In the Naruto verse, every Shinobi flaunts different fighting styles and ninjutsu techniques that can change the tide of a battle in an instant. From Hashirama Senju to Might Guy, everyone would include different styles and become one of the many pillars of the Konohagakure.
Despite most of them relying on genjutsu or ninjutsu, speed remains one of the most essential elements that they can use to their advantage. Now, when it comes to speed, the first name that pops up in our minds is the Fourth Hokage of the Hidden Leaf Village, Minato Namikaze.
The legends of the Yellow Flash of the Leaf are countless, including the one where he defeated Obito Uchiha disguised as Madara Uchiha. However, there’s a fallacy in the series, which undermines how fast Minato really was in the first place.
Naruto misconception discredits Minato Namikaze’s blistering speed
In Masashi Kishimoto’s magnum opus, some characters have received a little extra love from the mangaka, as they have received the Kekkei Genkai, a genetically exclusive ability that other Shinobis can’t use. These ninjas are a menace on the battlefield and are always highlighted as major threats by their foes.
One such name was Haku, who was introduced early on in the series. His exclusive ability, the Demonic Ice Mirrors, was a problematic technique that could prove to be fatal to some Shinobis. This was evident when Kakashi Hatake warned Naruto and Sasuke about his Kekkei Genkai and gave a description about his ability.
This warning has made some ardent fans develop a delusion, where they think that the young Shinobi was moving at the speed of light. Though his speed was on par or even surpassed a Jonin-level ninja-like Kakashi, he was nowhere close to being called the fastest shinobi.
The official description of the ninjutsu states that Haku can create several large mirrors made out of ice and surround his target. By entering one of these mirrors, his reflection will appear in all of them, making him look like he moves near-instantaneously. However, those are just his afterimages; making his foes feel overwhelmed and attacking them with rapid volleys of Senbons puts the final nail in the coffin.
A major piece of evidence that denounces this belief is that Sasuke was able to track him with his underdeveloped Sharingan, giving enough to our young hero to land a direct hit on his first real foe. To further reinforce the notion, Naruto in his initial jinchuriki form dodged Haku as well.
If he were really moving like how some fans believed him to be, then both had zero chance of reacting or even coming up with a plan to stop him in his path. Though it can be stated that Haku’s speed proved to be a substantial threat, he is nowhere close to being compared to Minato’s pace.
Minato Namikaze: The shinobi in a league of his own
Even though the 4th Hokage has not been shown much in action in Shippuden, he is considered to be one of the generational talents that died saving the village of the Hidden Leaf. Unlike other characters featured in the series, Minato showcased natural speed and abilities that make him the last thing that his enemies see before he lands a killing blow on them.
Thus, giving him the nickname The Yellow Flash of the Leaf. One of the key reasons to achieve becoming the fastest Shinobi to ever live was the Flying Thunder God Technique. This jutsu was invented by Tobirama Senju, who developed this jutsu further and surpassed the abilities of the Mangekyo Sharingan.
Minato not only made this technique his signature move but developed it even further, allowing him to teleport further than its creator. A greater reaction time assisted him in moving faster. Tobirama praised his successor during the Fourth Great Ninja War when Minato arrived at the battlefield before the other reanimated Hokages.
It is believed that his base form is faster than both Naruto and Tobirama, and the latter two can surpass him only if they are using a special technique. This notion was true because Naruto managed to keep up with his dad in the war when he used his Kurama Chakra Mode, and upon receiving the power of the Sage of the Six Paths, he dodged attacks while moving at the speed of light.
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