Ninja Ranks

[Chie Masami]

Ninja Ranks

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The Ninja in the world all divide into different ranks. You ought to know them before starting your profile.
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The Continent:

• Ninja Ranks - Generally
  
• Academy Student
  
• Genin
  
• Chuunin
  
• Jounin
  
• Special Ranks
  
• Increase in Rank

[Chie Masami]

Shinobi Organizational System

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Although there are variations from village to village, the general organisational structure and hierarchy of the ninja systems of each village is about the same. At the top of the organisation is the village head, or the Kage in the case of the five major villages. They rule the village and its shinobi together with a council, usually consisting of highly ranked shinobi and elders.

The regular forces form the foundation of the village and its shinobi system. The majority of shinobi are a part of these forces and together, either individually or in teams, they perform the majority of the missions the village receives. They are also tasked with the various duties within the organisation, such as training and office work.

[Chie Masami]

Academy Student

Academy students make up the student body of the Ninja 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. However, they can be conscripted as part of the war potential in times of emergency.

Academy students spend their time honing the various skills they are required to have and undergoing various tests and exams to see how they progress. Besides ordinary school subjects such as history and mathematics, they are taught the basics of Ninjutsu, Taijutsu, and most likely also Genjutsu. This includes learning about chakra and how to control it, tactics, hand seals, and several E-rank techniques, such as the Clone Technique and the Transformation Technique. They are also trained in working both individually and in teams.

[Chie Masami]

Genin

Genin are the lowest level of ninja and also the ones that display the most difference in power. When they become genin, ninja start to do their bit for their village'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, rarely, on 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.

Genin are put in four-man cells or squad, consisting of three genin and a jōnin-sensei, in order to learn teamwork and experience true ninja life under the supervision and protection of an elite shinobi. The make-up of these teams is based on the individual skills of the genin, so that there will be a balance between the teams.

Due to the fact that genin are the lowest level ninja, they normally provide limited use during dangerous missions (B-rank or higher), and are usually only capable of successfully completing E-rank or D-rank techniques. However, it should be noted that genin is simply a rank, and is not always an accurate representation of a ninja's skill level.

GENIN CHARACTERS MUST REMAIN WITHIN THEIR LIMIT.

[Chie Masami]

Chuunin

Chūnin are ninja who are qualified to watch over and guide other ninja. Chūnin have reached a level of maturity that primarily consists of leadership skills and tactical prowess. This is because the genin who don't have the skills to become chūnin are weeded out in testing. Some of them, function as Academy teachers and others serve as team leaders in charge of small teams who need to make decisions and utilize the skills of the shinobi under their command to the maximum effect. Chūnin are typically sent on C-rank or B-rank missions.

CHUUNIN CHARACTERS MUST REMAIN WITHIN THEIR LIMIT.

[Chie Masami]

Jounin

Jōnin are generally highly-experienced shinobi with great individual skill who serve as military captains. They are often sent on A-Rank missions, and experienced Jōnin may even be sent on S-rank missions (which are considered to be the greatest difficulty). It is not unusual for Jōnin to go on missions alone. Jōnin are generally able to use at least two types of elemental chakra, some genjutsu, and above-average taijutsu skills.

When a ninja becomes a Jōnin, they may be assigned three Genin to look over. One part of their duties is to help instruct and train these Genin to become competent ninja. In Konohagakure, it is up to the Jōnin to decide whether a candidate Hokage would be given the position permanently. They also have a special rank known as Jōnin Commander.

[Chie Masami]

Special Ranks

While there's the 3 basic Ninja ranks, there are more ranks to Ninjas that help classify the abilities of oneself. For example, there is a rank existing between Jounin level and Chuunin level, whilst there is one that may apply to any Ninja appointed to such a rank.

For instance, there is the Special Jounin rank. "Tokubetsu Jōnin" are ninja who, rather than all-around jōnin training, have Jōnin-level ability in a single area or skill, much like warrant officers of real-world militaries. They are elite specialists in their areas and are often assigned as subordinates to regular jōnin when their services are needed.

There is also a rank that is dedicated to the Kage or leader of a village, that being the famous ANBU. The ANBU, take orders directly from the Kage, performing special high-level missions, such as assassinations and torture. The ANBU usually work in teams formed to the requirements of the mission, ensuring maximum success. The shinobi in the ANBU are hand-picked by the Kage; chosen for their individual capabilities and special skills. Age, gender, background, or previous rank bear no weight in this decision. They wear their mask even in their own village, for their identity as an ANBU agent is to be known only by the Kage and village elders. An ANBU character might have been previously Genin, or even a Jounin.

The Medical Teams are the back-up of the shinobi forces. They consist of medical-nin, working behind the scenes to heal the sick and injured shinobi and to make sure the organisation is always in peak condition. They also do extensive research into new techniques, medicine, and into diseases and the human body. Although not seen very often, they are highly respected. Even to a jōnin, the advanced skills of these shinobi appear like magic. There are several medical shinobi that are sent with regular teams to ensure success rates.

There are many other ranks, but each village has its own unique extra ranks. There three are shown in every village, though.

[Chie Masami]

Increase in Rank

As a Shinobi, you might want to progress and go higher in rank. This is done through several tests that may vary in different villages, but the basics will be listed here. Every rank needs a special way to increase their ranks, also giving them access to more missions and more techniques.

Academy Students are often given tests. Passing this test does not automatically grant them this title, as they need to pass a second test given by their Jōnin instructor, but they do receive a forehead protector. Those who fail either of these tests are sent back to the Academy. The requirements for graduating vary from village to village.

To become a chūnin, a genin participates in a large examination, known as the Chūnin Exams. The tests of a Chuunin exam may vary in different villages and show different features, but nevertheless - this is a collection of difficult tasks to determine if a Genin can rank up or not. Passing the entire exam also might not always determine if you're upgraded or not.

The rank up to Jounin is exclusive to certain Chuunin who show great skill as Shinobi. The Jounin are usually appointed by the leader of their village, be it a Feudal Lord or a Kage, both have permission to grant this upgrade. There is also a rare case of holding a Jounin Exam in a certain village, the tasks being selected by the Kage of the village. These tasks however, top those of the Genin exam by several times and might have an area consisting of the entire village.

A Kage is only appointed by the village elders, for it is the responsibility upon one to take care of all Ninja in the village. A Kage is only appointed if showing great skill, intellect and/or caring for the village. This is one of the reasons a certain Ninja in Konoha once was declined for the rank, although being nearly the most powerful Shinobi in the village.