Things Minato Could Do That Naruto Can't

Summary

Minato was a top student and excelled in ninjutsu, genjutsu, and taijutsu from an early age.
Minato could conduct covert missions with strategic patience, a skill Naruto lacks.
Minato created the easily replicable and iconic Rasengan jutsu.

Prior to his ascension as the Seventh Hokage, Naruto Uzumaki was already amongst the world’s most formidable shinobi. This is because he had successfully mastered the enigmatic Sage Mode, tapped into the power of the nine-tailed beast, and amassed the awe-inspiring might of the Sage of the Six Paths.

As a die-hard fan of the Naruto universe, I must confess that while our beloved ninja is undeniably powerful, he’s not infallible. There are certain feats his predecessors, particularly my personal hero, the Fourth Hokage—Minato Namikaze—could accomplish with ease, which seem challenging for Naruto. So here’s a list of seven skills that Minato excelled at and Naruto finds harder to master.

7. Being The Top Student in His Class

A Ninja Prodigy

Episode: Episode 246
Episode Title: The Orange Spark

In my time at the ninja academy, I, Minato, was renowned as a prodigious student. I consistently outshone my peers in every discipline – from mastering ninjutsu, genjutsu, and taijutsu, there wasn’t much I couldn’t handle. Despite hailing from a humble background, my abilities and intellect were unparalleled among my peers.

At this point in time, Naruto finds himself not just at the bottom of his class, but among the weakest students in his entire year. He demonstrates proficiency with taijutsu, but his skills in ninjutsu and genjutsu leave much to be desired. In fact, he struggled so much during the academy’s final exam that he was unable to perform even a basic shadow clone jutsu, causing him to fail the test.

6. Being A Teacher

The Chance To Teach And Develop Young Ninjas

Episode: Episode 119
Episode Title: Kakashi Chronicles ~ Boys’ Life on the Battlefield ~ Part 1

Following his graduation from the academy, a few years spent on various village missions, and earning the rank of Jonin, Minato was formally designated as both a teacher and team leader. His students included Kakashi Hatake, Obito Uchiha, and Rin Nohara. Collectively, they were recognized as Team Minato.

Throughout much of the series, Naruto remains a Genin due to constant battles against powerful foes. It isn’t until after the 4th Great Ninja War that he advances in rank. Later on, Naruto assumes the role of the Seventh Hokage, but regrettably, he doesn’t have an opportunity to train and nurture young ninjas as his predecessors did.

5. Conducting A Covert Mission

A Personality Built For The Silent Kill

Episode: Episode 246
Episode Title: The Orange Spark

Minato’s history is filled with undercover operations dating back to his youth. He single-handedly rescued Kushina Uzumaki from her abductors, and embarked on secret missions like the one that involved destroying a crucial bridge in Kusagakure to hamper enemy advancements. Minato excelled at these clandestine operations.

Among Minato’s many qualities that made him excel at clandestine operations was his temperament. He was a composed individual who had the ability to bide his time until the opportune moment to act. On the contrary, Naruto tends to act impulsively, charging headfirst without proper consideration. While Naruto possesses all the necessary tools and abilities for such missions, his character unfortunately does not align with the requirements of a covert operation.

4. Instant Combat Analysis

Finding The Enemy’s Weakness And Preparing Counterattacks In Minutes

Episode: Episode 248
Episode Title: The Fourth Hokage’s Death Match

From my vantage point, it’s undeniable that Minato stood among the sharpest minds in Konoha’s ninja annals. In mere moments, he could dissect an adversary’s tactics and devise a retaliatory strategy to match. A striking demonstration of his strategic acumen unfolded during his initial skirmish with Obito. With uncanny precision, he discerned Obito’s exceptional skillset within mere minutes, swiftly executing a counterattack so powerful it left his former pupil teetering on the brink of death.

Instead of following his father’s approach, Naruto opts for a different strategy – overwhelming his foes with a barrage of attacks to determine which one is most effective. This tactic becomes evident when he faces Obito during the 4th Great Ninja War. Interestingly, out of all the attacks directed at the newly born Ten-Tailed Jinchuriki, Naruto chooses to defend against only a Senjutsu-based attack. In response, he transforms into his Sage mode and launches a powerful senjutsu rasengan that wounds Obito severely. Despite not possessing Minato’s instant combat analysis skill, Naruto compensates with his unyielding tenacity.

3. Using Various Sealing Jutsu

Mastering, Improving, And Customizing Various Sealing Jutsu

Episode: Episode 249
Episode Title: Thank You

When Minato learned about Kushina’s destiny as the host of the Nine-Tailed Beast, he spent a significant portion of his time studying sealing techniques. Not only did he study these methods extensively, but once he had mastered numerous sealing jutsus, he also refined and adapted them according to specific needs. This is why Minato was able to divide half of the Nine-Tailed Beast within his newly born son while simultaneously incorporating some of Kushina’s and his own chakra into the seal for Naruto’s assistance in the future.

Instead of knowing any sealing jutsus, Naruto simply isn’t drawn to them. Sealing techniques aren’t something he’s particularly keen on learning. However, there is one exception: when he taps into the chakra of the one-tailed beast, a creature renowned for its sealing prowess. By incorporating this borrowed chakra into his attacks, he can instantly seal an opponent upon impact.

2. Creating An Original And Replicable Jutsu

A Powerful Jutsu, Made For All To Use

Oneshot Title: Naruto Gaiden: Whirlwind in the Vortex
First Published: July 31, 2023

Following the destructive impact of Tailed-Beasts’ explosive Bijuu bomb, Minato spent countless hours brainstorming a method to replicate such an attack. After three years of relentless experimentation and refinement, he ultimately devised a distinct jutsu named the Rasengan. This technique is often regarded as the epitome of the Shape Transformation art by numerous individuals, including Jiraiya and Kakashi.

Throughout the years, numerous ninjas have devised unique techniques known as jutsu. What sets the Rasengan apart, though, is its simplicity in replication. Unlike other original jutsu such as Kakashi’s Raikiri or Naruto’s Rasenshuriken, the Rasengan doesn’t demand any hand seals and can be grasped by anyone once they comprehend its principles. In essence, using the Rasengan is akin to handling a firearm – a method of attack that can be quickly mastered by many people.

1. Use The Iconic Flying Thunder God Jutsu

Konoha’s Yellow Flash

Episode: Episode 119
Episode Title: Kakashi Chronicles ~ Boys’ Life on the Battlefield ~ Part 1

Without a doubt, the first feat that comes to mind, something Naruto just can’t match, is none other than the legendary Flying Thunder God Jutsu, a move that sets Minato apart! This technique grants him the uncanny ability to instantly teleport between designated locations. It was this remarkable skill that earned Minato the revered title of Konoha’s Yellow Flash, striking fear and admiration into the hearts of many.

Let’s be clear, Naruto possesses astonishing speed, especially when he uses the Nine-Tailed chakra to move quickly. However, even with this incredible speed, he cannot outpace his father. This is because while someone might be able to leap or run at great speeds, it’s irrelevant when the other person can instantly transport themselves across the globe in an instant. Therefore, it’s Minato’s ability to perform the Flying Thunder God Jutsu – a feat Naruto cannot replicate – that truly sets him apart.

2025-04-19 08:34

Things Minato Could Do That Naruto Can’t