Board Thread:Theories and Speculation/@comment-36512555-20200202084241/@comment-32685487-20200207230842

Itachi holds Jiraiya in high regard, so of course he would say that.. and it was heavily hinted Itachi was the one leaking information to Jiraiya in the first place so either he was doing it anonymously or Jiraiya was also acting along with him. Kisame knows all about the Sannin.. literally everyone does.. yet Kisame also knows Itachi's abilities so Kisame himself doubts Itachi would only tie with Jiraiya in the end and seems to think Itachi would win instead and still thinks that afterwards too. Orochimaru is stronger than Jiraiya, Orochimaru says Itachi is stronger than himself and Sick Itachi is in a higher tier in Genjutsu, Hand Seals, Speed, and Intelligence over Jiraiya while they are in the same tier in Ninjutsu and Taijutsu, Jiraiya is a higher tier in Stamina and Strength. Jiraiya's only sure way of defeating Itachi is the Toad Song genjutsu. Orochimaru with both arms is above the other Sannin that is clear enough, and HE says it is only a broken dream to try and take Itachi's body because Itachi is stronger than him. So Sage Mode Jiraiya would be more likely to tie Itachi, not base Jiraiya.