Each Ninja Envoy team was led by members of Kumogakure's ANBU, with some serving as team captains. In every case, the appointed leaders were ninjas at the peak of the Elite Jonin class, who could be considered quasi-Shadow level. They were capable of holding their ground, even if briefly, against weaker Shadow-level opponents such as Hidan or others of similar caliber. In the ninja world, ranks were not mere titles. Still, they represented true divisions of power, distinct thresholds that separated realms of strength: Genin and Chunin, Jonin, then the Shadow level, with further gradations beyond.
Genin and Chunin, for example, were regarded as belonging to the same general realm of strength, as their chakra reserves and quality were determined primarily by the strength of their souls. However, Jonin and above entered an entirely different spectrum, one where breakthroughs were rare and each step forward required both talent and hard work, resources, and opportunity.
After the technological and physiological advancements within Kumogakure, such as the establishment of gravity chambers, medical hibernation tanks, and other facilities that led to better techniques, whether due to Ron or in general better food and resources, many of its ninjas who had been stuck at the peak of the Jonin level for years finally broke through their bottlenecks. ANBU team leaders, personal guards of the Raikage, and other elite ninjas were among those who benefited most from these innovations. As a result, Kumogakure's high-end combat force expanded dramatically, quietly raising the village's overall power. Naturally, the Third Raikage and his advisors kept this development a closely guarded secret. Thus, to the outside world, the envoy teams appeared to be composed of "ordinary" Elite Jonin, concealing the true depth of Kumogakure's strength.
Within the Jonin class itself, there were still vast disparities. Special Jonin, for instance, often possessed a single outstanding ability or skill at the Jonin level but lacked the overall capability or quality to qualify as a full Jonin, or the opposite, their chakra might be Jonin Level, but they lacked the ability/skill for it. Among the standard Jonins, some excelled in chakra amount and combat experience or techniques, and each had a specialty but not weakness in other places, while others barely met the threshold and were barely Jonins. Even among Elite Jonin, differences persisted; some could face two regular Jonin at once due to their peak experience and all-around skills and no weakness, while others specialized in single, devastating techniques or abilities, such as Nin-Jutsu, Taikutsu, Illusion, or secret techniques or bloodline limits. In short, even within the same realm, strength was relative to differences.
This distinction was even more pronounced at the Shadow level. Weak or newly ascended Shadow-level ninjas such as Hidan or the young Deidara possessed great offensive potential due to their unique bloodline or abilities, but clear weaknesses in endurance or versatility, or other areas of general skills. In contrast, established Shadow-level figures like a young Sarutobi Hiruzen or the Fourth Raikage represented complete, well-rounded power, capable of leading villages and commanding armies. Above them stood the true elites of the Shadow realm, figures such as the Second Hokage Senju Tobirama, the original Third Raikage, Ohnoki of the Stone, and Uzumaki Nagato. These individuals were the pinnacle of what normal ninjas could achieve, usually.
It was important to note that "realm" referred to the fundamental strength of one's being, chakra quality, physical limits, and spiritual depth rather than to specific jutsu or bloodline techniques. Ninjutsu and Kekkei Genkai were tools that enhanced one's potential but did not by themselves define one's realm. Only bloodlines that strengthened the user's inherent nature, such as Hashirama's Sage Body, could do so. Indeed, even without Wood Release, Hashirama Senju's physical and spiritual might, amplified by Sage Mode, would have made him equal or superior to Uchiha Madara. If Tobirama could slice through branches of the God Tree using only Water Style, and if the Third Raikage could endure a Tailed Beast Bomb unharmed in his Lightning Chakra Mode, then it was clear that true power lay in one's foundation. Those like Danzo, who believed grafting Hashirama's cells and acquiring Wood Release would make them his equal, were delusional, confusing tools for essence.
As Karatachi Yagura approached the Kumogakure envoy by boat, he could sense the immense chakra emanating from the other side. These were no ordinary messengers; they radiated the sharp, contained pressure of Elite ninjas who had seen countless battles. This awareness made Yagura cautious, but also somewhat reassured. Powerful as they were, such teams would not have been dispatched for secret missions under the guise of diplomacy in the open; no village would sacrifice its best operatives who were Elite Jonins for subterfuge, which meant sacrifice, especially against an entire enemy village. Thus, while wary, Yagura allowed himself a measure of calm as he personally led the delegation toward Kirigakure.
Similar encounters unfolded across the other great villages.
In Iwagakure, the envoy team was received by Kitsuchi, literally meaning "Yellow Earth," Ohnoki's son-in-law. At this time, he was still a young but formidable man, standing just short of the Shadow level. Unlike in the original timeline, he had mastered the Lava Release bloodline limit, aided by the guidance of Roshi, the Four-Tails Jinchuriki. After the losses Iwagakure suffered during the annihilation of the Uzumaki Clan, Kitsuchi's resolve to become stronger had deepened. Recognizing his talent and loyalty, the village invested heavily in his training, and Ohnoki himself took pride in his progress. The old Tsuchikage now viewed his son-in-law as a man capable of one day sharing his burden. And though Ohnoki did not yet know it, in the years ahead, he would find even greater joy in another rising talent, Deidara, who was just newly born.
Meanwhile, in Sunagakure, the envoys were received by Ebizo, accompanied by his sister's grandson, Sasori. Still young, Sasori had already earned a reputation as a prodigious Jonin and a genius puppeteer. His creations and techniques had brought him renown throughout the Wind Country to the point where his fame had already begun to surpass that of Rasa, the Third Kazekage's disciple.