Sennin

The Japanese term sennin is a loanword from Chinese xiānrén 仙人 "immortal person".

A Sennin in a ninja who is not only very powerful and mastered in the arts of ninja, but has also shown great accomplishments in their life and given much to their village. The title of Sennin in an honorary name given only to those who are at the very top of their village, and they often fall into leadership positions if they have not filled them already. It is from the pool of Sennins in a village that most often a Kage will be named.

To become a Sennin, a ninja must not only achieve a level of skill far above their peers, but must also be recognized by their village for their great deeds. There is no test to become a Sennin, a village will either give a ninja the rank or they will not based on their own merit.