Background
Shanks
Listen up...you can pour drinks on me, you can throw food at me...you can even spit on me. I'll just laugh that stuff off. But...good reason or not...nobody hurts a friend of mine.
In the world of One Piece, pirates sail across a planet largely covered by seas, searching for wealth, fame, and power. Aiming to do what they want when they want, an opressive World Government is the opposite side-of-the coin. But perhaps freedom could ring without selfish domination; all it would need is a warrior of liberation to shatter fate, and the origin of Shanks certainly did just that.
Born on the now-sunk island God Valley 38 years ago, Figarland Shanks and his twin brother Shamrock were sons of Figarland Garling, Supreme Commander of the Knights of God. Thus, they had the blood of World Nobles, granting legal dominion over all non-royalty. The infants were set for a life of luxury in the Holy Land, Mary Geoise...but not their mother. Stabbing her and murdering God Valley's king, Garling proceeded to lead a Native Hunting Competition: sports-based genocide for the island's resources.
As the other Knights of God and World Government's Marines arrived, one idealistic rookie named Monkey D. Dragon saw the dying mother. Not knowing they would be spared, she begged Dragon to take her sons off the island. Growing more disillusioned with his Government by-the-second, Dragon agreed, but was intercepted from leaving. Shamrock was lost, but Shanks unknowingly stowed away in a treasure chest, one found by the Roger Pirates. The Knights of God would attempt to retrieve him, but were soundly defeated by Shanks' new family each-time.
Becoming an apprentice pirate at the age of 9, Shanks would spend half-a-decade as a member, which gradually disbanded after their Captain, Gol D. Roger, became the Pirate King. Considered the freest man in the world, he was posed to change it for the better...before falling deathly ill. Choosing to hand himself in for execution, Shanks tearfully knew the age of pirates was over. That is, until Roger spoke his last words. Revealing he hid all his treasure in One Piece, which would surely create a new Pirate King. Though killed right after, he sparked a world-wide treasure hunt, and thus, a Golden Age of Piracy. Many were inspired, but perhaps none-such as the teenage Shanks. He'd believed Roger was never truly free after falling ill, but now saw that death simply spread his will across the world. What excuse did he have to just sit around and mourn?
Over the next 5 years, Shanks formed his crew: the Red Hair Pirates, earning the epithets "Red-Haired" and "Red Hair". Yet there was still unfinished buisness. 4 years later, he arrived alone at Mary Geoise. Shanks wanted to reclaim the heritage and family he lost as an infant. His plea was accepted, and so he was christened a Devoted Blade, Saint Figarland Shanks, though he still had to prove his worth for membership in the Knights of God. A revolt among slaves of the World Nobles gave him just the opportunity, and he came face-to-face with the culprit, Fisher Tiger.
If you think this supreme-grade bootlicking from Shanks sounds like a disgrace to everything Roger stood for...Shanks would agree, since it was all an act to try and sabotage the World Government. Shanks told Tiger where the Holy Land's armory was, helping him free even more people. Just before Shanks completed his final mission to become a Knight, he left Mary Geoise because Oda didn't know how to write that flashback.
A year later, the Red Hair Pirates attacked a ship belonging to CP9, the World Government's foremost assassins. Stealing the Rubber-Rubber Fruit on-board, they would make a brief stop at Dawn Island. A young boy named Monkey D. Luffy was starstruck by the idea of piracy, and wanted to join them. Shanks rejected the offer since Luffy was only 6-years old, but grew fond of the child and his small village. The Red Hair Pirates would stay for a year, with Luffy never relenting on his dream.
Things would change when Luffy ate the Rubber-Rubber Fruit, granting him a rubber-like body at the cost of an inability to swim. When Luffy ended-up thrown into the sea and nearly devoured by a colossal Sea King, stepped in-between. Scaring it away with a glare, Luffy was saved...at the cost of Shanks' left arm. Finally deciding to leave the isle, Shanks believed Luffy would finally take the hint and avoid piracy...but the child's ambition only grew, vowing to surpass him. Seeing himself and Roger in those words, Shanks entrusted Luffy with the straw hat Roger gave him. He told the kid to bring it back once he'd become a great pirate.
Over the next several years, Shanks would become one of the Four Emperors, the world's most influential and dangerous pirate captains. Whether he be fighting them, stopping wars, or taking-on the next generation in search of the One Piece, Shanks will always go where the wind takes him. A free spirit to be sure, yet being Pirate King isn't really his heart's desire. After all, he's already lived up to Roger's legacy in his own way: casting a will through his straw hat, whose wearer may yet liberate the world. But don't take that as Shanks letting anyone waltz in and nab the treasure. He's a pirate first and foremost, so don't hesitate in pulling the trigger against him, or you may just find yourself stained scarlet.
Minato Namikaze
Five Lands; five Hidden Villages. Though each Land is ruled by a Great Name, their true power resides in the ninjas of their Hidden Village. Most citizens undergo training to become ninja at a young age, working as mercenaries to earn money and extend their home's influence. Jockeying for power among the Hidden Villages seemed destined to create a cycle of hatred; peace was an illusion, since war would always come again. But an unusually-wise toad told of a prophecy: a boy trained by the legendary ninja "Toad Sage" Jiraiya would bring about a great revolution, the master ninja's actions determing the result. Just as the burden was heavy on his mind, so too would the Village Hidden by Leaves' safety be on the shoulders of Minato Namikaze.
At the age of 10, Minato willfully enrolled to begin his ninja training. But his aspirations were far higher than that; he wished to become the Fire Shadow, leader of the Village and its strongest ninja. But it wasn't for the status or wealth; he wished to earn the respect of his fellow villagers. Succesfully graduating as a Junior Ninja the same year he joined, Minato would recieve direct instruction from Jiraiya. Having earned the highest score on the written Journeyman Ninja exam in history and excelling just as well elsewhere after becoming a full-fledged ninja, Jiraiya began to suspect Minato was the Child of Prophecy.
During the Third Ninja World War, Minato reached the rank of Elite Ninja, leading his own trio of Junior Ninja on the battlefield: Kakashi Hatake, Obito Uchiha, and Rin Nohara. Under Minato's tutelage, Kakashi became an Elite Ninja while only 12 years-old, though Obito and Rin struggled to keep-up. Yet Minato was optimistic, especially for Obito, a spiky-haired kid with energy who dreamed of becoming Fire Shadow to earn respect much like himself. And together, they weren't in much danger at all. Known across the Lands as the Yellow Flash of the Leaf, Minato was practically a one-man army all by himself. He even had time to get married with his childhood sweetheart, Kushina Uzumaki. Unlike most in the village, Minato didn't look down on Kushina for being host of the Nine-Tailed Fox, a colossal demon who nearly destroyed the village before being sealed away.
But no matter how fast he was, the Yellow Flash couldn't be in every place at once. On two seperate ocassions, he was tasked with missions elsewhere, and only came back in-time to see Obito and Rin sent to early graves. The War ended in a mere armistice; Minato was elected The Fourth Fire Shadow for his victories in the conflict, but these failures would forever haunt both him and Kakashi.
As Kushina's child was about to be born, the couple decided to name him Naruto, after the main character of Jiraiya's first book. Just moments after Naruto's birth, a masked man took the newborn hostage, holding a kunai to his throat. But what he really wanted was Kushina, no-doubt for the Nine-Tails' power. Forced to relinquish her for Naruto's safety, the assailant even planted bombs on Naruto's back, attempting to kill both him and the Fire Shadow.
Minato diffused the bombs, but not in-time to prevent this intruder from unsealing the Nine-Tails...a proccess which would invariably kill Kushina. Forced to take on a new foe and a mind-controlled kaiju, Minato stopped both from destroying the village. Managing to make the man flee, Minato and a dying Kushina worked together in restraining the beast. The latter offered to seal it back inside herself, ending the threat permanently. Minato considered...and then remembered Jiraiya's words about the Child of Prophecy when did he hear about that?. Choosing to believe in his son and the potential a Tailed Beast's power had for good, Minato chose to seal the Nine-Tails in Naruto. Though he could only manage half without killing the infant, he accomplished this last task, but only through mortal sacrifice. In death, Minato ensured his Will of Fire would live-on, hopefully for a better future.
...Then he woke-up. A 15-year old Naruto had become a Junior Ninja, but despaired after the village's destruction and the deaths of numerous loved ones, he was about to willfully unseal the Nine-Tailed Fox. This activated the chakra Minato left in Naruto, allowing him to appear and talk with his son for the first time. Naruto's parentage was unknown by most, and kept a secret for fear of him seeking revenge on the village. Minato revealed it, told Naruto about the masked man and encouraged Naruto's spirits before his chakra ran-out. Once again, Minato's spirit left the world.
...And then he woke-up again, just a day before Naruto's 17th birthday. But not as a lingering spirit; he'd been reincarnated as an undead being, along with the previously deceased Fire Shadows before him. Hearing that the masked man has plunged the world into a Fourth Ninja World War - albeit with all Villages against him - Minato heads to the battlefield and saves his son. Managing to befriend the half of Nine-Tails inside him and learning its name - Kurama - things were finally looking up for Minato.
But then he reached public enemy number-one, the man who'd gotten him and his wife killed, someone who'd destroyed his home and plunged the world into chaos. Slashing the foe's throat before he could react, Minato stood face-to-face with...Obito!?
Indeed, all those years ago, Obito hadn't died after all (long story). The cruel ninja world, Rin's death and some top-tier instigating led Obito to reject the harsh cycle; he aimed to force everyone into illusory worlds that were their personal utopias. In a sense, Obito had indeed surpassed both Kakashi and his teacher, for only he had the courage to truly fight back against the existence that haunted them all.
As Minato reflected on his fallen student, the barely-alive and now-conflicted Obito managed to absorb the Ten-Tails, a gargantuan fusion of nearly all the Tailed Beasts. Minato effectively stood down God, but didn't waste a second fighting with everything he had. After an arduous battle where two others absorbed this power, victory was achieved. Obito even had a change-of-heart and sacrificed it all to save Naruto; Minato and Kakashi's words playing no small part. He worked with all Shadows - living, undead and fully deceased - to summon his son and others back from an alternate dimension.
A new day dawned, and the War was over. The deceased Shadows' necromancer released their spirits. Leaving in-order of death, the last was Minato. Having heard and seen Naruto take-on those who threatened his village and save a now-united world, Minato could rest easy knowing the Child of Prophecy stood in-front of him. Telling Naruto just how proud he was, Minato wished him a happy birthday and ascended to the afterlife...for real this time.
Ironically, it was Minato's greatest failures that set the stage for the changes society needed; there was more to his story than being there in a flash. The Will of Fire kept burning long-after his death, setting the stage for the story of a hero that wouldn't burn out.
Intelligence and Experience
Shanks
Being one of the four Emperors, Shanks' World Government bounty rests at 4,048,900,000 belly, One Piece's fictional currency that's likely equivalent to the Japanese yen. For context, 4,048,900,000 yen is nearly 26.5 million U.S. dollars. Keep in-mind that this bounty and his Emperor status were achieved after losing an arm, or a Devil Fruit granting him supernatural powers, as opposed to all-other Emperors. Before then, he was a master swordsman, having daily duels with Dracule "Hawk-Eyes" Mihawk, the man who would become The World's Strongest Swordsman, with skill surpassing Shanks-wait a minute- (See Scaling).
He captured Loki, the nation of Elbaph's strongest giant. Keep in-mind this guy had a Devil Fruit that took the form of a massive warhammer that creates thunderstorms, lightning, freezes people solid and turns into a metallic giant squirrel. Kaidou - said to be The World's Strongest Creature - believes Shanks is among only 5 people who can fight him, and Shanks proved it when they battled. Though the specifics of this fight aren't clear, Shanks and his crew did repel Kaidou from his intended destination (See Scaling). Navy Admirals Red Dog and Greenbull did not challenge Shanks after he interrupted their attacks, albeit while they were already facing lesser but still high-level combatants (and in Akainu's case, holding back to avoid further destruction). He is one of a handful to know all three types of Haki, and can use the Advanced forms of two; even just learning the basics usually takes more than 2 years. According to Oda, he has even managed to find a method for disabling the Observation Haki of others via his own (Debatable, See Before the Verdict).
As preivously mentioned, Shanks was an apprentice pirate at the age-of-9, and would have likely gained a degree of experience prior given he was raised on Roger's ship when just a year-old. Regardless, his resume as a pirate extends 3 decades. With the charisma, willpower and fighting prowess to pack an exceptionally balanced crew, "Emperor" is a fitting description for how high his ceiling will go.
Minato Namikaze
Graduating from the Leaf Village's Academy 2 years earlier-then-average, Minato immediately stood-out from the crowd. Achieving the highest score on the village's written portion of the Journeyman Ninja Exams only bolstered his reputation. Notably, this is something later genius ninja like Itachi and Shikamaru failed to do, the latter having an IQ over 200. Keep-in-mind that even Junior Ninja are proficient in stealth, melee and weapon combat.
After becoming an Elite Ninja, he studied plenty of advanced techniques. After having briefly seen two Tailed Beast Balls just-once, he replicated the principles behind their creation to form a miniature version, the Rasengan (do note it was only perfected after 3 years). He's well-honed in summoning, barrier and sensory techniques, which are advanced-enough to be specialties for most Journeyman Ninja. He evolved the Uzumaki's clan's renowned sealing techniques to better restrain the Nine-Tails' influence, which had Kurama question if he and the First Fire Shadow, Hashirama Senju, were of the same caliber. Achievements in the War earned him village leadership over numerous Elite Ninja, including the Three Legendary Ninja.
His progeny extends to learning Sage Mode - which requires absolute precision in combining one's chakra with natural energy - and the Flying Thunder God, a space-time technique which involves entering a dimensional void and exiting to a pre-prepared chakra signature. Not even Tobirama Senju - a legendary ninja and The Second Fire Shadow - could master this move. There's a reason why Jiraiya said he had once-in-a decade talent and a rare genius, allowing him to become Fire Shadow "in the blink of an eye".
All of this for someone who died at just 24, though he did go-on to face legendary ninja and essentially divine powers when reanimated. Top that off with him being a highly-skilled tactician and wise leader; Minato is easily one of the greatest ninja to have ever lived.
Equipment
Shanks
Gryphon
A longer-than-average saber named after a mythological creature that squawks. Curiously, Shamrock's sword is also named after a mythological beast, and imbued with a Devil Fruit to give it sentience and unique powers. Coincedence? Who knows, but what we know for sure is that Gryphon isn't one of the 12 Supreme Grade Blades, said to be those of the highest quality and strength. Yet in Shanks' hands it has gone up against Murakumogiri and (most likely) Yoru, wielded by an Emperor - Whitebeard - and Mihawk respectively. The blade also withstood a fist of magma from Akainu, whose ambient heat can vaporize part of a dagger. How much does this has to do with the blade versus Shanks' own abilities is unclear, especially since Oda has said Shanks can light it on fire (Debatable, See Before the Verdict).
Minato Namikaze
Flying Thunder God Kunai
Custom-made kunai more akin to sai, these are Minato's calling-card (minus that snazzy Fire Shadow cloak). The three-pronged blade and thicker handle create extra weight, though this has never slowed Minato down. The inscriptions on each handle serve as markers for Minato's signature technique and fighting style, which you'll hear about later. The exact number he carries at any one-time is never-stated, but most ninja have pouches that carry up-to a dozen. Considering these are the core of Minato's gameplan, he should have 12, assuming he didn't lose any during Obito and Kurama's assault.
Abilities
Shanks
Immense Willpower, Resilient Immortality and Minor Adaptation
By real-world standards, Shanks' will and ability to survive extreme conditions would absolutely be superhuman. He was unbothered sacrificng his arm simply because it saved Luffy; there's no-evidence the blood-loss impeded him, at least immediately. Those with Conqueror's Haki are already extremely rare, requiring exceptional willpower to unlock and hone the ability to dominate weaker-willed opponents. Advanced Conqueror's Haki requires further refinement, so Shanks' willpower is off-the-charts.
Even at just 13-years old, he and the other Roger Pirates adapted to the low oxygen of Skypiea 10 kilometers (~6.2 miles) above sea level. In One Piece, average citizens "cannot handle" being just 7 kilometers (~4.35 miles) above sea level; not too dissamilar to the real-world effects of high altitudes on people. For context, 8 kilometers (~4.97 miles) up is considered the "death zone", inevitably lethal after extended exposure.
Haki
One's latent willpower brought to its fullest extent. Most are unaware of its existence, let alone able to use it. Even intense training, trauma and raw talent often only lead someone to specialize in a single-type, and that's if they know another at all. That said, it's absolutely worth learning if you can. Even rudimentary usage of a single variation can allow otherwise normal people to compete with superior adversaries, even ones with supernatural powers. It can improve through intense usage during life-or-death scenarios; skilled users can maintain and instinctively use it while unconscious.
Intense-enough Haki exertion can negate certain Devil Fruit powers. Aside from a blanket ability to damage otherwise intangible foes, Haki has been shown to negate being put to sleep, intense gravity, extreme temperatures (likely how he withstood Akainu's heat), spatial manipulation, soul manipulation, and even revert a sex-bending disease via "Haki anti-bodies"...yes, you read that right.
Shanks has unlocked the Advanced forms of all three variations: Color of Armament, Color of Observation and Color of Supreme King. Note that despite being willpower, one's Haki is a limited energy source. Slowly replenishing, it cannot typically be regained mid-combat.
Color of Armament
This form of Haki acts as black armor invisible to non-Haki users, hardening the affected areas or - for more proficient users - the entire body. This provides major increases in both protection and attack power, enough to defend against and hurt foes the user previously couldn't hope to compete with. The same goes for objects; anything can be a weapon. Usage of Armament Haki is probably how Shanks stopped Akainu's punch.
Advanced Color of Armament can flow through a part of the body and a short distance through the air; this is far more potent than normal Armament. While Shanks is not a confirmed-user, his ability to protect Koby from Akainu's ambient heat means he could be capable of it.
Color of Observation
The Color of Observation grants a sixth sense, allowing one to detect the auras of others (envisioned as colored silhouettes on a black background), even when they're far away or impossible to normally see. This includes the strength, health, emotions and Haki of beings with auras. Through sensing the intents of others, their incoming actions can be predicted. Do note that this isn't literal precognition; just a strong inclination of what an opponent may do based on existing knowledge. Additionally, similar or much-stronger auras can conceal the one(s) sought after; this is particularly effective when the target is inside another being.
Luckily for Shanks, Advanced Observation Haki steps things-up to do just that! Its practicioners can see mental images "many seconds" into the future, altering their present actions as they wish. This includes performing ones that alter said future. With enough practice, it can be consistently performed in-combat so long as one is calm and focused. Shanks has developed the skill enough to sense Greenbull's attempted murders from miles away, though we haven't seen him use it in a fight.
Color of the Supreme King
Only one in several million people can use this type, and it's impossible to awaken via training alone. Additionally, it can only be made stronger through one's personal growth.
Supreme King Haki directly projects pure willpower through physical space; weaker-willed individuals are instantly knocked-out. Even those with strong wills can be intimidated by the sheer presence and killing intent exuded; most animals are entirely tamed after exposure. Clashes between users create "black lightning" (name not literal) and devastating shockwaves.
Having the honor of introducing both this version and Haki in-action to the story, Shanks is a pro with it. He knocked out dozens of the Whitebeard Pirates, experienced sailors who braved the treacherous New World. Whitebeard's 3rd Division Commander, "Diamond" Jozu, said you had to prepare for Shanks' Haki to withstand it. Oda stated that Shanks could knock out 100,000 members of the New Fish-Man Pirates, and he's projected it miles away to intimidate Greenbull.
The "Advanced" version is one only a handful of the world's strongest can perform, Shanks being one such person. This level functions similarly to Armament Haki and its Advanced level; the user and objects are imubed with weaponized willpower, creating a defensive and offensive combo far greater than Advanced Armament Haki. Just its activation can unintentionally damage the surroundings and knock-out weak-willed individuals. Perhaps most impressively, this ability both nullify summonings and slow the regeneration of immortal beings, even entirely negating it with enough effort.
Oda has claimed that Shanks is so proficient in the Color of the Supreme King that he can nullify the Observation Haki of others...somehow. (Debatable, See Before the Verdict)
Divine Departure
By combining Advanced Armament and Supreme King Haki into Gryphon, Shanks unleashes a projectile Haki slash. It was powerful enough to cleave through Pirate Captain Eustass Kid's railgun, taking him and his First Division Commander Killer in one-go; their flagship and crew were devastated in the proccess. According to Oda, Shanks learnt the techniques of Roger just by watching them, including this signature move of the deceased Pirate King.
Minato Namikaze
Impure World Reincarnation Physiology
With a living human sacrifice and DNA of a deceased individual, the dead person's soul can be retrieved from the afterlife. The combination of left-over physical and spiritual energy and natural chakra from the sacrifice reconstructs the desired chakra signature, overriding the living person's. This necromancy transfers the user's mind from the afterlife too; despite seeming to regain their body, it's just a facade of dust and ash around the victim. "Clothes" are simply a part of this body, offering no real protection.
Effectively a zombie, Minato cannot die unless his soul is removed from the body, destroyed, or he gets closure via some sort of emotional reconciliation. His immortality additonally serves as automatic healing from any physical damage, a lack of any organic bodily needs, immunity to pain and inexhaustible stamina. Normally this comes with the major downside of being at the summoner's control, but that obviously won't be an issue here. The only real weakness is him being marginally weaker than his living-self.
Body Techniques
Ninja-in-training constantly drill to practice their hand-to-hand combat, only improving as they rank-up. As a prodigy, Minato's skills in this area surpass most Elite Ninja, some of whom know a pressure point-style neck chop - and are enhanced with...
Chakra
The combination of one's physical and spiritual energy - which gives off a unique signature partially affected by emotions and intent -, produced and circulated via an internal network of 361 points. Through its use, ninja achieve superhuman physique, senses, healing and otherwise supernatural powers. This includes emitting it from the hands or feet to cling onto surfaces and catch projectiles, or launch yourself off either. Sharing with others is also possible, though very risky if you don't have a large amount.
Ever wanted to run-up a wall, tree, or walk on water? Chakra lets you do that no-problem. Sensing other chakras (which Minato has done from countries away) can be used to better understand emotions, intentions and abilities, but is most useful for detecting others. More strangely, chakra apparently acts as an inner thermostat sufficent to prevent ice from spreading inside the body.
Like Haki, it is gradually replenshiable but limited in-quantity. Using up all of one's chakra can cause severe injury and even death. The effectiveness of one's chakra depends upon its amount (self-explanatory), refinement (how much one can safely use at once) and control (how little one expends using the chakra). Elite Ninja excel at all 3, and Minato should be no-exception. While reanimated, he doesn't even have to worry about the last two!
Clone Technique (Debatable)
This move required for graduation lets one create at least two illusory duplicates with no physical mass. Any ninja who can sense chakra decently well will have no trouble seeing through it.
Transformation Technique (Debatable)
A more advanced but still simple move that lets you shapeshift into the apperance anything similar or lesser in size. Not even its best users can make it entirely 1:1, but this only comes into play under intense examination.
Temporary Paralysis Technique (Debatable)
(No images of this one so have a base Zoro victim)
It temporarily paralyzes things at short-to-medium range; the potency and level of opponent this works on varies via the user's strength. Technically simple-to-use, but hard to master.
Body Flicker Technique
(Note that its only called teleportation due to translation shenanigans)
Junior Ninja typically can't perform this burst of high-speed, achieved via allocating a notable amount of chakra to one's feet. When compared to someone of similar speed, this move makes you faster than they can see. However, said movement is just being propelled in a straight-line, and thus not efficient for direct combat. Minato was proficient-enough in this maneuever to outclass the other Fire Shadows and a younger Ay. His skill with it was even considered similar to that of Nine-Tails Chakra Mode Naruto.
Body Replacement Technique (Debatable)
Supposedly, the user moves so fast, precise and stealthily when replacing their current location with an object that they appear to be hit. Sounds basically impossible to pull off, but with the Body Flicker it should be doable. Yet we've seen characters do this while physically restrained, seemingly making it a form of teleportation. You'd think people would use it a lot more, but perhaps it just takes too much chakra?
Shadow Clone Technique
Created by The Second Fire Shadow, this move is one of the world's most versatile. Precise manipulation and division of chakra lets one create copies of themselves, apparel and equipment included. How many? Assuming proper use of the Technique, it depends on someone's amount of chakra. Each clone made further divides the pool and consequently strains the user; most ninja need to be Elite for safe usage, and even then they must be careful.
Though each clone is weaker than the original, they are still somewhat relative. The biggest difference is in durability; a decisive and painful blow is usually enough to dissipate them, and at most a few more will get the job done. Once gone, any experiences they've had are transferred to the original. There is still a partial link between clones and creator, enough to assert control if they go rogue.
Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique
More advanced than the normal Shadow Clone Technique, Minato showed he could create at least 21 duplicates of his kunai during the Third Great Ninja War. Supposedly a practicioner can create a thousand, but this is likely hyperbole given no-one in the series proper creates more than a few dozen.
Barrier Creation (Likely Inapplicable)
Minato created a barrier large-enough to encircle the colossal Nine-Tails. After doing so, he immediately began preparations for a sealing jutsu designed specificially for it, so its unlikely he could do this in a more conventional brawl. He also aided the Fire Shadows in a similar technique, but never used any variation in a straight-up fight.
Dead Demon Consuming Seal
(Ignore the buns translation)
The Uzumaki clan's ultimate Sealing Technique, which Minato used to split the Nine-Tails' chakra and seal one half. Weaving multiple hand seals, Minato partially removes his own soul after summoning the God of Death, invisible to everyone but him. A few moments later, the God of Death encircles its left arm in prayer beads and chants until a Cursed Seal appears on said limb. Driving the arm into Minato's soul, this entity can then be called upon to seal someone. Once this occurs, the aforementioned arm goes through Minato's body and grasps the desired soul. This allows the victim to see the God of Death, but leaves them stuck-in-place and unable to perform any Techniques (See Before the Verdict), allowing their spirit to be sealed inside Minato. Soon after, both souls inside Minato are cut free from the body and gradually devoured by the God of Death. How much of a soul Minato can seal depends on his strength relative to the chosen being's. Whatever part he does manage to seal will render the corresponding body part unusable, though initating this Technique will always lead to Minato's death.
Rasengan
The move Minato personally invented, using the Tailed Beast Ball as a model. Its a bright and highly-condensed orb of intensely powerful rotating chakra, grinding into surfaces while still delievering major concussive force. Its decidedly more effective than conventional blows, even against stronger opponents. Minato should be able to increase its size up-to around that of a car, but he's never chosen to do so.
Flying Thunder God
Another move invented by The Second Fire Shadow, but one Minato perfected. Inscribing a chakra formula on a surface via contact - which can't normally be removed barring said surface's destruction - Minato can teleport to its exact location. This includes anything he touches or those his chakra is directly linked to, albeit at a greater chakra cost. Somehow, this works across dimensions.
It was this technique - in combination with his natural speed and multitude of kunai - that earned Minato his nickname; to the unfamiliar, he simply appeared to have godlike usage of the Body Flicker. That's without taking into account that Minato can forcibly teleport anything he has marked and is touching (by himself or with his chakra). That makes for largely uncounterable teamwork and offense, particularly if an opponent has been marked.
Sage Mode
(Formatting got a little fucked at this part)
Learning to attract and absorb invisible natural energy - the Earth and atmosphere's ambience - while perfectly balancing it with one's chakra grants access to a heightened state of being. Too much chakra, and this doesn't work. Too little, and one will gradually turn into the type of Sage Creature they learnt this from, and eventually petrify.
Even more difficult and dangerous to learn than this sounds, Sage Mode is absolutely worth the effort. Aside from awesome glow-in-the dark eyes, Sage Mode dramatically enhances one's physical abilities and Techniques (See Before the Verdict), going so far as to allow entirely new ones. Sages can see and sense much farther than previously; Naruto's Sage Mode gave him the heads-up on events across countries. Sages can also see otherwise invisible objects, and predict enemy movements with such accuracy that fighting while blind is more than doable.
Natural energy can only be collected when at a stand-still, so even Sages with extended time to prepare will gas out their supply well-before running out of chakra. The maximum time-limit is 5 minutes. However, a stationary Shadow Clone can be used to collect more; when it dissipates, the natural energy goes to the original. Naruto could only employ 5 Shadow Clones in this manner lest they lose focus.
Frog Kata
A martial art akin to karate, which Minato presumably learnt along with Sage Mode from toads. By extending his natural energy around him, Minato can deal internal damage when landing hits, or make near-misses into connected blows, as Naruto shows above.
Kurama
...or rather, the half Minato sealed inside himself. After his resurrection, they had a duel of souls, with Minato gaining the ability to use his chakra. Later, he befriended him. Having been around for well-over a century prior to being sealed and spending at least some of that time rampaging against the world's villages, Kurama is surprisingly knowledgable. Naruto's half - and eventually, the whole version - regularly aided him as a tactician. This includes taking over his body if need-be. Those with Tailed Beasts can break out of illusions those normally immune to them can't.
Kurama Mode
Syncing up with Kurama grants Minato access to his immense chakra, enhanced by their perfect bond. Acting as a barrier against attacks far stronger than the user - including elemental ones -, it massively increases Minato's physical abilities. He can create chakra arms from anywhere on his body with size that can constantly vary (from the size of fingers to several times larger than Minato himself).
Kurama's glowy chakra can do some weird stuff too, like making plants grow unnaturally big, or corroding life with poison. It also has a degree of interaction with the soul, slowing down Impure World Reincarnation's regeneration and granting one the ability to keep their own soul from being removed (See Before the Verdict).
Tailed Beast Mode
Minato's ultimate trump card. Calling forth all of Kurama's energy, the two work together to create a chakra construct in his image. Of similar size to the skyscraper-sized fox, this behemoth is beholden to their will. Minato hovers inside the head so Naruto can become a mecha anime, piloting it from within via thought. He can still use all his normal Techniques, which are in-fact enhanced by the extra chakra. Working with Naruto - who was using Sage Mode combined with Kurama Mode (See Before the Verdict) - their Rasengan was the size of a hill.
Tailed Beast Bomb
Minato's actual ultimate trump card! The Tailed Beast Bomb is an 8:2 ratio of positive black to negative white chakra used by a Tailed Beast or someone in Tailed Beast Mode. The result? A highly-dense and explosive ball or beam larger than the progenitor. There's a reason why the "Naruto became DBZ" meme usually features this thing.
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