Wait, was this ever mentioned in the manga/anime or is this Databooks? Or maybe it was in the filler episodes after the end of part 1?
Not that I want to discredit the databooks, but as I've said before, I really don't like'em. They feel so tacked on and retcon'ish. But if it was listed in a databook, I suppose I'll have to take it as canon.
goldenarms said:
To be perfectly honest, there really isn't much of a reason to promote Naruto to Chunin or even Jonin, as he officially the strongest ninja on the planet. It might have even seemed like an insult to give him anything other than basically what he deserves -- Kage. To that end, I can see Kakashi leaving Naruto as a genin, as there isn't an official title for a Kage-in-training.
Hmm, I mean, I see what you mean. Just the same way Jiraiya and Tsunade were officially Jonin, but you bet your ass if they said something, the rest of Konoha probably scrambled to follow it, barring Sarutobi countermanding it. But they were shown to be smart in addition to strong, so I don't know how well that works Naruto.
But damn, imagine a guys night out at the bar and getting ribbed as the only genin, despite saving the world and shit. Haha, I could see Shino trolling Naruto in that subtle way and Kiba just being a dude!bro about it. Would make for a good slice-of-life/crack fic.