Board Thread:Versus Debates/@comment-142748-20150410212019/@comment-26127155-20150412214841

Guys, as I have said before, both characters can win based on different circumstances. Hashirama would have a large advantage, if he forced the battle to be a long range contest, while Itachi would have a major advantage if the fight was in mid to short range combat.

The distance of the battle would be determined on three factors:

- Starting distance (Itachi's favor as it baits Hashirama into a short range battle.)

- Hashirama's personal preference in fighting (He could either choose to attack straight on or retreat to a safe distance)

- Itachi baits/presses Hashirama into fighting the distance of Itachi's choice.

As I have stated in previous comments, even though Itachi has a lot less destructive power and stamina than Hashirama, he only needs the slightest opportunity in order to finish the 'God of shinobi' for good. Hashirama would have to go straight into his strongest techniques in order better his odds at victory, but I doubt he would against someone like Itachi, an unknown to him (and this underestimation could be Hashirama's biggest downfall).

I believe that this would be similar to the way Hashirama died in combat (as once he is a full power he is nearly impossible to stop). Hashirama would have either underestimated an opponent (opponent killed him before he got to full strength), succumbed to either genjutsu or an OHKO (he could of been reckless due to his healing prowess).