Ninja Ranks

Academy Student
Becoming an Academy Student is the first step to becoming a professional ninja. Students are taught the basics to become a ninja. Rather than performing missions, all students are trained to master basic techniques and skills. All students enrolled are of very young age. In order to become a Genin, students must pass a comprehensive graduating test. Passing this test gives you all the chance in the world to become a great ninja. It is not very easy to make the cut and many students don't pass. This rank is probably he most crucial stage towards becoming an elite ninja.

Genin
The Genin is considered the lowest rank for a ninja. Most Genin's don't perform missions, but train like academy students. Genin ranked ninjas usually perform harsh labor and dirty work. When put into missions; they usually perform D ranked missions. Every Genin is assigned a Jounin instructor. The Jounin instructor helps train the Genin to become a wise and skilled ninja.

Chuunin
Chuunin is considered a medium ranked ninja. Only two Genin's become a Chuunin every year, so becoming a Chuunin is not that easy. In this rank you are no longer and follower, but a leader. Becoming a Chuunin allows you to teach lower ranked ninja's and students. Chuunin's are involved in more significant missions opposed to the ones given to the Genin.

Jounin
Becoming a Jounin is the highest level ninja you can become; unless you are a Kage. Jounin's are given very intense and serious missions that most of the time include: assassinations. When you become a Jounin, you are assigned three Genins to look over. One part of your duties to help instruct and train these Genins to become great ninjas.

Sannin
The ultimate ninja rank. To become a sanin you have to be the best of the best. Hardly considered a ninja level as there are only three known: Orochimaru, Tsunade the healer, and Jiraiya the frog hermit.

Kage
There can only be one Kage at a time in each of the five main villages (exception for the Star Village where they also have a Kage). Kages are highly respected ninja that perform the most dangerous missions. Usually they send out ninja teams made up of three Genins and one jounin to complete a C- or D-rank mission sometimes a B. There is only one Kage per village. The kage is the leader of their village. Kages make most of the decisions regarding the safety of the village.