I completely disagree here. Not only is that simply not the case (just imagine the fuel Hiashi would have with rankings: Hinata, ISC, Rando, Gouketsu), but Leaf isn't the only village we would gain to impress. "Easily top of their cohort -- no contest" is very different from "made Chuunin by the skin of their teeth, even if it was their first year."
Put another way, if you continuously exceed all expectations, people will start to wonder where your limits really are. Merely "well above average" doesn't get you that level of awe and respect.
Not saying we should train to the exclusion of other opportunities -- we can certainly take time to lay groundwork for future politicking -- but I strongly disagree with the notion that some free time to socialize in Mist now is worth anywhere near as much as the opportunity to shine in the exams.
Do you imagine even people of middling importance like Ami would even bother to give us the time of day at present? Sure, we can sow inroads with younger generations or work in the background with the Yakuza, but that can only get us so far without an inordinate amount of effort. Effort that could be spent furthering our reputation such that eventually, maybe, instead of having to be crafty and continuously work hard to even be taken seriously, we are invited to partake in negotiations, and people expectantly look to us for our input as a matter of course.
.
