Board Thread:Versus Debates/@comment-31338621-20190129080042/@comment-9782468-20190205195801

JamesSenpai wrote: "Minato likes to set up with a Kunai field. Itachi is pretty tactical. He'll use this point to substitute himself out for a clone, possibly a clone explosion. When Minato goes in for a speed attack which is his go to, Itachi will be able to gauge his speed and take the appropriate measures.

Maybe even realizing his only chance to survive is Susano'o. Then it goes, can Itachi trap Minato in Genjutsu? It's hard to say. Minato has the better speed feats and statements so, based off that he's faster. Minato is going to be outspeeding Itachi. I think Itachi's Genjutsu chances are limited. But until Itachi does it, Minato won't expect it. I think there's a high possibility Minato will look into Itachi's eyes in which Itachi will respond with Sharingan: Genjutsu (I don't see Itachi utilizing Tsukuyomi off the back unless he gauges Minato's speed beyond his own). Now whether Minato can break it or not, Itachi will still have time to strike. Minato will be frozen, and that will be Itachi's time to strike." Just basically pointing out how Itachi stands a chance and can likely win this fight through cunning and being on guard. Minato is a great Shinobi, but so is Itachi. There's a high chance of Itachi getting Minato in a Genjutsu when Minato first looks into his eyes, possibly even Tsukuyomi if Itachi realizes Minato is a threat through the first initial trade. It's highly likely he will when Minato teleports and moves around. But even just Sharingan Genjutsu might be enough. First Minato's Genjutsu skills are unknown, common sense would say as a Hokage, he would be able to break common Genjutsu. Of course, that's still would only be a theory unless the series stated or shown it. Even then, Itachi isn't just any type of Genjutsu user and his Genjutsu's aren't just any Genjutsu. So the odds of him breaking free is slim based off the series, and maybe he does, what stops Itachi from using his more than enough speed to go in for a decisive blow as he is combating the Genjutsu? Sure I think Minato has a better chance, due to Itachi's style of combat being more strategic which can cost him, but Itachi has just as good of a chance of beating Minato as Minato has of beating him. I separated your argument into paragraphs so I could discuss each point.

Minato set up a kunai field with the Raikage, but when has he done this since then? He didn't against Obito, he didn't against TTJ Obito, he didn't against the Ninja he saved Kakashi from. That's one tactic, but I haven't seen enough to call it his "go-to." Also, substituting a clone is iffy. Minato has shown exceptional sensing and observation. Noarmally Itachi can set up a clone because he's that much faster than his opponents. But Minato is just the guy who could see through it if there was anyone who could. Itachi has a better chance at clone feints during the heat of the fight, not at the beginning while both are watching closely.

Minato can warp away chakra constructs, so Susanoo would be a huge disadvantage for him to pull out. Mainly because Minato has the speed to dodge it and the abilities to teleport it away. As far as Genjutsu, the series already showed that a sharper mind has a greater chance at seeing through Genjutsu immediately. I don't think any of Itachi's lower Genjutsu would affect Minato much at all; Tsukuyomi would most likely beat Minato, and Genjutsu Sharingan would probably hold him long enough to make an opening. But any other Genjutsu probably isn't enough. As to whether Itachi could establish eye contact, that's up for debate. Itachi is a masterful Shinobi when it comes to directing fights, but Minato is much keener and faster and more skilled than anyone Itachi's ever fought. So, it's debatable whether or not Itachi would catch him in a Genjutsu.

Keep in mind that Minato is a sensor. He could most likely sense chakra build up in the eyes and guard accordingly. Also, remember that when Itachi used Tsukuyomi on Kakashi, Itachi took a second to actually cast it. Kakashi had time to tell Asuma and Kurenai to shut their eyes and explain they didn't have a chance without a Sharingan. Minato would probably notice Itachi using his Mangekyo as fast or faster than Kakashi did, so he's got a big shot at knowing to look away.