Board Thread:Versus Debates/@comment-30830650-20170203102006/@comment-734582-20180308081722

Lorenzo.r.2nd wrote: He is only jonin in rank, and nothing else. Jonin IS a rank. Kakashi being Jonin demonstrates his skill, mindset and maturity. The whole "rank as powerlevel" thing is just fanon. It can be useful sometimes, but in this case power isn't rank. Young Kakashi was considered wise and capable enough to lead actual teams. Minato entrusted his entire squad to him, in the middle of war.

Even in the 4th war Naruto was a genin, despite being effectively godlike in power. Being a Chunin or Jonin means that you have reached a certain level of experience and understanding where you can lead a squad or an entire mission. Naruto never gives up and never backs down. This is ideal for a front-line fighter, but useless if not downright harmful for a leader. Which is why someone without serious firepower like Shikamaru, can outrank Naruto.