Tsunade

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Tsunade (纲手)
Gender	Female
Affiliation	Konohagakure; Senju Clan
Occupation/Role	Medical ninja; Fourth Hokage; mentor
Status	Alive
First Appearance	Chapter 10

Background

Tsunade served as a medical ninja on the front lines despite holding resentment toward Konoha. She remained because her ethics would not allow her to watch patients die, neutralizing even newly developed poisons from Chiyo. 10

She had previously been in a relationship with Hatake Gengetsu. Their early reunion was tense and playful, but their relationship gradually resumed; by the time Tsunade considered leaving office, they were described as married. 6 10 112

Appearance

Tsunade is a blonde kunoichi with emerald eyes and an enchanting face marked by a heroic bearing. Though stated to be twenty-eight during her frontline service, she retains the appearance of a woman around twenty. 10

• Uses Transformation Jutsu to alter her appearance when returning from gambling trips. 35
• Her appearance remains seemingly unchanged over time; she is notably sensitive about being called old. 167

Personality

Tsunade is blunt, assertive, and easily angered, yet she is strongly guided by medical ethics and a sense of responsibility. She initially resists war assignments and political obligations, but accepts them when convinced they are necessary to protect her path to the Hokage position or preserve village stability. 10 43 113

She finds the Hokage position exhausting and repeatedly considers resigning. Even so, she chooses to remain when stepping down could provoke unrest within the Uchiha clan. 100 112 113

Her gambling habit is severe enough that gambling houses refuse her entry and, in some cases, close when she arrives. 35 166 167

Abilities & Skills

Medical Ninjutsu

Tsunade is an exceptional medical ninja capable of neutralizing poisons developed by Chiyo. Her continued presence on the battlefield is treated as decisive protection against such poisons. 10

• Neutralizes poison by immersing her hands in water, turning it black as the toxin is removed. 10
• Heals Sasuke after his battle with the Sound Four. 173
• Trains Sakura in medical ninjutsu and regards her observational ability and potential highly. 171 175

Monstrous Strength

Tsunade wields overwhelming physical force. After learning Armament Haki from Gengetsu, she can combine it with her monstrous-strength punches to devastating effect. 32 81

• Her Armament Haki-coated punch shattered a Lava Release wall and pulverized hundreds of square meters of ground behind it. 81
• Easily overpowered members of the Sound Four. 176
• Her strength was said to have reached the level she later displayed against Edo Tensei Madara, despite not yet mastering the Hundred Healings Jutsu. 81

Genjutsu

Tsunade can deploy wide-area Genjutsu with enough power to trap multiple Sound Ninja, including Tayuya, who has Genjutsu training herself. 177

• Uses regional Genjutsu requiring substantial chakra and mental strength. 177
• Her illusion caused Tayuya to mistake her own summoned puppets for Tsunade, Sasuke, and Sakura. 177

Chakra Protection

Tsunade can quickly release chakra to shield nearby allies from battlefield debris. 176

Transformation Jutsu

Tsunade uses Transformation Jutsu to change her appearance. 35

Equipment / Items

• Medical mask worn while treating poisoned patients. 10
• Sake and chicken meatballs requested during an evening with Gengetsu. 32

Relationships

• Hatake Gengetsu — Former boyfriend who later becomes her husband; he supports her Hokage ambitions, teaches her Armament Haki, and remains her closest political and personal partner. 6 32 112
• Senju Nawaki — Her younger brother and later her assistant as Hokage; he worries about her debts and helps replace Hiruzen’s belongings after her takeover. 6 35 84 86
• Nohara Rin — Treated as a disciple and errand runner; Rin looks up to Tsunade and later helps discuss the Hokage succession issue. 32 113
• Sakura Haruno — Her disciple. Tsunade recognizes Sakura’s monstrous strength, Genjutsu resistance, observation skills, and medical potential. 169 170 175
• Uchiha Sasuke — A student under Gengetsu and Tsunade’s care; she teaches him, protects him from the Sound Four, and heals his injuries. 166 173 176
• Hinata Hyūga — Tsunade reluctantly agrees to guide her after showing maternal concern for the young girl. 119
• Orochimaru — Former associate whose intentions Tsunade distrusts, particularly regarding his research into First Hokage cells and Senju–Uchiha bloodlines. 17 38
• Jiraiya — Her fellow Sannin; he is visibly frightened by the destructive scale of her Armament Haki-enhanced strength. 81

Story Role / Major Arcs

Frontline Medical Service

Tsunade treats poisoned shinobi at the front lines, neutralizing Chiyo’s poisons while maintaining an outwardly calm but emotionally cold demeanor. 10

Campaign for the Hokage Position

Initially reluctant to join the war against Kumogakure, Tsunade agrees after Gengetsu explains that earning military merit is necessary for her to become Fourth Hokage. 43

She joins Gengetsu and Sakumo in a plan to force Hiruzen Sarutobi’s resignation. 44

Fourth Hokage

Tsunade succeeds Hiruzen as the Fourth Hokage after the war. She immediately asserts her authority by ordering Hiruzen’s personal belongings removed from the Hokage office. 84 86

Her direct governing style earns praise in contrast to the former Elder Council’s double-dealing. 99

Succession Crisis

Tsunade repeatedly considers resigning because she finds the position tiring. She delays her departure to avoid destabilizing the village and inflaming Uchiha dissatisfaction over the next Hokage. 100 112 113

She eventually decides to step down with Minato intended as her successor. 129

Mentor of Sakura and Protector of Sasuke

After witnessing Sakura’s monstrous strength and resistance to Genjutsu, Tsunade accepts her as a disciple. 170

She becomes increasingly invested in Sakura’s development, skipping gambling dens to teach her. 175

During the Sound Four’s attack, Tsunade protects Sasuke and Sakura, defeats several attackers with ease, and heals Sasuke after Gengetsu intervenes. 173 176

Trivia

• Tsunade’s gambling debts become so notorious that establishments post notices specifically barring “Princess Tsunade.” 166
• She has been described as a “crazy woman” by a terrified Jiraiya after demonstrating her Haki-enhanced punch. 81
• Her initial interest in mentoring Sakura is partly influenced by Sakura’s feelings for Sasuke, though she later becomes sincerely impressed by Sakura’s talent. 169 175