The
name given to the genin cell of Sarutobi Hiruzen, consiting of Jiraiya, Orochimaru and Tsunade. During the Second Great Shinobi
War, they battled Salamander Hanzou, the leader of Hidden
Rain to a standstill. Hanzou was so impressed with their abilities to survive the battle, he spared their lives on the condition they accept the title of "Sannin of Konoha". Over time, their skills grew
even further and they gained a wide reputation as Konoha's Legendary Three.
Legendary Sannin:
The three of you are
strong.
Even within this strife, you survived.
I, Hanzou... hereby honour you as the "Sannin of Konoha."