There is probably some form of black ops ninjas that don't assosicate with jounins and lower etc, thats why you don't hear about it. Just the few elites of the elites are selected to do it or blah blah blah. Who knows? THere probably is, like they said some sites do acknowledge the "elite jounins". However I wouldn't doubt there is more, it can't be just six easy steps to hokage if not less.

By no way am I claiming any of it is easy I'm just over exaggerating in my state of insomnia and groggyness, I actually can see a fog in the room that makes everything blurry and its not smoke its just tiredneds...

My god I ramble alot when my brain begins to deteriorate due to lack of sleep.