Chapter Twelve: Preparing for Promotion to Jonin

In the world of Naruto, the mainstream ninja rankings are as follows: Apprentice Ninja, Genin, Chunin, Jonin, and Kage (Leader).

An Apprentice Ninja is a student still attending the Ninja Academy, not yet graduated, essentially a ninja in reserve.

Genin are students who have passed the official graduation exam at the Ninja Academy. They are familiar with basic knowledge of the ninja world, have undergone fundamental physical training, can perform the Three Basic Jutsu smoothly, can refine chakra from within their bodies, and can use one or two D-rank ninjutsu.

Chunin are those who have passed the Chunin Exams or the village's Chunin assessment. They have mastered at least one C-rank or higher ninjutsu, and among the stronger ones, have begun to learn chakra nature transformation. Chunin have a clear advantage over Genin and can lead teams to complete tasks below C-rank. About eighty percent of ninjas in the world, unless there are special circumstances, spend their lives stuck at this level without advancing further. In missions or wars, Chunin are typically captains of three- or four-member squads.

Jonin are those who have passed the village's Jonin assessment. Their primary offensive techniques are generally B-rank ninjutsu, with proficiency in one or more A-rank ninjutsu and mastery of at least one chakra nature transformation. They can decisively suppress Chunin. Usually, they also lead three- or four-member squads, and in war, can command units of ten to twenty ninjas.

Kage (Leader level) refers to the strongest individuals in each ninja village. They possess two or more chakra nature transformations and can simultaneously perform form and nature changes. They can suppress or even defeat Jonin with a single move. They are capable of developing their own ninjutsu (B to S rank), learning and using advanced or forbidden techniques (S rank), perfecting certain high- or mid-level ninjutsu (A or B rank), mastering secret arts, using kekkei genkai or higher, and employing sage techniques. The last three are not mandatory requirements.

Additionally, only the leaders of the Five Great Nations' ninja villages—Fire, Wind, Earth, Lightning, and Water—are formally called Kage, specifically Hokage, Kazekage, Tsuchikage, Raikage, and Mizukage. Their strength generally surpasses that of leaders from smaller villages.

These five ninja ranks are the mainstream classifications in the ninja world. Some villages have special ranks like "Special Jonin" between Chunin and Jonin, or "Elite Jonin" between Jonin and Kage, but these are not essential levels.

Ninja rankings are akin to professional titles, but they generally correspond to a ninja’s actual strength, and over time, have become synonymous with power levels. Except for Kage (Leader), all other ranks require meeting basic strength requirements and other necessary conditions, passing exams or assessments in the village, and then being awarded the rank by the village or its leader.

Leaders are usually high-ranking Jonin or above, elected from among the upper echelons of the ninja village. The criteria for election vary, including strength, prestige, reputation, influence, and factional support.

Take, for example, the current situation of Kato Yufeng. His official ninja rank in Konoha is Chunin, but his strength has already reached Jonin level. He has mastered two nature transformations of wind chakra—sharpness and speed. What he lacks is an A-rank or higher ninjutsu. However, Kato Yufeng has trained in the S-rank secret technique, Spirit Nurturing, which is already usable in actual combat for killing. Even without considering the secret technique, Kato Yufeng can decisively overpower ordinary Chunin, even defeating them in a single move. What he lacks is passing Konoha’s Jonin assessment.

Over the past month, Kato Yufeng has inquired and understood the specific requirements for Jonin promotion. Strength is the essential condition, which he has already met. There are also requirements for the quantity and quality of completed low-level missions, mainly to assess a ninja’s experience. To accumulate these, Kato Yufeng has already fulfilled them by farming attribute points in the ninja system. The mission completion requirements are not mandatory.

If a ninja is exceptionally talented and their strength rapidly grows from Chunin or even Genin to Jonin level, or during wartime when the village urgently needs high-level personnel, the leader may grant a special promotion.

The final requirement is a recommendation from a Jonin in the village. For this, Kato Yufeng has already asked his elder brother, Kato Dan, from their clan to recommend him for the Jonin assessment. Kato Dan was promoted to Konoha’s Jonin last year.

This recommendation is not something that can be casually requested from any Jonin in the village. Unless the relationship is close enough, Jonin will not recommend someone unfamiliar for the Jonin assessment.

To the average person in the ninja world, ninjas are a superior class, the ruling elite. A Genin who has only recently graduated may already be a killing machine, capable of easily taking a civilian’s life. Higher-ranked Jonin are, to ordinary people, akin to legendary, mythical figures.

In the five great ninja villages, Jonin are the mainstay of the village’s fighting force, ranking just below Kage.

Jonin are already high-ranking members of the village, eligible to participate in Jonin meetings that influence village decisions, and have access to confidential intelligence, such as advanced or forbidden jutsu. Recommending another ninja for the Jonin assessment can earn gratitude, favors, or other benefits, but also involves responsibility. If the recommended Jonin later defects and becomes a rogue ninja, the recommender bears a degree of liability.

Kato Dan recommended Kato Yufeng for the Jonin assessment because they are brothers from the same clan. Aside from both being fond of Tsunade, their relationship is quite good, and Kato Dan is known for his warm and caring nature toward family and friends.

If Kato Yufeng becomes a Jonin in Konoha, the Kato clan, as a minor ninja clan affiliated with Konoha, will gain greater influence in village affairs. Where there are people, there are disputes and intrigue. Konoha is a ninja village and a war machine; the Kato clan, deeply embedded in it, inevitably gets involved in various interests.

No matter how good Kato Dan’s personality, he is, after all, a Konoha ninja, and all ninja are born for war with a competitive side.

Kato Yufeng’s promotion to Jonin in Konoha brings tangible benefits to Kato Dan, such as the clan receiving increased subsidies each year, supporting his views in Jonin meetings, and ensuring better care for clan juniors at the Ninja Academy.

Kato Yufeng has already met all the requirements for promotion to Jonin in Konoha and has been recommended by his elder brother, Kato Dan, to participate in the Jonin assessment.

Jonin assessments are usually conducted for several candidates at once. Kato Yufeng now only waits to pass the assessment and be awarded the title of Konoha Jonin.

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