Tsunade

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Tsunade (纲手)
Alias(es)	Lady Tsunade; Teacher Tsunade; Tsunade-sama
Gender	Female
Affiliation	Konohagakure; Fifth Squad
Occupation/Role	Konoha Sannin; medical ninja; Fifth Squad instructor
Status	Active
First Appearance	Chapter 15

Background / History

Tsunade suffered the consecutive loss of loved ones and her lover, fell into despair, and developed hemophobia. Unable to hold a scalpel despite being an outstanding medical ninja, she left Konoha with Shizune and lived as a wanderer. 39

Her reluctance to become attached to young shinobi stems from this grief. When considering Uchiha Chi, whom she believes shares Nawaki's ideals, she hopes he can grow safely without being singled out or burdened by special treatment. 40

After Uchiha Chi showed her kindness at an izakaya, Tsunade resolved to repay him. She initially intended to teach him only basic survival knowledge and practical Senju Clan techniques before resuming her travels with Shizune. 19 54

Sarutobi Hiruzen paid Tsunade one million ryo to serve briefly as an instructor. She accepted on the condition that she would only train the students for a few days, initially planning to teach basic teamwork and battlefield survival before leaving. 40

Appearance

Tsunade is a blonde woman with long golden hair, often tied in a high ponytail. Her appearance is frequently described as striking, with almond-shaped eyes and a notably revealing style of dress. 15 68 106

• Long golden hair. 70 134
• Fair, slender hands and carefully trimmed nails. 56
• Deep cleavage; she once concealed Fifth Squad’s bells in her cleavage. 15 65
• Her golden hair is particularly conspicuous in sunlight. 134

Personality

Tsunade is outspoken, confident, and highly pragmatic. She openly demanded payment from Hiruzen before agreeing to instruct students, and money repeatedly motivates her decisions. 40 111

Her usual carefree, boisterous manner conceals a deeply protective mentor. She prioritizes her students’ survival over their future fame, wanting them to live long enough to enjoy life freely rather than simply become powerful ninja. 56

Although she initially treated Fifth Squad as a short-term obligation, she gradually took responsibility for their development. She began sparring Uchiha Chi daily to keep him from injuring his teammates, trained Kakashi and Kurenai individually, and ultimately chose to remain their instructor until they reach Jonin level. 83 103 105

Tsunade is also proud and reluctant to admit emotional attachment. When announcing that she would continue teaching, she falsely claimed Hiruzen had begged her to stay rather than admitting she cared about the squad. 106

Abilities & Skills

Medical Ninjutsu

Tsunade is recognized as an outstanding medical ninja, though her hemophobia prevents her from performing surgery or even holding a scalpel after her past losses. 39

• Identifies Uchiha Chi’s use of the Mystical Palm Technique and recognizes his medical talent. 70
• Teaches Yūhi Kurenai medical knowledge and Poison Arts. 84 96
• Examines Samui following the border conflict and assesses her combat capabilities. 131
• Her hemophobia is triggered by blood, causing her to faint during the battle with Killer B. 125

Monster Strength

Tsunade channels Monster Strength through her limbs, allowing her to deliver devastating blows and survive powerful attacks. 71 72

• Used Monster Strength through her feet alongside Body Flicker Technique to pursue Uchiha Chi in mid-air. 71
• Created a pit with her strength to mitigate Uchiha Chi’s Great Fireball Technique. 72
• Her strikes severely injured Kakashi during Fifth Squad’s assessment. 69 70
• Her physical power and combat experience enabled her to pressure Uchiha Chi despite his superior physical attributes. 73

Taijutsu & Combat Experience

As a Konoha Sannin and longtime Jonin, Tsunade possesses exceptional close-quarters skill and battlefield judgment. 54 71

• Assessed Fifth Squad’s individual strengths by fighting each member herself. 68
• Uses feints and rapid combinations of knees, kicks, punches, elbows, and palm strikes. 73
• Defeated Kurenai’s genjutsu attempt and sent her flying. 69
• Recognized Killer B as a Kumogakure Jinchuriki after sensing the Tailed Beast within him. 123

Poison Arts

Tsunade understands toxins as part of her medical expertise. 74

• Provided Kurenai with oleander and datura petals capable of causing nerve death and complete paralysis in small quantities. 83
• Agreed to privately teach Kurenai Poison Arts for payment. 84
• Was credited with warning Uchiha Chi about poison allegedly placed on her shoe tips. 74

Equipment / Items

• First Hokage’s necklace — A significant heirloom containing the First Hokage’s chakra. Tsunade dismisses it as a cheap “Death Necklace” before giving it to Uchiha Chi. 136
• Tower key — Given to Uchiha Chi along with permission to enter and clean the tower. 136
• Oleander and datura petals — Paralytic poison materials provided to Kurenai. 83
• Fifth Squad bells — Concealed in her cleavage during the squad’s bell test. 65

Relationships

• Sarutobi Hiruzen — Her former teacher and the Third Hokage. Their relationship is familiar and argumentative; he repeatedly provides funds and tries to persuade her to remain in Konoha. 39 40 105 111
• Shizune — Her close, familial companion and household caretaker. Shizune worries about Tsunade’s gambling and supports her decision to change. 67 80 96
• Uchiha Chi — Student and the person whose kindness prompted Tsunade to return his favor. She becomes protective of him, keeps his Sharingan secret, warns him about Danzō, and entrusts him with the First Hokage’s necklace. 19 54 77 136
• Hatake Kakashi — Student in Fifth Squad. Tsunade harshly trains him in taijutsu but also advises him to balance training with rest. 69 86 103
• Yūhi Kurenai — Student in Fifth Squad. Tsunade mentors her in medical knowledge and Poison Arts, while Kurenai shows concern for Tsunade’s welfare. 83 84 104
• Killer B — Kumogakure Jinchuriki whom Tsunade confronts during the northern-border intelligence mission. 115 123
• Nawaki — Her deceased younger brother. Tsunade sees similarities between his ideals and Uchiha Chi’s, influencing her wish to protect Chi from loss and burden. 40 105

Story Role / Major Arcs

Return to Konoha

Tsunade returns to Konoha after Uchiha Chi’s kindness and looks for the Uchiha student who affected her. She visits the Uchiha Security Force headquarters, alarming Fugaku, then approaches Hiruzen about becoming a paid temporary instructor. 19 33 39 40

Fifth Squad Instructor

Tsunade takes command of Fifth Squad—Uchiha Chi, Kakashi, and Kurenai—intending only a brief mentorship. She teaches teamwork, survival priorities, and practical combat awareness, then accepts the team after their unconventional bell test. 54 56 64 65

Combat Assessment and Training

Admitting that it is her first time serving as a lead instructor, Tsunade tests each student personally to determine their strengths. Her sparring reveals Uchiha Chi’s medical talent, resilience, taijutsu, and Sharingan, while she begins taking a sustained role in the squad’s training. 68 70 71 73 83

Continued Mentorship

After overseeing the squad’s wild-boar missions and witnessing their rapid improvement, Tsunade decides to keep instructing Fifth Squad until all three reach Jonin level. She publicly attributes the decision to a shortage of instructors, concealing her personal concern for them. 103 105 106

Northern Border Intelligence Mission

Tsunade leads Fifth Squad on a B-rank intelligence mission near the northern border. When the squad encounters Killer B and his allies, she orders her students to handle the other enemies while she confronts the Jinchuriki. 111 115

Tsunade recognizes Killer B’s Tailed Beast chakra and orders a retreat when Atsui reveals the squad has been captured. She remains determined to protect her students, but blood triggers her hemophobia during the battle and she collapses until Uchiha Chi catches her. 123 125

First Hokage’s Necklace

After the mission, Tsunade gives Uchiha Chi the necklace containing the First Hokage’s chakra. She warns him to be careful in Konoha—particularly around Shimura Danzō—demonstrating the trust she has developed in him. 136

Notable Quotes

“Rather than becoming a powerful Ninja in the future, I personally hope you can do your best to ensure your own survival in dangerous and urgent situations.” 56

“I just think they all have some potential, so I've decided to continue guiding them for a while. Once they become ninja who can stand on their own, I'll leave.” 105

“With your current strength, you can't contend with this guy.” 115

Trivia

• Tsunade initially agreed to teach Fifth Squad in exchange for one million ryo. 40
• She intended to stop gambling for the sake of her students and household. 80
• She promises to treat Fifth Squad to a meal only after winning at the casino. 65
• Though she calls the First Hokage’s necklace worthless, it is an important heirloom containing his chakra. 136