4 Genin with Hokage power level, rated

Combat system jutsu v Naruto it has an official ranking system, as do the ninjas who use these techniques. These ranks are meant to accurately describe each ninja's level of experience and power, but of course Naruto anime is full of exceptions or unusual cases. Some chunin and jonin are weaker or more generic than their genin juniors, and some of these special genin can outperform even the average jonin.

Genin may officially be the lowest ninja outside of the academy students, but a few of them have become true powerhouses who don't need promotion to impress everyone. Four particular ninjas are like that, with some of them actually reaching the rank of Kage, while others are content to let their actions do the talking. All four cases suggest that in many ways, taking the chunin exam to rank higher can be overrated.

Kosuke Maruboshi has been a genin for decades

Kosuke could be a mentor to Genin everywhere

Naruto Fans are wise to skip the filler arcs to keep up the pace and focus on the relevant story arcs, but the filler episodes can offer something truly special every once in a while. One example is the filler character Kosuke Maruboshi, who adds a whole new perspective on official ninja ranks and experience value. Kosuke is an elderly genin with decades of hard-won experience, making him a stark contrast to the pre-village days when ninja often died young.

Kosuke is a classic example of how experience and determination can make up for any lack of special qualities such as kekkei genkai or noble rank. Other ninja would be shy to even enter their 20s as a genin, let alone become an elderly genin, but Kosuke wants it that way. It is his self-punishment for reckless actions that killed his teammates, but despite his heavy guilt, Kosuke is a formidable fighter who can defeat many ninjas at once with his utensil-based fighting style. Not nearly as strong as the other genin that rivals Kage, but still worth mentioning.

Gaara of the Sand jumped from Genin to Kage

Gaara's rank changed more than his power levels changed

In the Land of Waves Arc, Kakashi expanded Naruto's view of the world by noting that there are ninja who are younger than Naruto but stronger than Kakashi himself. Gaara of the Sand was obviously one of those young powerhouses, but like Naruto Uzumaki himself, Gaara would probably rather be average and loved than a living weapon. Gaara can be the envy of every genin and even some Kage, yet Gaara would probably trade it for a normal one like his brother and sister.

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As a jinchuriki, Gaara was a born powerhouse that was soon feared as monsters, warping Gaara into a state of constant bloodlust. He absolutely crushed the opposition in the Chunin Trials Arc and nearly destroyed the Hidden Leaf Village as Orochimaru's secret weapon, only to have the talk jutsu change everything. Later, Gaara made the jump from genin to Kazekage, but his power levels did not multiply as much. Gaara was indeed stronger Naruto Shippudenbut he was still almost as strong as a genin which is funny.

Sasuke challenged the Assembled Kage as a Rogue Genin

Sasuke raises his fist with his Sharingan activated.

Sasuke Uchiha was fiercely determined to surpass and defeat his brother Itachi, and this, combined with his natural talent with the Sharingan eyes, made him a fearsome genin. He almost passed the bell test in ways he wasn't supposed to, and soon after charged even more with the Cursed Seal. According to Naruto ShippudenSasuke was packed with incredible jutsu and a cunning mind to hold it all together, all while technically still being a genin.

Naruto: X characters that can destroy an entire nation

Naruto: 7 characters that can destroy an entire nation

These Naruto characters are powerful enough to destroy countries.

Sasuke leaving the Hidden Leaf Village was the only reason he stayed at such a low rank because he didn't have a chance to return home and pass the chunin and jonin exams. It almost didn't matter anyway because Sasuke cared far more about his actual power level than having a rank on paper to make it official. Disregarding the chain of command of his home village, Sasuke operated as a solo agent who wanted Itachi dead at all costs. Since the Kage Summit Arc, Sasuke has been formidable enough to fight all the Kage and survive, an amazing feat even for an Uchiha.

Naruto Uzumaki took his own path to the rank of Hokage

Believing in yourself is more valuable than any promotion

Like his rival turned mortal enemy, Sasuke, Naruto Uzumaki cared more about his true power level than his official rank. Like Sasuke, Naruto had left the Hidden Leaf Village to train with a member of the Sannin for several years, so he had no chance to retake the chunin exam. Seeing his old friends become chunin or even jonin made Naruto feel envious and a little insecure at first, but that didn't last. Unlike Sakura or Shikamaru, Naruto had the advantage of the Sannin's training and Kurama's titanic chakra, meaning that Naruto was poised to become stronger than all of his friends combined.

Throughout Naruto ShippudenGenin Naruto sent his power levels through the roof as he unlocked everything from Rasenshuriken to Sage Mode to his multi-tailed biju cloak. At that moment Naruto ShippudenThe official ranking system meant very little to anyone anyway, as every main character hovered around jonin level to Kage or even beyond. This can really worry someone Naruto to fans who probably felt that the anime was abandoning its own rating system and fighting style in favor of a reskinned one Dragon Ball Z. For better or for worse, Naruto became by far the strongest genin in the world, the only one who could save everyone from true evil.