play nice with the new guy mage. i don't see any earth-shattering declarations or enlightening theories coming from your way...

My list: (and brief why's):

Jiraiya: Following in the footsteps of the 3rd and Asuma, this guy was slated for death the moment he took over as Naruto's sensei. Also, the foreshadowing brought on in his latest scene with Tsunade, plus the fact that he's in the heart of Akatsuki territory, potentially up against their two strongest, doesn't bode well. See Obi-wan.

Tsunade: Unless she pulls some 'I'm retiring' BS, there's no other way Naruto becomes Hokage, which is how I see the series ending, since it has that 'If you dream you can do it' shounen theme throughout it. Also, Orochibuto and/or Roots has to kill somebody major.

Orochimaru/Kabuto-Orochibuto has to die. There's no real thought necessary on this; his storyline has been the longest standing threat to Konoha. I see him dying in a draw with Tsunade or being killed in revenge by Naruto.

Kisame - That new shark kid with Zabuza's sword in Hebi, along with the help of the rest of the group, takes this guy down in preperation for Sasuke v. Itachi. That or the three other Hebi fight Kisame while Sasuke fights Itachi.

Itachi - The Uchiha storyline, as we know it, can only end this way. Unless those wild theories are true and he was somehow forced to kill his clan by Madarame Uchiha or something else crazy like that, this guy is dead on Sasuke's sword. It would be pretty lame if he turned out to be 'a good guy in hiding all this time' who dies trying to help Sasuke or is wrongly killed by Sasuke.

Rest of Akatsuki - Especially Tobi/Madarame. That guy has 'I'm the real villain' written all over him. Maybe a guy like Zetsu simply disappears...


On the cusp:
Kakashi? I don't know if he needs to, but it might serve well with the whole 'younger generation taking over' thing. Also, I still see it as his failure as a teacher that added to Sasuke leaving. I wouldn't be surprised if he got taken down by Itachi or Sasuke. Then again, maybe he survives to become 'the wise old ninja'.

Iruka? Will this guy actually ever do anything in a major battle outside of the Mizuchi fight? If so, he dies on the Obi-Wan/Teacher kick as well.

Gai? I doubt it, but he could also be another one of the leaders to go down... Yes, essentially I'm saying that everyone holding a teacher/authority position in Konoha could get the axe, except for Kurenai. Good job saving yourself by getting preggerz.

Yamamoto? I wouldn't be surprised if he gets killed by an enraged Kyuubi/Naruto and creates a big 'I have to pull my powers under control' angst kick for the stupid main character. Otherwise, he's slated for death by Orochibuto and/or total randomness, or just fades into the background...

Sai? Opposes Roots and dies? Or just is altogether forgotten until Kishi wants to pull some gay jokes? Or a combo of both...

Sai aside, I don't seriously see any of the young Konoha ninjas dying. I think that if Kishi was going to have stuff like that happen, it would have happened starting with Chouji and Neji, or at least with Gaara. But the fact that the only kids to ever die are on the bad sides (Haku through Kimimaro) makes me think it's going to stay that way, meaning even the useless Ino makes it through.