Aaron Nowack wrote:

I'd postulate that there must exist some sort of "ninja secondary
school" which these genin attend (while perhaps also performing support
duties of various sorts) and eventually reach a point where they either
graduate to become fully active ninja or get shunted into some sort of
reserve system.

That's still a pretty slow replacement rate, but it's the best
explanation I can come up with.  :)

It's a good one. It also explains where that large pool of apparently 
rather talentless leaf genin in the first and seconds exams came from. 
They were from these second stringers, trying to prove themselves again.

All the genin level ninja in the leaf could not take one of the Kage
(Kabuto doesn't count).

I wouldn't be so certain.  Barring Naruto and potentially other rare
exceptions, even the most powerful ninja has a finite amount of chakra.
 They can't fight at full strength forever, even if their opponents
never land a blow on them.  A sufficient number of reasonably talented
genin could, eventually, wear down the Kage, though most of them would
die in the process.

It's entirely possible, though, that the "sufficient number" greatly
exceeds the number available.  :)

Yeah, basically my point. When you consider the resources at their 
disposal, that sufficient number starts looking mighty high. Effectively 
almost infinate, in fact.

Well, forgetting entirely about all other techniques, how many genin do 
you estimate it would take to deal with a great summons? I might be 
convinced that the Rookie 9 + Team Gai could barely deal with Gamabunta. 
Maybe. Veeery maybe.

As I think of it, though, some ninja of that level do seem to have 
practical limitations. Tsunade, relatively lacking in mass-murder 
jutsus, could probably be worn down. Some of the Akatsuki would have 
problems with a mass suicide charge and/or extended combat they choose 
not to run away from (Deidara, fi, would probably run low on ammo after 
"only" a few dozen casualties).

The laws of the genre dictate that dramatic increases in power come only 

>from 1) obsessive training, 2) desperation or 3) death of a close 

friend/teacher. There is also 4) outside items or beings of power, but 
these always end up having drawbacks or fatal weaknesses.

Therefor, the ninja village that wishes to win a war should strive their 
utmost to instill obcession, arrange deadly circumstances (among their 
weaker ninja, don't want to risk those already powerful) and close bonds 
to civilians (it is counterproductive to arrange the death of a sensei 
to strengthen the students unless the sensai is old and losing ability 
anyway).

Heh.

Really, I doubt the raid will be half as effective as the Mist hoped. I 
forsee mucho powerups for the leaf supporting cast in the near future. 
The laws of action-ninja narrative demands it!

I mean look. For every single leaf ninja, there has been a) an insult to 
their pride. 2) A failure of their duty. 3) A threat or loss to their 
precious people. It's an ingrediant list for great ninja power.

William

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