Sannin

The were the students of Hiruzen Sarutobi, members of his Team Sarutobi. The three students, Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Tsunade, would over the years come to possess exemplary ninja abilities. During the Second Great Shinobi World War they fought against Hanzo, and for being able to survive his attacks he gave them the title of Konoha's Sannin in return for letting them live. Their names are known in countries all across the world.

The Sannin are widely regarded for their great skill and power, each one the level of a Kage in their own right; each has been considered for the position of Hokage at different points in time. When Orochimaru defected from Konoha after being denied the position, the Sannin were disbanded, though they continued to be known by the title. Tsunade is currently the only surviving Sannin.

Renown

 * Jiraiya, the "Toad Hermit," wandered the world, in the process discovering and training under the toads and writing the Icha Icha series of novels. Later became the teacher of Minato Namikaze and Naruto Uzumaki. Died while investigating Pain.
 * Orochimaru, the "White Snake," defected from Konoha to join Akatsuki and founded Otogakure. Seeks to gain immortality via means of kinjutsu in order to learn every jutsu in existence. Absorbed by his disciple, Sasuke Uchiha, and later sealed away by Itachi Uchiha.
 * Tsunade, the "Legendary Sucker," is the granddaughter of the First Hokage with a terribly unlucky addiction to gambling. Became famous during the ninja wars for being able to heal almost any injury. Has since passed this knowledge on to her student, Sakura Haruno, and taken on the position of Fifth Hokage. Currently in a coma and stripped of Hokage title.

Trivia

 * 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.