Board Thread:Theories and Speculation/@comment-36512555-20200202084241/@comment-9782468-20200208211341

Jiraiya went toe to toe with Pain, if you think for some reason Itachi is stronger than Pain and wouldn't let him go into Sage Mode, that's your opinion lol.

Itachi doesn't need to make Pain an exception to Kisame because Kisame knows. Kisame didn't make any exceptions, so why wouldn't backup include the entire Akatsuki or all of Zetsu? Because Kisame and hopefully the readers can use a bit of inference.

Where did it come from in the manga? I must have missed it. Jiraiya could deal with gravity probably better than Kakashi could, and Kakashi had plans that nearly killed it.

Are you one of those people who think Itachi match KCM Naruto in speed because of sparring? Again, Kakashi's attention was elsewhere and Hidan never managed a single cut with his massive scythe. He was not matching Kakashi in speed. Needle Jizo can counter Amaterasu, sealing can counter Amaterasu, Oil Flames can just carry Amaterasu back to Itachi, Needle Jizo counters Tsukuyomi, Sensing barrier to know when Itachi gets in close counters Tsukuyomi, and just your average dodging counters SoT.

Huh, I think I've been in the forums too long. I coulda sworn that there was an instance right after Itachi says he could only tie Jiraiya that Kisame doubted him. I think @FLatzone gave me that perception. Looking in the manga, can't find it. Although Itachi still had other truthful alternatives other than lying to get Kisame to leave.