Board Thread:Versus Debates/@comment-9782468-20141228070457/@comment-1018594-20150107083857

I don't think a lot of people recognize that the time periods Minato and Tobirama grew up in play a huge part in their mindsets, which is just as important as speed and jutsu in a fight.

Minato had more of a cushioned childhood, from what we've seen. He was able to go to the Academy, we can assume he had a decent family and a good marriage. He didn't really see much conflict until the Third Shinobi World War. He wasn't necessarily brutal when it came to combat; he did what he had to do.

Tobirama, however, was born and raised in battle. We saw how strict his father was, and by his twenties he was able to kill a Mangekyo Sharingan user with little to no trouble. It's often been said that Hashirama, Tobirama, Madara and Izuna were the strongest of their day: we've seen what Hashirama and Madara could do, so we have a decent idea of what Tobirama would be able to do as well. He has more of a killer instinct, not being afraid to deceive or trick his opponent to get a win.

Minato wasn't really seen in action until a war broke out, and his Flying Raijin (which he already knew by then) was the only reason he became a hero. Tobirama was born in the most violent period known, having to fight as soon as he could hold a weapon, he still had time to invent a buttload full of jutsu and he outlived all four of his brothers...including the one that was known as the God of Shinobi.