Master Jiraiya was one of the Legendary Sannin and perhaps the most intelligent mentor of the Naruto universe. His tutelage of the title protagonist was a strong recurrent theme in the original series as he prepared him to thwart the horrors the Akatsuki had yet to unleash.
An incredibly powerful shinobi and one of Konoha's most elite warriors, Jiraiya's skills have ensured his student's survival as he has blossomed into the hero that Konoha needed. However, he is far from the strongest character in the anime. By matching him against opponents of lesser and greater skill, a better understanding can be gained of his limitations.
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Characters Jiraiya Could Defeat |
Characters Jiraiya Would Lose To |
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Kurenai |
Obito |
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Konan |
Orochimaru |
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Asuma |
Fourth Raikage |
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Danzo |
Kabuto |
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Tsunade |
Naruto |
Characters Jiraiya Could Defeat
Kurenai's Genjutsu Has Nothing On Jiraiya
Kurenai was one of the Leaf's most prominent genjutsu experts. She was able to entrap most of her enemies within her impressive genjutsu spells, mentally assailing them until they could be properly subdued.
However, considering that Jiraiya has survived encounters against Itachi — who in turn humiliated Kurenai with his own genjutsu — it follows that the Sannin's natural resilience against her illusions would prove his salvation. Considering how pitiable she is outside of her specialized field, Jiraiya would have little difficulty defeating her once her power had been broken.
Konan Proved Not To Be A Challenge For Jiraiya
Jiraiya had briefly fought against Konan during his confrontation with Pain. Their skirmish made his natural advantages in jutsu over her abundantly evident, as his tar can stick to the explosive tags which comprise her body together. Consequently, she is unable to disperse or effectively fly, leaving her vulnerable to whatever other abilities the Sannin might choose to employ against her.
Konan's only reprieve would be to detonate recklessly at the beginning of the fight, but the durability Jiraiya demonstrated in his battle against Nagato evinces that he would survive such tactics and overcome her shortly thereafter. Without the Akatsuki leader's assistance, Konan would not provide a considerable challenge against him.
Asuma Can't Do Much If Jiraiya Summons Gamabunta
Asuma was both a seasoned ninja and Shikamaru's beloved mentor. He possessed a deceptively strategic mind that helped form Shikamaru's own skill with strategy. Asuma's arsenal included chakra-infused blades and the fire release style of the Sarutobi clan.
However, should Jiraiya cover him in tar, he would turn his flames against Asuma and ignite him with his own ability. Further, summoning Gamabunta would completely negate any threat that Asuma might pose in close quarters. As a result, he has no means by which to realistically harm the Sage and would lose their battle decisively.
Danzo Has Limited Options Against Jiraiya
Danzo Shimura's Izanagi arm would provide him with multiple opportunities to defeat Jiraiya. However, his toolkit in doing so is extremely limited, possessing only wind projectiles, a single summoning jutsu that's inferior to Gamabunta, and a short blade to complement his paralysis runes.
Despite being Hokage, Danzo cannot summon multiple toads at once like Jiraiya can and has a palpable weakness to genjutsu, as proven through his battle against Sasuke. Danzo's opponent would be able to exploit his deficiencies, outsmarting him and rapidly depleting his many Sharingan.
Tsunade's Physical Strength Isn't Enough For Jiraiya's Hair Spikes
Tsunade's raw physical strength is formidable enough to stagger (or arguably even defeat) Gamabunta with only a few punches. Considering that it could crack the Susanoo, Jiraiya would be forced to keep a distance for his own safety.
Unfortunately for her, she has displayed no profound resilience against genjutsu, and her physical strength would only leave her hands punctured against his hair spikes. While her hundred healings would be able to mend the wound, it nonetheless would provide her old friend an opportunity to reduce the brunt of her impact.
Characters Jiraiya Would Lose To
Obito's Ability To Phase Through Anything Would Be Too Difficult For Jiraiya To Handle
Obito was able to phase through anything, possessing reflexes to obviate Minato. This is profoundly impressive considering that the Fourth Hokage was considered by many to be the fastest ninja to have ever lived.
As a result, Jiraiya would be unable to meaningfully damage Obito since he could not navigate through the pervasive effects of his Kamui. Not even the Sannin's iron hair barrier would defend him, as the fallen Uchiha could simply permeate through it in order to deliver a devastating blow.
Orochimaru Has More Tricks Up His Sleeve
Orochimaru and Jiraiya may have shared the same mentor, but the snake shinobi has excelled far more than his lecherous peer. This was illustrated through their canon battle, where the Sage was only able to overcome his rival on account of Tsunade's assistance and the scientist's pre-existing injury from his fight against Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Under equal circumstances and without interference, Orochimaru's arsenal is far deadlier than Jiraiya's. He can summon hundreds of snakes by which to constrict his foe, each of them possessing venoms to paralyze his entire body.
The Fourth Raikage Is Both Incredibly Speedy & Strong
Otherwise known as the Fourth Raikage, A was one of the few characters to balance speed and strength for a deadly combination. He was fast enough to disorient Sasuke in spite of his Sharingan and strong enough nearly to overpower Tsunade.
Though Jiraiya's reflexes may be superior to most, he is unable to react with only a split second to anticipate his opponents, as proven in his battle against Pain, where he realized his foe was still alive for a fraction of a second before losing his arm. Consequently, the Fourth Raikage would be able to overwhelm him, refusing to allow him into Sage Mode on account of his staggering velocity.
Kabuto Can Withstand Anything Jiraiya Throws At Him
Kabuto was the immensely powerful student of Orochimaru and a man whose strength eclipsed his former mentor, much like Naruto did with Jiraiya. Having spliced the abilities of the Sound Four into his own body and mastered the regeneration of the Uzumaki clan, Kabuto was virtually unbeatable, even with the combined efforts of Sasuke and Itachi.
Sasuke and Itachi only managed to defeat Kabuto on account of the Izanami, a genjutsu much more powerful than the Toad Confrontation Chant Jiraiya employed against Pain. In the instance of the latter, Kabuto would be able to release himself from it, negating the only viable weapon the Sannin could use against him.
Naruto Surpassed His Beloved Mentor
After Jiraiya's death, Naruto excelled beyond his wildest dreams. He mastered the same summoning that his former mentor had, entailing that neither of them would be able to use the toads in a direct fight, and has assumed the full power of Kurama.
Coming to terms with his jinchuriki would render him immune to whatever genjutsu Jiraiya could hope to confront him with. Moreover, since Naruto can harness sage chakra better than his master, prolonging the fight would only serve to his advantage.