People, I have nothing against you, or anything. I'm just stating my opinion and was moving on from this. But...
@James. I don't know why you are saying that I compared Eight gates Lee with Sasuke. I've just commented that Neji is weaker than Eight gates Lee, and that's a fact. It's the reason he saved it for Neji.
And no, you're saying that, just because Lee stated that Neji's the strongest Genin means that Neji's stronger than Lee with gates. But wouldn't that utterly contradict your point with Lee stating a few chapters after that, that Sasuke's way better than him, to the point of admitting jeolesy to him, as well as knowing very well that Naruto defeated Neji. So again, let's not go with, shall we?
Sasuke wasn't just a genin Uchiha, he was a genin Uchiha and a Transmigrant. And he did fight Gaara, who already had a wide influence of Shukaku's power. Unlike Naruto, who needed to leak out the chakra of the tail beast to get that influence. So no, Gaara was already in his Jinchuriki, yet base form in his fight against Sasuke, and he got wrecked by him. Period.
^Plus, Neji handled Naruto with his amped Kurama influence, so no, genins can handle Jinchurikis. It's just that they have to be strong enough for it. And the only ones in part 1, for it were Sasuke, Lee and Neji.
Yes, Kakashi stated that he taught Sasuke to move fast and alike as Lee, so he learn to petform Chidori. But that's the basis of it, if you actually read the manga, then you will also see that it's explained as a jutsu that brings out the maximum speed of the user. As in, a quick jab, and for the case of Sasuke, that should be fast enough to dodge the sand Gaara has, or else with his prior speed, he wouldn't get through Gaara.
And I see you just avoided the fact that I showed, Sasuke using Chidori while holding Naruto in his hand, during the Part 1 Naruto vs Sasuke battle. And Sasuke using Chidori against Sakura, just after Sasuke vs Danzo and before Kakashi vs Sasuke. So no, there is no pre needed speed to use the Chidori, it's just effective only when the user has speed that's fast enough to dodge almost anything, eg; Sasuke, and Lee or else, it's just of no use.
Dude, why do even need to make things up? Yes, Haku ran infront of Kakashi while he used his Chidori. Haku could very well use body flicker, which every Shinobi uses. If him reaching Kakashi was a big feat of speed then Kakashi would have stated it. As well, as I've pointed out, Rin also did the same freaking thing, so by your own logic, that the Chidori needs Lee's speed to perform, that means, Rin was as fast as Lee or even faster by your logic? I suppose, you by now, understand the flaw in this, right? I hope so.
Haku still admitted of Sasuke's speed, and went on to do the only thing he could against him, using Naruto as a bait to get him immobile. Now was that hard?
You literally gave out your own made up facts, with referrences that aren't even correct, and is claiming me to use made up facts? Wow, just wow.
@Namikaze. I'm pretty sure it was an anime filler. If it isn't, then do provide the chapter.
Yes, it's very funny I used Gai and Night Guy as an example, almost as funny as you all using The Gates Lee used. Look, Gai is a character of this anime and Night Guy is of this anime, the only thing I've asked about it, is if you all think, that Neji can counter it back with Rotation, if he had it it active, and Night Guy being used just after he got it active(and completely spins, for some people), can it be countered back? I hope you know the right answer. It can't. Cause even the Rotation has it's limits. Everything has it's limit. Obviously a jutsu can only be as strong as it's user, even for the case of Rotation. With a strong enough force, even it can get through.
I'm pretty sure that Neji blocked everything with his own body. His bkind spot lies in his back and it all came straight at him, so I don't think there was any blindspot mentioned.
I would give Sasuke chance of close combat 25% if anything, since he has Lee's speed, and the Sharingan, which whole purpose lies for predicting fast movement's like Neji's.
Even then, I can see you're either forgetting or purposely avoiding the fact that Sasume has a brain. He or anyone else in the whole series wouldn't just jump over to Neji for close combat(except pre chunnin Naruto, but that was his Character). Sasuke is also a genius in battles. He knows how to do a battle, if it is not good in close combat, then he won't just jump in for it. He'll use other tactics.
Wow, Sasuke's chance at winning at mid range is 15%? You do realize that as long as Neji doesn't step in for the offensive, no one's gonna win. Or atleast the one who has mid range techniques will win. Sasuke as long as Neji decides on staying for the defensive, can attack Neji with his set of Shurikens, fuma Shurikens, tag explosives and fire releases. Which will exhaust Neji more than Sasuke, who has to use his Byakugan to defend. So as long as Neji stands for the defensive, he'll have to keep on using his Byakugan and Rotation.
And the golden chance for Sasuke lies when Neji get's tired of defence and rushes in for offense. That is, for Neji's case, to use his gentle fist at Sasuke, and for that, Neji needs to run to him, and Obviously Neji can't spin for rotation while running and Sasuke won't waste that chance ever. And any fire release jutsu or Chidori, can be fatal for him at that point. Sasuke's the type of person, who waits for his opponent to be at his most vulnerable/weakest point to make an effective attack.
And no, Part 1, Sasuke vs Naruto at VOTE, you can clearly see Sasuke using Chidori while standing, with Naruto in his hand and when he was about to use it against Sakura, so no, as I've explained above, Chidori doesn't need a running speed, it's just best when used while running, so to avoid any fast counter attacks like Gaara's sand.
So, for Neji to get a win, he needs Sasuke to be an idiot and attack him in close combat, or else, Neji will eventually be defeated by exhaustion or be beaten when he is close to exhaustion, yes, for a safer win, Sasuke needs to exhaust him, cause Neji's strong. There's no doubt about that.
@Kaiser Emperor. Itachi Shinden is more of an anime filler of a novel adaption, it's not as canon as the Manga. Plus, it makes the Rotation and Byakugan user look like it has the same level of advantage a absorbtion jutsu Pain has. Like can it split apart a Giant Rasengan or block against it with Rotation?
Plus, by the way, you said it, I can only remember the trick Sasuke used against Zaku or someone in the forest of The Dead. Where he used a Shuriken hidden under a fire release jutsu, thus making them think it was just a fireball jutsu, only to be a Shuriken inside, can it not be used in this situation, you've said?
@Rachin. If you mean by me misinterpreting facts, as in, not joining on about your opinion, then you have no reason to continue. I'm not misinterpreting any fact, can you point out any fact I might misinterpreted? Would that be Gates Lee being weaker than Neji? Then that's not me misinterpreting anything, that's you misinterpreting and along with overestimating Neji.
I'm not undermining anyone, Neji is powerful, but the way you guys make it out, he seems to be invincible. I've already said that it'll be pointless for Sasuke to go against Neji in close combat. He can just stand in a distance and throw all he has at him. Neji doesn't have any mid range jutsus or anything mid range, he'll have to come at Sasuke to finish the battle, which will give Sasuke the chance he needs.
And by now this just got boring. Anyways, even if I say that I don't agree with any of your points, it's still decent points, and I'll respect it, even if you all don't consider mine anything. So peace with you all.