Well Tobirama killed Izuna, whom was close to Madara's power. He has also encountered Amaterasu before. He should likely be higher.
Jiraiya was stated to be in the same league as Nagato and Itachi.
Are you rating old Hiruzen and old Hanzo, not their primes?
I'm a little surprised that you put Bee so high above 3rd Raikage, particularly since 3rd Raikage fought Gyuuki to a draw.
Those are the only ones that stand out the most to me, the others are always debatable.
Oh, and Kakuzu should be higher.
2. Well....he doesn't have to, but I feel power alone is not the be all end all as far as victory. I take into account the arsenal, power, and especially the wit and intellect of a character when I rank them. Naruto will receive a power up, but he has yet to....so I'll decide after. My opinion still remains....
I. Sasuke was said to one day surpass Madara.....that implies a gap more often than not a large one. It is not said he was closing in on Madara as far as power. It is only said that he will, however far into the future... surpass Madara. Not that he is intruding on the level of power Madara holds. It cannot be the case as....after that was said Madara easily defeated him without effort.
Nao I understand your position, but my opinion still remains. No disrespect as you probably know it's not my style....but I will stand firm upon my convictions. ^_^
I actually agree with you 100% there. Although admittingly the manga has started devolving into DBZ-lite, it's view of "power" was always vastly different. Match-ups, intelligence, environment, even circumstances, all play(ed) large roles in battles and their outcomes. It's this aspect that helped draw me to the series to begin with. And really, that is what to me makes these rankings so dubious and a little redundant. I agree more with grouping characters into a tiering system, similar to how Kishimoto does (Kage, Jonin, Chuunin, Genin).
I don't recall the chapter, but I recall the implications meaning that Sasuke was on his way to Madara's level. Even then, they didn't say he had to reach Itachi's level and then reach Madara's level, and it's the end of the manga so Madara is his next step.
Much respect.