Tsunade

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Tsunade (纲手)
Alias(es)	“Princess Tsunade”; one of the Konoha Three Ninjas 66 96
Gender	Female
Affiliation	Konohagakure; Team 1
Occupation/Role	Medical ninja; Team 1 leader; Fourth Hokage 113 252
Status	Retired from the Hokage position after Hikawa succeeds her as Fifth Hokage 301 303
First Appearance	Chapter 16

Background

Tsunade is Hashirama Senju’s granddaughter and is recognized as the only ninja referred to as a princess. Her standing as both a Senju descendant and an elite medical ninja gives her considerable influence with the Land of Fire’s Daimyo and nobility. Her home is the former residence of Hashirama Senju and Mito Uzumaki, located between Hokage Rock and Konoha Hospital. 31 66

She fought beside Jiraiya and Orochimaru against Hanzō of the Salamander, a battle that established the three as the Konoha Three Ninjas. Nawaki’s death deeply affected both her and Orochimaru, and left Tsunade initially unwilling to pursue the Hokage position. 66 96

Tsunade becomes Hikawa’s medical-ninjutsu instructor after recognizing his aptitude and mental fortitude during surgery. She later formally accepts him as her student and leads him, Yuhi Kurenai, and Rin Nohara as Team 1. 25 26 46 113

Appearance

Tsunade has golden hair and notably fair skin. She is often associated with kimono-style clothing and carries herself with a confident, imposing presence. 82 179

• Golden hair 82
• Fair complexion 82
• Wears kimono on formal occasions, including Minato and Kushina’s wedding 254

Personality

Tsunade is blunt, decisive, and fearless in both surgery and battle. She readily takes responsibility when Konoha faces a crisis, but has little patience for bureaucracy, formalities, or people she considers foolish. 25 82 180

Her most visible flaws are her love of gambling and drinking. Despite repeatedly losing at casinos, she enthusiastically returns whenever she has the opportunity—especially when Hikawa’s presence improves her luck. 25 26 164 303

As a teacher, Tsunade is demanding but protective. She trains Hikawa to endure pressure from stronger opponents, encourages Rin to develop combat ability alongside medical ninjutsu, and refuses to send young Uchiha Itachi to war. 117 119 221

Her reluctance to become Hokage stems from the deaths of Hashirama, Tobirama, and Nawaki, whom she associates with the burden of the title. Hikawa’s growth and support eventually convince her to accept the position. 245

Abilities & Skills

Medical Ninjutsu

Tsunade is regarded as one of the Ninja World’s foremost medical ninja. Her surgical skill, judgment, and reputation inspire confidence in wounded Konoha shinobi and earn her gratitude from the Land of Fire’s Daimyo. 25 83 222

• Performs difficult surgery while directing follow-up treatment. 25
• Tutors Hikawa and Rin Nohara in medical ninjutsu. 26 115
• Teaches the Hemostatic Technique and monitors Hikawa’s rapid progress. 45
• Treats and organizes medical support during wartime. 221 222

Super Strength

Tsunade’s signature fighting style concentrates chakra into overwhelming physical strikes. Her attacks can shatter terrain, destroy puppets, and kill powerful opponents with a single blow. 31 87 118

• Crushed stone beneath her foot into powder. 31
• Uses Painful Sky Foot to fracture the ground and destroy enemy puppets. 87
• Defeated Grass shinobi leader Shun Yuan with one punch. 118
• Personally trained Hikawa in Super Strength and close-quarters resilience. 120 137

Slug Summoning

Tsunade is connected to the slugs of Shikkotsu Forest and uses them for communication and reconnaissance. She also teaches Hikawa the Summoning Technique. 45 117

• A slug relays information and guides Team 1 during the mission to rescue Uzumaki Miho. 117
• Taught Hikawa the Summoning Technique; he subsequently summoned a slug from Shikkotsu Forest. 45

Yin Seal

Tsunade possesses and uses the Yin Seal. She can employ it to quickly remove the aftereffects of intoxication. 328

Leadership and Strategy

Tsunade is an effective wartime commander who combines direct combat leadership with political decisiveness.

• Led 400 shinobi to reinforce the Cloud Village frontline. 148 149
• Led 500 Konoha shinobi to the Land of Rivers and later 2,000 to reinforce the Hidden Stone battlefield. 167 180
• Opposed Orochimaru’s command at a Jōnin meeting and won the support of most Jōnin. 231
• Assigned duties following Konoha’s victory over the Cloud Village, establishing herself as Konoha’s de facto leader. 238

Relationships

• Hikawa — Her student, Team 1 member, trusted battlefield partner, and eventual romantic partner. Tsunade later retires as Hokage after he agrees to succeed her. 26 113 271 301
• Sarutobi Hiruzen — Former teacher and Third Hokage. He recognizes her qualifications and ultimately supports her rise to Hokage. 66 162 245
• Jiraiya — Former teammate and fellow Konoha Three Ninja. They remain familiar allies, though Jiraiya is often frustrated by her gambling and closeness with Hikawa. 54 96 211
• Orochimaru — Former teammate and rival for the Hokage position. Tsunade later resolves to strip him of power over his role in the Wood Style experiments. 66 211 231
• Kushina Uzumaki — Close friend. Tsunade trusts her to teach Hikawa the Rasengan and works with her to shelter Uzumaki Miho. 102 118
• Yuhi Kurenai — Student under Tsunade’s Team 1. Tsunade recognizes her talent in genjutsu and Water Style. 113 117
• Rin Nohara — Student under Tsunade’s Team 1 and an aspiring medical ninja. Tsunade offers to teach her taijutsu in addition to medical ninjutsu. 113 117
• Uzumaki Miho — Rescued by Tsunade’s team from Grass shinobi captivity; Tsunade brings her to Konoha and arranges for her to live with Kushina. 117 118
• Konan — Akatsuki member aided by Tsunade during the Rain Country conflict. Konan later expresses gratitude for Tsunade’s protection. 145 159
• Might Duy — Fought alongside Tsunade against Hanzō; their victory becomes a major factor in Tsunade’s public rise. 162

Story Role / Major Arcs

Medical Mentor and Team 1 Leader

Tsunade first takes interest in Hikawa after observing his composure during surgery, then agrees to teach him medical ninjutsu in exchange for accompanying her gambling trips. She later accepts him as her student and forms Team 1 with Hikawa, Yuhi Kurenai, and Rin Nohara. 25 26 45 113

As Team 1’s leader, she skips the traditional bell test because of Hikawa’s demonstrated strength. She leads the team on missions, including the rescue of Uzumaki Miho from Grass shinobi. 113 117 118

Rise as a Konoha Leader

Tsunade becomes increasingly involved in Konoha’s political affairs, resisting Danzo’s influence, assisting Sakumo Hatake, and using her prestige with the Land of Fire’s Daimyo. 66 82 83

Her role in Hanzō’s death greatly elevates her reputation. Sarutobi Hiruzen publicizes the victory, and Konoha welcomes her home as a hero. 162

Third Shinobi World War

Tsunade commands major Konoha forces across several fronts, protects her students, and clashes with Orochimaru over wartime authority. Her challenge at the Jōnin meeting allows her to take command of the mission against the Fourth Raikage and Killer B. 148 171 221 231

Following Konoha’s victory over the Cloud Village and Danzo’s capture, Tsunade assumes practical control of Konoha’s military and political affairs. 238 241

Fourth Hokage

With Sarutobi Hiruzen’s recommendation and the Daimyo’s approval, Tsunade becomes Konoha’s Fourth Hokage. Her ascension follows her success in the war and her willingness to confront Danzo’s remaining influence. 245 252

As Hokage, she works with Jiraiya to address Orochimaru and Danzo’s Wood Style experiments, oversees Konoha’s dealings with other villages, and remains a decisive presence in major security matters. 211 240 264

Retirement

Tsunade agrees to retire when Hikawa decides to become Hokage. She formally yields the office to him before his inauguration as Fifth Hokage, immediately looking forward to returning to gambling and drinking without the duties of office. 301 303

Trivia

• Tsunade shares an August 2 birthday with Hikawa. 167 268
• Hashirama Senju introduced her to casinos when she was young. 25
• Her gambling luck notably improves when Hikawa accompanies her. 26 164
• She is known to kick open doors rather than knock. 65
• She considers medical ninjutsu sufficient for her needs and declines to learn Sarutobi Hiruzen’s Five Escapes Great Consecutive Bullet Technique. 192