Simple, gain power get a good carry ninja and support ninja, save for rebates (the smarter way in doing it). I however, refuse to save for rebates, cause then it feels like I never get anywhere.

Back during 2.0, I was running Sage Naruto, Hinata, Kabuto and Water Main for nearly a year. Then when Jin 2 Dropped, i decided to work towards Roshi/Han/Sailor Sakura, and ran that for about a whole year, until I picked up 4th Hokage Minato, where I ran Minato, Pakura, Jigokudo with Water main for a few months until I got Edo hiruzen, and ran a Edo Hiruzen Blitz team (P1 Fire Main for CC with Bani Chakra), then threw in Edo Itachi about 4 months later. Now, I have SoSP Naruto, Madara (Founder) Fire Main, Edo Itachi. And I'm working towards my Edo Hashirama, so I can run him with my fully SB Sage Naruto.

My point is, even if you pick up Ninjas or use them for a long time, * it out, work towards getting good ninjas and run them for as long as you can keep them working. It can get boring mind you running the same team, but its something you have to do. If it isn't broke, don't fix it you know?