 |
Kakashi is hailed as a natural genius, evidenced by his meteoric rise through the ninja ranks; graduating from the Academy top of his class at age 5, becoming a chūnin at age 6, and his high status in ANBU. Naruto notes that much of Kakashi's battle prowess and skills is greater than his friends who showed exceptional might in their own specific skills. A match for seemingly any opponent, it was also noted by Tsunade that Kakashi is easily one of Konoha's strongest ninja. His extensive and varied skill set allow him to fight or provide invaluable support against opponents of any level, from powerful missing-nin in Akatsuki to even the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path or the Ten-Tails itself. His various accomplishments have earned him much praise by his fellow Konoha ninja and he holds a position of great influence amongst them. He is frequently given responsibility for important tasks, such as watching Naruto in case the seal of the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox begins to fail as well as being considered an ideal and one of the most suitable candidates for the position of Hokage.
Other ninja villages are very aware of Kakashi and his abilities, and upon meeting him in battle, become afraid or excited by the challenge Kakashi is certain to pose. Pain, the most powerful member of Akatsuki, feared that Kakashi would interfere with Akatsuki's plans if left alive. This was later validated in the Fourth Shinobi World War when Kakashi defeated most of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist and later held off several "Version 2" state jinchūriki together with Might Guy.
