Debate 2: Sharingan/Byakugan(Continued)
Team 4ThePwn: While the ability to see chakra is useful, it still remains that the Byakugan does it better in every way. The Sharingan simply gives color to chakra, as stated by Sasuke in Chapter 360, Page 14. On the other hand, the Byakugan can see the chakra network in addition to chakra, the distinct advantage being to tell how the chakra flows.
It should be pointed out that Itachi was a master of genjutsu. You may be correct on the strength of the genjutsu, but this alone does not count for an average Sharingan user, as Itachi was considered a genius, even among his genius of the Clan. Because the Byakugan is capable of seeing other people's chakra, the Byakugan would be able to easily see their opponent focusing their chakra and thus be aware when a genjutsu is coming. It would then not be a difficult feat to deactivate the Byakugan and look away when such an action is forthcoming.
The only thing Zabuza was ignorant about was the hypnosis ability of the Sharingan. He clearly knew what the Sharingan was, as he knew who Kakashi was. His knowledge of Kakashi and his Sharingan is displayed on Chapter 13, page 3, when they first meet. The second time they meet, he uses an effective counter, Hidden Mist Jutsu, that leaves Kakashi's Eye Hypnosis useless. Kekkei Genkai are no secret, it is just that outsiders do not know all of the intricacies of them. What is unknown is figured out within battle.
Speaking of counters against the Sharingan, even Guy knew a counter against the Sharingan by looking away from their eyes and focusing on their feet. While this is a very specialized counter, as shown in Chapter 143, Page 15-16, the it is also stated as a form that can be used in a pinch. While it is not a common method of counter, it is a weakness that the Byakugan does not have. It also shows that speed can be used to counter even a three tomoe-user, based on the fact that Guy was specifically training against Kakashi.
Against Rock Lee, even though Sasuke was able to copy his move, stating that Sasuke would've worked out a counter for the same move next time is not logical. It was clearly stated that Sasuke could not counter taijutsu without the proper speed. Besides that, the impact of the Lotus would have assuredly ended the fight without interference. The problem is, unlike against a foe like Rock Lee or Haku, where counter can be developed over time, against the Gentle Fist, that time would only make opponent weaker, since the opponent would be taking internal damage.
Again with the subject of copying speed with Rock Lee. There is no essentially, he didn't copy it. He trained himself to be as fast, but he did not copy speed. No taijutsu "allows" the speed either. Any move can be done fast. Look at Rock Lee in his Inner Gates. Any punch or kick was under the influence of the speed. Just because he might be able to copy a punch or kick, doesn't "allow" him to be that fast. All he did was copy the glimpse of Rock Lee's move he saw before he got hit.
Diversity of jutsu wouldn't matter to someone such as a Hyuuga. Given their Heavenly Spin, they have a perfect defense against ninjutsu or ranged attacks. Like you stated, the Sharingan cannot copy Kekkei Genkai, or techniques they do not meet the requirements for. Byakugan and Gentle Fist fits those categories quite nicely.
Further, you are once more taking things out of context. You are looking at all of the best people we have seen and taking them as the average while taking the worst person we have and taking them as an average. Kakashi and Danzou are automatically disqualified as average because they are not Uchiha. Itachi is also disqualified because he was a genius. Considering everything we've seen of Sasuke since he gained the Cursed Seal, he also really can't be called average anymore. Of course, we also can't acknowledge Obito as average, because we know he was considered weak among his clan. Of course, we can't really place an average among the Hyuuga either, considering all we know are those among the best and the worst. However, we do know that Neji was able to recreate the best techniques of the Hyuuga because he was a genius and that Sasuke was more or less average before he gained the Cursed Seal, based upon how he was viewed by his peers, betters, and family. It would probably be easiest to say that at the time of the Chuunin exam, before Sasuke was bitten, both were slightly above average for their respective clans.
The Sharingan manifestation time you stated is laughable. You should probably do some research next time. You say Itachi manifested his Sharingan before he was a ninja at 8? How about the fact that he graduated from the academy at 7 and became a Chuunin at 10? As previously stated, Itachi was hardly the average Uchiha, so it is foolish to hold him up to normal standards. You also talk about how Sasuke's Sharingan manifested at 7, but you fail to mention that it quickly goes away and doesn't reappear until 12. Of course, the only reason it originally manifested was due to heightened emotional duress. It is made pretty clear that the Sharingan requires going through a very tough ordeal in order to manifest. It's interesting that you mention Obito's manifestation at 13 as a late bloomer, considering Sasuke's true manifestation age. What is more likely is not that the age was late, but rather, the time he spent as a ninja. He graduated at 9, yet didn't manifest for 4 years, compared to Sasuke and Itachi, who both manifested within a year of graduation. Under that assumption, which is not necessarily a fact, but can be extrapolated from the evidence that we do have, it would still seem that the Hyuuga have much longer to get used to their doujutsu than the Uchiha.
The Sharingan is strong against a team of enemies? First of all, it's stated that Sharingan is less effective with more people to fight, so to say that Sharingan can beat a team of people is to go against facts. The Byakugan has no problems when fighting a team of people, due to the near-360 degree vision.
And just how does the Sharingan analyze equipment? The Byakugan is the only one with X-ray vision here. Better in scouting? The Sharingan can only see what's in front of them. You seem to be getting the Sharingan and Byakugan mixed up. Why copy pencil strokes when the Byakugan can just easily look at the paper? Also, the Sharingan needs to see what it's going to copy before the user can copy. The Byakugan can safely examine from a distance, even outside a building, and take note of everything. Even for spy missions, the Byakugan is superior. Hyuuga don't even have to worry if anyone is sneaking up behind them while they're intently spying.
We think you'll find that the battle uses and practical uses of Byakugan far outweigh the Sharingan in most scenarios.