This is a small version my friend wrote out...That's a very interesting point.
IA Kakashi's performance against the Akatsuki should be compared with the likes of Asuma and in my book, Asuma actually outperformed him.
Both Asuma and Kakashi were going toe to toe with Hidan in CQC, except that Kakashi had full knowledge on Hidan's abilities, Hidan couldnt use his rope in that fight, and Kakashi had the Sharingan.
Asuma fought Hidan without any knowledge on his abilities, and had to deal with that tricky rope, which can change the scythe's trajectory in any moment (thats how Asuma got caught off guard), and also Asuma doesnt need a Sharingan to keep up with Hidan.
People say Shikamaru was helping Asuma, with his shadows, fine, but look at all the help Shikamaru gave to Kakashi... imagine if he couldve helpe Asuma so much?...
Shikamaru told Kakashi about Hidan's abilities; he found a way to get rid of Hidan's rope; he found a way to use Hidan'a ritual on Kakuzu; he created an opening with Choji, for Kakashi to jump in and destroy the Domu mask; he also used the shadow jutsu to help Kakashi against Hidan for a while; Shikamaru took Hidan to a forest, where he had this trap all set for him.
That's a lot of help.
To start Asuma fought on the front lines from the start meanwhile, Shikamaru was the one to fight on the front lines for a whole chapter before Kakashi use Raikari to destroy 1 of Kakazu hearts. This is equivalent to Asuma decapitating Hidan's head. Asuma had cut down the kunai sword from Hidan in a clash. Asuma then cut down the other kunai sword and actually blocked off the scythe even when Asuma was blindsided by the kunai sword. Asuma does so In close proximity then that of normal cqc distance with the kunai sword Tilt still being in mid air as he Orginally blocked the scythe. Asuma was cut because he changed the position of the scythe mid clash.
Asuma carved his weapon through spiritual energy which is where you use your minds energy to build and carve chakra. Which is a good technique but it sets off the chakra as it's built for a sole purpose. Which is why the chakra is set off afterwards. When Asuma actually stops in his tracks to do so as he's seeing waiting for Hidan thrown kunai sword before cutting it down.
Had Asuma grinded his chakra effectively and in character he did orginally which is why when he first clashed his chakra stayed on. Even the second time Asuma use hien where he channeled chakra this time is that we see wind chakra stay on even after hien is swung. We see Asuma use chakra sword that will beneficial here. Asuma had just chosen the wrong move which was exploited by going in with no knowledge. Which makes sense but Asuma wasn't losing just on being far inferior. In fact in character how many times would wind chakra be cut off or not used in response when that's Asuma' calling card.
After Asuma was burned, hole through his leg, blitzed and slammed by Kakazu. Was able to dodge a spear pretty much right at his face and dodge the Scythe through Hidan attempting to blindside Asuma through his timing from each other attacks.
Asuma would of cut through Hidan scythe and the latter will favor Asuma considering Hidan loses the factors to cut Asuma. The anime scene where Hidan scythe ignore wind chakra will not happen it will cut down against a ropeless Hidan and move on from there. Sure Asuma has to hone it right and use the right arm but that's all. Indicating there is proper rate for Asuma to win or go further against a harder Hidan without knowledge. The problem with Kakashi his anime counter part scenes are exaggerated. Hidan scenes were 1 v 1 as he forced clashes with Kakashi 3 times just by going. Short distance up a tree before Kakazu wind mask got up and blasted area. Hidan was supporting Kakazu mask and wasn't being supported. Kakashi didn't land a cut either and having a kunai only will not of carried him to decapitation or cutting of limbs with a different weapon especially against the Hidan Asuma faced. All of Kakashi ninjutsu is useless outside raikari. Kakashi was being caught up and clashed with and couldn't avoid all he could do was block even with 3T advantage. He clashed with Hidan a second executive 3 times and same result of nothing although Hidan didn't land an attack either. Kakashi did have to deal with wind mask and avoid fire mask and save team Asuma from lightning mask but this has nothing to do with Hidan or have him jump those miles stone. In fact once Shikamaru took Hidan away Kakazu blitzed Kakashi twice. The first Shikamaru saved him so both needed saving by Shikamaru. Which is fair Asuma dealing with surprise ritual and Kakashi a blitzing technique. Remember most people wouldn't think a scratch lead to a ritual a arguable reason to why Asuma thought he was fine clashing without even setting wind chakra which wouldn't take a second. Both Asuma and Kakashi wouldn't tag a rope Hidan atleast for a while. Kakashi can't cut weapons like Asuma or efficiently. Asuma reactions were nowhere near inferior to Kakashi with 3T as per canon. Meaning Kakashi limits is not much above Asuma and has drawbacks. Kakashi survived but he was surviving a battle he wasn't advancing.
People look very narrow at feats is the problem and not analytical.
1. People wank that because Hidan was dodging around the shadows and Asuma was scratched that he is far below. However in actuality it's not the case in manga but in anime. In manga Asuma waited for the assault of the kunai which means it wasn't 2 v 1 directly. People need need to know directly vs non directly. What is ignored is that Hidan was more towards Asuma direction and jumped further back from the broken kunai sword where Shikamaru shadows came into the scene. Asuma having support doesn't guarantee unrealism. Hidan wasn't troubled by the shadows because in canon they were still coming of the ground and wasn't at him. He was using rope to pace away from the shadow. In fact we see how much slower Shikamaru shadows are when Hidan easily jumped across. The only time Shikamaru got close was doing the progress where Asuma blocked the scythe and scratched. Where Hidan is forced to evade without bringing his rope in as evidence.
2. Kakashi had no support? When Shikamaru gave him knowledge and more relaxed because of a plan with that intel. While by Asuma noted to be out of character by Shikamaru. Shikamaru literally fought Hidan and Kakazu on the front lines before Kakashi joined to land raikari. Shikamaru destoyed the rope as well. Only single damage he got was because support. Asuma only got decapitation because of support but it's just being honest..
3. Kakashi was 2 v 1? But where? Hidan clashed in two sequence without Kakazu presence. The mask came in but has nothing to do with Hidan. Hidan distracted Kakashi for the wind mask to come up. Where does that mask help Hidan in fact just blasted them. Oh maybe the fire mask that was dodged by the others and Hidan clashed 4 times at the tree and the fire was still no where near them.
4. It was obvious Asuma couldn't land a hit on Hidan but where did Kakashi.
Read this carefully.
Asuma cut down the thrown kunai sword and was off guarded as Hidan got his scythe in closer proximity then typical close combat. Asuma wasn't cut he blocked the scythe orginally he was cut because Hidan changed the position of the scythe because he honed wind chakra wrong. Asuma uses spiritual energy to charge his blade. This is why when he swung hien instantly it was cut off but later on Asuma hones wind chakra and swings hien and it stayed on After. Sure maybe he needed to use the right arm or maybe he thought he was fine since he did block and didn't no about the ritual. However it was clear more about wrong move rather then less skilled. We saw plenty of techs were wind chakra stays on. Even without no knowledge the chances are still there for Asuma he just got the chance where he would fall. Even after Asuma was burned, hole through his leg, blitzed and knee stomped by Kakazu likely breaking his back. He dodged Hidan spear right at his face again at close proximity but people say he barely dodged. Then reacted and dodged the scythe in timing.
Asuma could deal with double timing weapons at closer proximity then typical close combat attacks despite being off guarded. Where Hidan loses that rope manipulation and doesn't even use any other tools. Yeah i'm sorry but where is Asuma in trouble in Kakashi position.
Is it where with once Shikamaru plan captures Hidan and put Kakazu back. That Asuma decapitates Kakazu depending in suprise before or after kakazu does domu. Which if he does I put Asuma still decapitating but hien vs Domu is arguable debate. However that wouldn't make Asuma inferior just may not have the answer. Anyways he can still decapitate Hidan as well.
Is it where Hidan clash with Kakashi in support of wind mask? Without the factors Hidan needed to land a cut he cut the scythe down and limits the distraction for the mask and just evades. There wouldn't be multiple clashes before Asuma uses chakra sword and begin cutting limbs because he now has nothing to defend against that or swing hien. Hidan isn't dumb so he may collab diffrently with Kakazu but then that would be a different situation. Asuma loses where Kakashi goes down against Kakazu. Where to be fair atleast Asuma has a more effective tool the chakra blades with no hand signs that has a high rate of cutting through some of it atleast. Especially like when Kakazu shoots his hands to grab Kotetsu and Izumo let that be Asuma and he looses a hand.
Put Kakashi in Asuma position where Hidan was already forcing Kakashi. He forced three attacks against Kakashi despite running up a short distance up a tree. He could only block and forced back. Even the second time he went back but was caught up to. Where Asuma could cut weapons more effectively Kakashi may not as effectively or in character. So Hidan may keep both kunai's which is dangerous. Kakashi will fight differently but we don't know how.
The thing is we have knowledge. So Asuma lost he never stand a chance. Meanwhile we control how Kakashi wins with no knowledge. Clearly not knowing what no knowledge means.
