Board Thread:Versus Debates/@comment-31338621-20190129080042/@comment-5085906-20190205215230

AsianReaper wrote: 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. I think this part right here which was aptly put by AsianReaper perfectly explains the hype surrounding Itachi. He never fought someone of his caliber. And no, Kabuto doesn't count - Itachi stretched himself a new jutsu out of thin air just to beat him and the whole thing was too plot convenient. Yes, he got Orochimaru in a genjutsu; even then, Orochimaru nearly succeeded in breaking the spell but had his hand cut off by Itachi, who was in close proximity, at the last minute. It's also worth noting we never saw if the fight went any longer or if it simply ceased then and there, so we can't say Itachi certainly one-shot him as many claim he did. Either way, a shinobi like Minato, touted for his fast reflexes and genius intellect who was already established to be stronger than Orochimaru and less likely to mess around would easily break a standard genjutsu. So, Tsukuyomi's the only serious threat which Minato faces when it comes to Genjutsu. As for the rest of the Mangekyou repertoire, they can all be countered by Minato with ease and could only pose a threat if Itachi comes up with a creative use for them. Which brings up another point:

Itachi's intelligence seems more like an informed feat. No, I'm not trying to say he's not prodigious or intelligent, but the only intelligent tactic he's used was implanting the crow carrying Shisui's eye in Naruto, and even that carried some unforeseen consequences. All of his fights/scuffles, he won by being better than the opponent. Deidara? Had him in a genjutsu all along. Orochimaru? Same. Kabuto? Deus Ex Izanami. Minato, while not to the extent of Shikamaru, has shown to be much more versatile with his skillset. So, needless to say, this is not gonna be another run of the mill Itachi scuffle - he's gonna have to face an opponent which he can't just beat by being better than him.

Also, as a conclusion, I'd like to point out that I feel like Sage Mode is really being slept on in this discussion. Yes, Minato can't maintain it for long, but he can tap into it pretty fast and he can keep it up enough to conjure a Rasengan. Since he's able to close a long distance with his Shunshin and FTG, it wouldn't be very difficult for him to land a direct hit on Itachi with his eyes closed to prevent Tsukuyomi, provided his Susanoo is not active at the time.