So as it stands now a player cannot receive their ranking rewards in arena unless they have reached max rank. Before the cross server arena this was much easier to achieve due to players having much more fair compititon, and need be even had the option for win trading. But now especially at higher ranks the average player just gets outclassed with better ninjas and refines.
Players feel like there is no point in climbing the arena ranks, because they won't get the reward they worked so hard for if they don't get the max rank for the first time.
Now let me just get this straight, this post isn't someone complaining that they can't get max rank, I have already reached Sannin Six Paths before the cross server system. I am just a group leader that have seen many of my members complain about this feature, and I agree that it is a flaw in the system. If a player gets the kage rank they should get the kage reward, not the student reward.