[quote=Yog Sothoth]
Because the village produced one of the most badass villains in naruto.
[/quote]

So did Kiri (Zabuza). So did Taki (Kakazu). So did Suna (Gaara - Chuunin Exams). So did Iwa (Deidara).

So the excuse "LOL BECAUSE PAIN WAS AWESOME" is really a rather droll attempt at reasoning.