Don’t act like Naruto wasn’t an underdog.

-Being a reincarnation doesn’t mean powerful.

-Ninetails is a handicap. Only 2 people ever became perfect Jinchuriki before Naruto.

-Being the son of Minato doesn’t mean anything. Hinata is the daughter of Hiashi and look at her.

-The prophesy wasn’t just a handout since it also applied to Nagato. Naruto had to work to become strong in order to be the one who it speaks of.

From my point of view, the only power up he was retroactively given was Uzumaki chakra levels.

*clarification for the Hinata comment. I love her character and I’m not saying she was weak. But it’s undeniable that she was not as strong as expected of the heir to the hyuga. Just look at her match against Neji in the Chunin exams.