Board Thread:Versus Debates/@comment-31338621-20190129080042/@comment-31715856-20190202015917

BrainBrand wrote: In the novel, Minato did come 1st when it came to the first exam of the chunin exam, but do remember what Itachi did after the first test? Itachi took the 2nd test, of the chunin exam alone, he not only pass the test, but he set a new record. That eclipses anything Minato did during the test by far.

You're misunderstanding something that was explained in the series. Even phenomenal ninja aren't usually allowed to graduated from the Academy unless it's wartime or war is imminent. Itachi graduated the Academy exactly during the time of the unnamed war between Konoha & Kiri, the war that ended around the time of the Hyūga Affair. Remember, Itachi was 4 when Obito attacked Konoha, and Hinata was 3 when she was kidnapped, and Itachi was allowed to graduate at 7. So this is, as (I think) Mikoto explained in Part 1, the reason Itachi was allowed to graduate early. Had Sasuke been born during or near the start of a war, he'd have graduated early. We see other examples, such as with Kakashi and the Sannin, as well (the former near the start of WW3 and the latter 3 near WW2). Given Minato was regarded as arguably the most naturally talented ninja in history by Jiraiya and Ay (his rival no less) this isn't really a debate in canon, I think. Minato wasn't born near a war, he was born between the second and third Shinobi World Wars (check Seelentau's timeline on this wiki, it'll give you a clearer time range), that's why his graduation wasn't fast tracked. I mean come on, it's acknowledged he had better scores than anyone else had.

Hirashin is nothing Itachi can't handle. He doesn't even necessarily need Susanoo. With clones and fast handseal speed, he can deal with it.

How? No ninja besides a Juubi Jinchuriki Obito and Madara ever "handle" Minato when he's using FTG. Besides, there's ntohing indicating Itachi is any faster than Minato. And clones... bro, like everyone uses clones, even Minato. Itachi is fast but this isn't really a point in favor of putting his speed above instantaneous teleportation (which makes speed almost irrelevant).