.

Sannin Members

 * Jiraiya the "Toad Hermit," and "Pervy Sage" (Naruto's nickname for him). Jiraiya is commonly agreed to be the most powerful of the Sannin with his wide variety of Toad based ninjutsu, as well as adept at Sage techniques.
 * Orochimaru the "White Snake." Orochimaru is Konoha's most wanted missing-nin as well as the founder and former leader of Otogakure. He is widely known for his use of Snake based ninjutsu and forbidden techniques.
 * Tsunade the "Legendary Sucker" (a reference to her poor gambling skills), "Princess" (due to her grandfather being the First Hokage), "Slug Girl" (Chiyo's nickname for her, a reference to her ability to summon slugs). She is renowned for her prodigious healing abilities and immense physical strength. "Granny/Grandma" (Naruto's nickname for her, likely a reference to her age as she is over 50 years old).

Professions
Each member of the Sannin has went off on their separate ways to pursue their own goals.
 * Jiraiya left the village to track down Orochimaru and Akatsuki, as well as becoming the writer of the Icha Icha novel series, along with other books, later returned to assist Konohagakure.
 * Orochimaru betrayed the village and joined the criminal organization, Akatsuki (later defected), and founded Otogakure and to further pursue his kinjutsu research.
 * Tsunade left after losing confidence, and became a wandering gambler, later returned to accept the position of Fifth Hokage.

Legacy
During the end of Part I each of them took in a member of Team 7 for their apprentice, training them, and in turn passing on many of their qualities on to them.
 * Jiraiya - Naruto Uzumaki, passed on his affinity to summon toads, the Rasengan, and some of his perverted traits. Naruto has also mastered Sage Mode like his master before him.
 * Tsunade - Sakura Haruno, passed on her medical skills, super strength, quick temper and as stated by many, her beauty.
 * Orochimaru - Sasuke Uchiha, passed on his affinity for snake summoning, some of his secret techniques, and his stare of Killing Intent that can paralyze most people with fear.

Trivia

 * Each Sannin has prior to teaching a member of Team 7, taught someone else before. For Jiraiya, aside from being known for teaching six other people besides Naruto (the Ame Orphans and the genin of Team Jiraiya) it was Minato Namikaze, for Tsunade it was Shizune and for Orochimaru it was Anko Mitarashi.
 * Despite being three of the most powerful fighters Konoha has ever produced, each of them departed from Konoha for different reasons. Orochimaru left to join Akatsuki and further develop his forbidden techniques, Jiraiya went to gather information on Orochimaru and Akatsuki's movements, and Tsunade lost all confidence in her healing ability and went into self-imposed exile.