DB states Asuma is Jonin's best CQC fighter, which includes Kakashi. Add the fact that they have pretty even combat stats, while Asuma has element advantage for Close Quarters. Any logical or reasonable person can come to the conclusion that in no way in hell does Kakashi beat this guy easy.
DB states Asuma is the best CQC fighter out of the Jonin yet Base (let alone Gated) Gai has superior feats against superior individuals. Yet Kakashi has superior feats against the same Hidan that Asuma fought. Asuma got scratched within 10 seconds of their fight beginning, however Kakashi clashed with Hidan multiple times and never got a scratch.
DB only stated that he had the "foremost skill" in close range combat. Not that he's the best CQC fighter. Base Gai and Kakashi have done better than him against the same or better opponents.
You have to take into account Kakashi had intel not to get scratched. He was actively avoiding Hidan.
Then you also have to take into account Hidan was handicapped because his cord was broken, that's his primary way of fighting.
Though the reason it balances out is because Asuma had Shikamaru fighting with him.
@OP
It'll be a mid diff fight. No more than that.
I actually didn't know this, but I agree that Shikamaru's help evens things out.
DB only stated that he had the "foremost skill" in close range combat. Not that he's the best CQC fighter. Base Gai and Kakashi have done better than him against the same or better opponents.
I actually didn't know this, but I agree that Shikamaru's help evens things out.
Though the reason it balances out is because Asuma had Shikamaru fighting with him.
On the other hand though, Shikamaru attacking simultaneously is too much help to not be able to take advantage of. You can't just randomly ignore such a big point. I don't see Kakashi falling so easily in that situation, though he will get scratched sooner or later without intel, but that was done extremely fast. That fight ended before it even started even while Hidan was dodging shadows.
Kakashi barely got hit by an Atsugai assault with Hidan right there. His sharingan provides him a massive advantage.
IIRC Asuma was said to be the best in CQC with a weapon, in others words in CQC he is the most proficient in Konoha with a weapon. Give Kakashi a weapon, give Asuma the same weapon and Asuma will be better at using it more times than not, that's what that means to me.
Overall yes I agree Kakashi isn't low diffing or anything as long as Asuma is within range his hien is dangerous, and he's already shown in part 1 he can get the better of even Kisame in CQC.
Anything more than mid diff however is a no. Kakashi has too much in his arsenal, Asuma is much too linear in comparison.