If Uchiha Itachi were to battle Uzumaki Naruto, Uchiha Itachi would not be defeated.

----- I believe we have resolved the negotiation Korashk mentioned. If he is unclear as to the resolution, I ask that he PM me so that we can clear things up. ----- I affirm the resolution "If Uchiha Itachi were to battle Uzumaki Naruto, Uchiha Itachi would not be defeated". I would like to begin my arguments. ARG1: My first argument is that Itachi's greater intelligence would allow him to outsmart Naruto, defeating him with superior strategy, knowledge, and intuition. According to the Third Databook, Uchiha Itachi's Intelligence has a rating of 5 [6], the same level as Shikamaru Nara [7]. However, Itachi's intelligence may, in fact, be "off the charts", as another shinobi, Hatake Kakashi, also has an intelligence rating of 5 [8] and was praised as being "smarter than Shikamaru Nara" [9]. Itachi "easily defeated" Kakashi [10], showing that he is more capable than Kakashi. Considering that Itachi is nine years younger than Kakashi [11] [12] and defeated Kakashi and two other Konoha Jonin while fighting without "even half his strength" [13], it can be inferred that Itachi is a more intelligent and capable shinobi. Thus, Itachi's true intelligence merits a ranking of over 5 on the "stats" scale. Naruto's intelligence, on the other hand, only has a rating of 3 [14]. Itachi's intelligence is clearly far greater than Naruto's, being greater than two shinobi (Shikamaru and Kakashi) who have intelligence ratings nearly double Naruto's. While Naruto often uses strategies involving deception and misdirection [15], Itachi himself has displayed great proficiency with misdirection, using it in combination with his great speed to fool shinobi as capable as Kakashi [16]. The fact that Itachi himself uses misdirection in combat means he would be far less likely to fall for Naruto's attempts at it. In conclusion, Itachi's superior intelligence would allow him to outsmart Naruto. --------- ARG2: Itachi's superior speed would allow him to defeat Naruto. Despite the fact that the 3rd Databook was written at a time in the series when Itachi was suffering a terminal disease and had diminished abilities [17] [18], his speed still merited a 5/5 ranking [6]. Naruto, on the other hand, only has a speed ranking of 3.5 [14]. When fighting with less than half of his power, Itachi still easily outsped Kakashi [16], who has a speed rating of 4-4.5 [8]. I apologize for being unable to determine which; I was unable to locate information on the publication dates of the 1st and 2nd Databooks, which would allow me to determine this. If Kakashi's speed of 4-4.5 was so easily outclassed by an Itachi fighting with less than half power, it can be inferred that Itachi's true speed ranking would be very high. This conclusion can be reached through the following process: K = Kakashi's Speed; I = Itachi's speed K = 4 or 4.5 I/2 > K I/2 > 4.5 (Though we cannot determine whether Kakashi's speed at the time of their battle was 4 or 4.5, the difference in their speed was great enough that this can be inferred. ) I > 9 Thus, Itachi's true speed level was over double Naruto's. Even though Naruto's speed is increased by Sage Mode [19], Naruto has been in Sage mode long enough for him to defeat the Kyuubi, remove its chakra, and hear at least part of Kushina's story [20]. This means that Naruto's Sage Mode will not last for much longer. Itachi can use his Sharingan's predictive abilities [21] in combination with his speed to evade Naruto's Sage attacks for the duration of the Mode. Once the Mode expires, Naruto would most likely attempt to dispel his Senjutsu clone so as to re-enter Sage Mode. However, to do so, he would have to either summon the clone or summon Fukasaku or Shima to dispel it for him [22]. To do either of these would require Naruto to remain still for at least a moment, allowing Itachi to hit him with Pupil Technique: Destiny Threat [23]. The extreme pain and damage the technique causes would allow Itachi to close the distance between him and Naruto enough to seal Naruto with the Totsuka Sword [24] or render him comatose with Tsukuyomi [25]. Tricking Naruto into making eye contact would be easy enough at this time; Itachi could place Naruto under a motion-induced Genjutsu akin to Ephemeral [26] and use the illusion to trick Naruto into making eye contact, potentially by disguising himself as an ally or friend. In conclusion, Itachi's superior speed would allow him to avoid Naruto's attacks and kill him. --------- ARG3: Itachi's abilities prevent Naruto's summoned beasts from being a threat. First of all, through use of Destiny Threat [23], Itachi could kill Naruto the moment he attempts to summon any toads, as use of Kuchiyose requires a stationary position [22]. If Naruto attempts to make clones to summon for him, Itachi would still likely be able to hit him with the jutsu, as Naruto is often shown standing still when using Kage Bunshin [27][28] (More evidence for this claim can be provided). Even if Naruto attempts to use the jutsu while moving and manages to avoid being hit by Destiny Threat, Itachi could subdue the summons with the Sharingan. Itachi's younger brother, Sasuke, hypnotized the great snake Manda with ease despite the fact that he had suffered severe injuries and expended virtually all of his chakra [29]. Itachi has far more experience than Sasuke with the Sharingan, having mastered it 13 years ago [30]. Thus, it can be inferred that Itachi's skill with the Sharingan is greater. At this point in the fight, Itachi would have more than enough energy left to use Genjutsu to either incapacitate the Toads or turn them against each other and Naruto. In conclusion, Itachi's abilities prevent Naruto's summoned beasts from being a threat. --------- To summarize my arguments: 1. Itachi's superior intelligence would allow him to outsmart Naruto. 2. Itachi's superior speed would allow him to avoid Naruto's attacks and kill him. 3. Itachi's abilities prevent Naruto's summoned beasts from being a threat. --------- I would like to thank Korashk for the debate and the viewers for their time. --------- SOURCES: For the viewers' convenience, I have linked to specific sections of the articles. [6] . http://naruto.wikia.com... [7] . http://naruto.wikia.com... [8] . http://naruto.wikia.com... [9] . http://naruto.wikia.com... [10] . http://naruto.wikia.com... (The only time Itachi has been shown defeating a powerful group of shinobi in the series was against Kakashi, Kurenai, and Asuma; as a result, it can be inferred that the statement about a "group" relates to that battle) [11] . http://naruto.wikia.com... [12] . http://naruto.wikia.com... [13] . http://naruto.wikia.com... [14] . http://naruto.wikia.com... [15] . http://naruto.wikia.com... [16] . http://www.onemanga.com... Pgs. 9-10 [17] . http://naruto.wikia.com... [18] . http://www.onemanga.com... It can be inferred that, since the 3rd Databook was published mere weeks after the time when Itachi was terminally ill, Itachi's abilities when the book was written were impaired. [19] . http://naruto.wikia.com... [20] . http://www.onemanga.com... [21] . http://naruto.wikia.com... [22] . http://www.onemanga.com... Pgs. 6-8 [23] . http://naruto.wikia.com... [24] . http://naruto.wikia.com... [25] . http://naruto.wikia.com... [26] . http://naruto.wikia.com... [27] . http://www.onemanga.com... [28] . http://www.onemanga.com... [29] . http://naruto.wikia.com... [30] . http://naruto.wikia.com...