Board Thread:Versus Debates/@comment-36394790-20180824122210/@comment-36697734-20180902065259

I disagree that Naruto was a borderline Jonin during the initial stages of Part 2, at least when he is in control of himself. He was a capable Chunin at best. Prior to the time skip, Naruto was a complete mess all around. Kyuubi going loose, Chakra control, and all that shit. Yes, we see him after the time skip with better Shadow Clone timings, less stupidity, better taijutsu but that's all standard. The height of his training peaked at Odama Rasengan because, like I've said, everything with him was a complete mess.

Basically, all I've said is that a highly capable ninja with prolonged Sage Mode, would beat an Uchiha, with access to EMS in a bloody fight, assuming no Forbidden Jutsu are used.

Kabuto, for example, was an excellent shinobi at his base form, even said to be Kakashi-level. With SM, though using his own hax like having Orochimaru's remains to increase reserves, Jugo's DNA for prolonged use of the said mode to level the playing field against two prodigies with MS and Susanoo. He was able to stand his ground, even gain the upper hand multiple times. He was only defeated using a Forbidden Jutsu.

I do agree that Naruto's locked potential is confounding for the SM>EMS hypothesis but I think Kabuto serves it well because the entirety of this hypothesis is a prolonged use of the mode pitting up against an EMS Uchiha.