See I completely disagree. there is plenty of evidence to support that while Jinchuriki are extremely powerful (especially when they learn to control and work with their tailed beast) there are still other methods and jutsu that can rival it. Orochimaru is a perfect example, even in a weakened state with a weak body. And in addition to the superb jutsu of the Uchiha, and the cursemark, Sasuke learned much of Orochimaru's jutsu, and kept growing in power.
Jutsu are techniques. They do not, in and of themselves, possess power (though certain ones require a minimum amount of power to work).
Within the context of the story - yes, there are ways to -increase the available chakra-. But that chakra, logically, must come from somewhere. Jinchuriki get the tailed beast as an explanation. The curse mark and sage mode draw upon nature energy. Allegedly - edo tensei draws from nature chakra, as well. The special Yin Seal that Tsunade and Sakura use are examples of another means of side-stepping classical limitations.
The Uchiha and Sharingan violate all of these. They get bijuu-rivaling chakra simply out of principle. The Senju could, arguably, fall into the same category. The source of their power is *poof* - magical hand of the author.
I would say that an Edo Tensei borderlines on this insanity, as well. If the edo tag were to be said to be drawing in ambient chakra (nature and that of ninjutsu) - it could pose a complication for certain techniques and if many edo are operating in close proximity to each other (particularly chakra-heavy edos). An edo could theoretically deplete much of the chakra available in the immediate area (the same could be said about Sage Mode and Curse Marks).
I would say that Nagato falls under this same category. Though we can give him a bit of a pass because he's an Uzumaki with the Rinnegan... it's into the realm of being ridiculous for an otherwise unaugmented human being to be able to call upon that much power.
Kakashi, in that regard, has been a relatively honest character. While his capabilities have improved - they are still in line with what could be expected of an unaugmented human broaching on Kage level.
It undermines the whole message of the series - which has been the notion that true power comes from bonds with others than from one's own self. While the main characters should always be important - it should never feel ridiculous that the side characters are able to come to the aid of the main characters. You shouldn't feel like you're reading a plot, but that you're peering into another universe and watching it unfold.
generally perceived as evil. not evil of course. Though I do think The sage's brother will be "EVIL". I'm expecting him to be named shortly and have my own theory on who he is.
It's hard to say at this point. The Sage's brother could be a jog in a direction that has been only vaguely referenced but tied in with the mythology... or it could be something logically obvious.
It's possible that the Sage's brother was evil. It could also be possible that the Sage's brother was not evil at all. Hell - he could be 'The Ramen Guy' - which would be pretty friggin' hilarious.
I understand your point but respectfully disagree.
Let's look at it from just the two main characters.
Naruto is a Jinchuriki with Sage Mode and just so happens to be an Uzumaki to top it all off.
Sasuke is an Uchiha who once had a curse mark and studied under Orochimaru.
Under no rational plot is Sasuke going to be able to go toe-to-toe with Naruto. He could use a ploy here, a strategy there, and fight by not getting hit and exploiting weaknesses - but if he tries to fight the same fight as Naruto - he gets smashed.
Unless you go to unreasonable lengths to say that Sasuke, by virtue of being an Uchiha ... and... well Sasuke - is capable of standing toe to toe with "beast sage mode" .... it doesn't work within the mechanics of the series.
Animes are horribly guilty of doing this type of thing. When it doubt, add some kind of transformation or introduce unobtanium and suddenly a character goes from certain defeat to a certain victory as an absolute bad-ass. Bleach is especially guilty of that. It would make sense if 'harmonizing' with one's soul (zanpakuto) lead to being able to access more power and more techniques relatively suddenly (like an epiphany) - but going from near-death and exhausted and struggling to breathe to "Yep... gonna cut you in half, now. Oh... you can swing a sword, too. Cute. *boom*" is just silly.
And that is largely what Kishimoto is doing with Naruto, here.
Even when he tries to make use of more interesting plot ploys - like Naruto sharing Kurama's power with his friends... it goes horribly unutilized in the plot. Kishimoto made an 'excuse' for even the most mundane of characters with quirky little techniques to suddenly be able to become temporary demi-gods with those techniques going from gimmicky to devastating.
Then we could have had a good 'coming to Jesus' moment with a "Good Job, Naruto - we managed to do a bit more than -not die- because of your sharing of power rather than hoarding it."
It's the little stuff that Kishimoto hasn't thought out too well, and with something as dynamic as a war, I am sure he is struggling with the publishing time-frame.
