Sanin

Actually I would have to say that neither of the Sannin are the "strongest" per say. Kishimoto stated that the principle behind the shinobi teams being split into cells of three was based on a Japanese myth and that the Sannin were the true representation of that myth. In the myth there are three animals the slug, the toad, and the snake. Like the animals balanced each other out by playing up weaknesses and strengths so to do the shinobi teams. The snake is stronger than the toad, but weaker than the slug. The slug is stronger than snake, but weaker than than the toad. The toad is stronger than the slug, but weaker than the snake. So if the Sannin are the representation of this, which I believe they are, I don't really see how one of them could be the strongest. :) Indeed the battle between Orochimaru, Tsunade, and Jiraiya confirmed this. That's just my interpretation of it though.

I'd go with Jiraiya, but then, he's a TAD too lazy to realize his full potential...

I prefer Tsunade. She strong and she is medical Ninja.

I'll go with Tsunade.... her healing ability is superb...

I think Orochimaru cause of his techniques and skills...

i would definitely be Orochimaru... he would be the greatest due to his techniques.... he just became weak cause the third hokage cut the soul of his hands.. but he is not that weak..

It's hard to say since in the anime none of them have really shown off all of there abilities, but I'd have to say it's Jiraiya.

I think orochimaru usually bad guy has many ways to maintain strength

i think jiraiya, i mean, he has rasengan and the frog summon technique, isnt that more superb than orochimaru's snakes and tsunade's strength?

jiraiya is definately the best

well i choose jiraiya!! he is one of my fave characters ^^v eventhough he is perveted --' but i believe his ability is the strongest one between them.. and he is so funny ^^ lol

They are all strong but I think Orochimaru is still the strongest of the three. He has more jutsu than the two and he has already killed 2 Kages.

I think its a three way tie. Jiraiya could beat Tsunade, but not Orochimaru. Tsunade could beat Orochimaru, but not Jiraiya. Orochimaru could beat Jiraiya, but not Tsunade. I think it has to do with their summoned creatures and what they stand for in mythology, Toad vs Slug vs Snake.

i think jiraiya is!

i think its jiraiya for his agility and for his experience in training previous hokages, though because of his weakness on women, he could fail the other two. that makes tsunade sama gaining edge over him. orochimaru on the other hand may have acquired other skills and jutsu, he would still be weaker compared to tsunade because of his hatred and viciousness.

i guess both of the three of them are all strongand have different abilities.

i think oro because the other two cannot defeat him. And he managed to kill the third

i think orichimaru is the strongest among three because of the forbiden techniques he invented and he has very powerful techniques unlike jiraiya hes like more than just a summoner, tsunade is strong but i dont see her use any interesting techniques just power punch and kick and healing techniques

Jiraiya is probably the most powerful, but I think he just likes to hang back and relax so he never gets too serious. Even when the Sanins fought, he was at 1/4 power or so, because of Tsunade's poison and he was sort of on even against the "strongest" snake summon. So I think Jiraiya could own anyone.

I think i choose Tsunade that the strongest sannin because she have many "scaries" ability. She have an amazing strength. Moreover she can heal herself and can regenerate her cell body so the injury that she get can recovered faster. In fact orochimaru is very enthusiastic to get Tsunade because her power. But, finally she choose to become fifth hokage...