you know, kakashi really isn't given much credit. he is quite strong

i also like the fact that so far in the series only people of relatively the same level fight each other

kakashi vs zabuza
oro vs 3rd
jiriaya+tsunade vs oro(all though this was an unfair fight)

that way it doesnt seem like naruto and comp. are unusally strong and better than the higher ranked ninjas. it keeps the series realistic