Leaf Ranks Explained

[Leaf Historian]

NOTE: For up-to-date ANBU Branch Specifics see here: Konoha's ANBU Branch

Shinobi are the primary focus and the main military power within Fire Country. While most of Konoha's shinobi force was wiped out by the samurai incursion, many of the current shinobi force come from the hidden stone village, of which some come from prominent Iwagakure clans. Intermixed with the former Iwagakure shinobi are remnants of Konohagure's shinobi corps whom escaped the samurai occupation. After stabilizing the village, the new ruling body within Konoha wasted little time before mission assignments were taken to fund the village's rebirth. These missions can and have included doing manual labour, acting as escorts, gathering secret information, retrieving stolen items, carrying out assassinations, etc. Outside the specialized corps within the shinobi structure (Being Medic and Anbu), the main force is splintered by various division, each with their own core responsibilities. Konoha Shinobi are expected to be loyal to their village for life, a sentiment widely shared and adopted after all which was sacrificed to revive the village. It is common practice due to this for shinobi to rarely be seen without wearing the village's forehead protector albeit with various customizations. Any defectors are considered to be missing-nin, and will be marked for death.​

Branch Ranks

Academy students make up the student body of the Academy, where they are trained and prepared for life as a shinobi. They are not an actual part of the shinobi force, as they are still in the process of mastering the very basics of the ninja lifestyle. Within the academy they are expected to participate in various classes meant to prepare them for geninhood. Because the genin examination focuses on implementation of jutsu and skill, it is not unique for students lacking certain aptitudes to pass if they perform well in other areas.

Rank Requirement

• None

Rank Responsibility

• Attend Classes/Tutor Threads

Genin Exam Requirement

• Participation in at-least (3) Academy Classes or Participation in at-least (2) Academy Classes and (1) Tutor Thread by an Academy Teacher
• Mastery of at-least (1) E-Rank jutsu from either Ninjutsu, Taijutsu, Genjutsu or Puppet Jutsu.

Genin are the lowest level of ninja and also the ones that display the most difference in power. When students successfully pass the examinations they become genin which are ninja that start to do their part for Konoha's economy – being sent on missions that the village gets paid for. They are typically sent either on D-rank missions, which are almost entirely risk-free jobs of manual labour or C-rank missions, which are a cut above that and begin to verge on real "ninja" work that have a very low possibility of risk to the ninja involved. While some choose to become typical genin, others are either chosen or volunteer to take part in splintered training programs geared towards Medical-Nin or join the ANBU Branch. Regardless of their path, these shinobi are still considered genin and routinely will be sent on missions together.

Genin Rank Requirement

• Completion of a Genin Exam or Character Creation/OCR method

IC Rank Reward

• Forehead Protector - Forehead protectors are usually worn as a sign of pride and fealty for one's village. Ninja consider it an honourable, important part of their tradition, and make a point of wearing it at all times as it represents their shinobihood. Although not wearing a forehead protector is frequently viewed as disrespectful to the village and fellow shinobi, a ninja who does not wear one may still be loyal to the village despite the stigma. Similarly, to have one's protector confiscated is to denote one's unworthiness to be a Konoha shinobi. Many wear it in various customizations and not only over their forehead.

Rank Responsibility

• Genin: Complete D-rank and C-rank (modded) missions

Chuunin Exam Requirement

• Genin: Complete (5) D-rank/C-rank missions as a whole, (2) of which must have been modded and (1) which you were the Leader
• MIT: Complete (3) D-rank/C-rank missions as a whole, (1) of which must have been modded. Additionally MiT must complete (2) Tutor threads with an Medic/Med-nin Chief

Chuunin are ninja who are qualified to guide other ninja and lead missions. Chuunin have reached a level of maturity and ability that primarily consists of leadership skills and tactical prowess. Genin who do not have the skills to become Chuunin are weeded out in the Chuunin Exams. It is at this level that shinobi are placed within divisions of their choice, which tasks them specific responsibilities. Many shinobi remain at this level particularly due to fact that Konoha does not promote any higher on an examination basis but on a merit level. Anbu and Med-nin are equally represented within this group as well, as when they are not performing tasks of their specific branches can act as standard chuunin.

Chuunin Rank Requirement

• Completion of a Chuunin Exam or OCR method

IC Rank Reward

• Flak Jacket - Flak jackets have several pockets and pouches that can be used to store and quickly access weapons and other supplies. When on missions, they provide at least partial protection from damage by blunt-force trauma, shrapnel, other projectiles, and even blades. All of these flak jackets are green. They have three scroll pouches on each side of their chest, a neck guard, extra padding over the shoulders (which is fastened on by steel buttons), and a zipper down the middle. Each features a swirling pattern on the back, symbolizing the merging of some Iwagakure shinobi into Konoha's shinobi force.
• Anbu Gear - Anbu are issued along with the village's flak jacket, gear strictly unique to them. They come with steel gauntlets and seem to be fastened with a zipper, an interwoven band near the stomach, and two straps over the shoulders. Swords are mounted on the back just over the right shoulder by a metal holster. Furthermore, they come with two equipment pouches instead of one. Each are given a mask with variant designs colored against animal characteristics.
• Medical Equipment - Specially attached to the flak jackets of medical ninja is an additional large pouch located along the back. Within would be various medical tools and instruments to aid the med-nin along mission detachments.
• Medic-nin Uniform - With an addition to their flak jacket, Med-nin are given a white scrub-like uniform. With the medical branch seal on the back, medics wear these while within the village's hospital.

Rank Responsibility

• Chuunin: These shinobi serve as either team leaders in charge of small teams or team members under the command of another chuunin or higher ranking official. These core members are expected to make decisions and utilise their skills as they are typically sent on C-rank or B-rank missions, with some even assigned A-Ranks. Some Chuunin find themselves tailored toward certain jobs within the village, be it as Academy Sensei's or Gate Guards.
• ANBU in Training (AIT): Complete C-Rank and B-Rank (modded) missions, Complete ANBU Tutorships
• Medic in Training (MIT): Complete C-Rank and B-Rank (modded) missions, Complete Medical Tutorships

Jounin Recommendation Requirement

Note: Only one of the following has to accomplished to be considered for a promotion to Jounin. Completion of multiple options only strengthen your IC merit/case.

• Successfully completed (3) B - A rank modded missions which you were the leader of
• Successfully stop (2) missing attempts which did not involve a modded battle
• Successfully stopped (1) missing attempt which involved a modded battle
• Prevent a foreign shinobi from infiltrating (Force Entering) the village
• Teach (5) academy classes or Tutor (5) AiT/MIT
• Demonstrate leadership qualities during an event

Jounin are generally highly-experienced shinobi with great individual skill who serve as an elite military presence. They are often sent on A-rank missions, and experienced jounin may even be sent on S-rank missions (which are considered to be the greatest difficulty). It is not unusual for Jounin to be assigned to go on missions alone. They may be assigned to lead various genin teams on lower rank missions to help instruct and train these genin to become competent ninja. This is done to prepare genin for their chuunin examinations.

Rank Requirement

• Appointment by the Hokage based upon fufilling a recommendation requirement or OCR method

IC Rank Reward

• Bingo Book: Bingo Books are black books issued to and used by the jounin ranks that contain any and all information on black-listed ninja they are to target. These can include threats both domestic and foreign. Depending on the shinobi listed complete or sparse information may be available. This is usually only the case with marks from outside of Konoha.
• Black Anbu Robe: While not worn at all times, the black cloak separates seasoned Anbu from those regular agents. The cloak distinguishes them and further conceals their identities and armaments.

Rank Responsibility

• Jounin: Consolidating their responsibilities from Chuunin, Jounin find themselves now with the added potential of becoming specialized in a set division. Keeping with this, they are also given S-Rank missions and may be directly assigned solo mission by higher ranking officials.
• ANBU: Diplomats, Inquisitors, and Assassins flsh out the ranks of ANBU. These ninja represent the silent tools that lurk in the shadows to keep the cillage safe in the light of day. Responsible for tracking down Leaf's Rogue Ninja, and acting as buffers between the villages the Shinobi of this branch must keep their identities secret less their loved ones be harmed as a side effect.
• Medic-nin: Ninja who specialize in medical treatment and the use of medical-oriented techniques to heal others. A medical-nin is trained to avoid unneede risks to themselves for the reason that if they are injured, then there would be nobody to heal the other members of their team. Medical-nin accompany other ninja on various missions to increase the success rate of the mission and overall survival rate of the squad.

Division/Squad/Corps Information
Main Branch Jounin upon promotion are given the option to join a given division within their respective branches. Taking the option tailors what kind of mission assignments you may receive and what kind of work may be required. This is not a requirement and you are not forced to chooses one if you.

Anbu and Medic-nin however must choose an option due to the specialized nature of their branches.

Main Branch Divisions

• Intelligence Division: Responsible for retrieving secret documents or infiltrating key targets to acquire information, Jounin assigned to this Division usually are those skilled in stealth tactics. While not obtain information many are either deciphering it or working in the Aviary delivering messages.
• Barrier Division: Konoha's Barrier Division is comprised of Jounin in charge of maintaining the village's first barrier which surrounding Konoha is named the Phoenix Gates. Managing gate entries, patrolling the surrounding forest detecting intruders, and intercepting them, and responding to surrounding emergencies are some of this divisions additional responsibilities.
• Correctional Division: Shinobi who are responsible for monitoring other Shinobi, make up this Division. While also tasked with looking into criminal activity within the village, they also supervise prisoners. Being the only shinobi outside the Anbu branch to have access to the Black Tea House's entryway to Konoha's only prison. Here they guard and watch over a varied ranking of shinobi and non-shinobi prisoners. They are generally the ones who quell uprisings or deal with escapees, using any force necessary.

Medical Corps

• Combat Readiness Corps: Generally comprised of those medic-nin who have either battle experience or an ability to perform at a higher level in the face of imminent danger. Dispatched with other teams from other branches, these medics are capable of operating as the solo medic and find themselves doing so routinely.
• Recovery Corps: These shinobi generally work at the hospital full-time, and their roles are similar to those of field medical-nin in that they are deployed to aid the comrades who are out on missions. However, unlike field medical-nin that normally get assigned to other teams comprised of Anbu or shinobi from Main Branch, they move as an independent team comprised solely of medical-nin.

Branch Leadership Ranks

Head Jounin is a main branch position in the shinobi system of Konohagakure. As the leader of the regular shinobi forces, they oversee many of the mission assignments given to shinobi within the branch. Responsible for assigning exam proctors and overlooking applicant records this shinobi is generally a busy individual. Still officially a Jounin themselves, it is not unusual to see the Head Jounin leading missions directly handed down from the Hokage and Sennin.

Rank Requirement

• At-least Jounin Rank. Appointment by Hokage and Sennin.

Rank Responsibility

• Overseeing Examinations
• Mission Assignment (Automatically an M-Mod)
• Responsible for overseeing the Academies curriculum
• May be assigned to lead high-risk missions

Considered to be the most trusted and knowledgeable of Konoha's medical shinobi, the Chief has complete oversight on the inner workings of the hospital. One can expect the Chief to be highly capable at discerning and healing various ailments, diseases that would baffle a normal medic.

Rank Requirement

• At-least Jounin Rank. Appointment by Hokage and Sennin.

Rank Responsibility

• Responsible for ensuring their subordinates capable of performing their job
• Typically oversees any imminent health threats which pose a risk to the village.
• Maintains a watchful eye and ears for unethical practices by other medics.
• Mission Assignment (Automatically a M-mod)
• Participates in high risk missions as medical support

Village Leadership Ranks

Sennin help the Hokage govern the village and to make sure all decisions are made with the best interest of Konoha and its inhabitants in mind. Although the Hokage always has the final say in the matter, the Sennin are there to give their opinions and advice, thus making sure the decisions made are fair and take into account all possibilities and viewpoints. Being highly capable shinobi themselves, their viewpoints are taken with great consideration.

Rank Requirement

• At-least Jounin Rank. Appointment by Hokage and/or Branch Leader votes.

Rank Responsibility

• Serves as part of an IC council, whom the Hokage deliberates with regarding village politics
• While not required to Sennin may choose to lead missions
• Mission Assignment (Automatically a M-mod)

The Hokage is the Kage of Konohagakure, a title bestowed on the village's leader. The Hokage is generally regarded as the strongest shinobi in the village. The Hokage is responsible for most of the village's day-to-day affairs, such as assigning the village's ninja to missions or securing funding for the village's projects and personnel. The Hokage spends most of their time in the village, only travelling abroad for events of vital importance to Konoha. Each Hokage typically lives according to the Will of Fire, a philosophy that holds that Konoha is a family and that the Hokage is chiefly responsible for protecting that family.

Rank Requirement

• At-least Jounin Rank. Appointment by Sennin, Branch Leader vote and/or Village Council.

IC Rank Reward

• Hokage Robe: The new Hokage is granted a ceremonial haori which is generally depicted with the hokage's assention order.

Rank Responsibility

• Lead the Village
• Mission Assignment (Automatically a M-mod)