Tsunade

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Tsunade (纲手)
Alias(es)	Princess Tsunade; one of the Legendary Sannin; Konoha's finest medical ninja 57 59 83 90
Clan	Senju clan; granddaughter of Senju Hashirama 1
Gender	Female
Affiliation	Konohagakure; Shikkotsu Forest summoning contractor 1 231
Occupation/Role	Medical ninja, Medical Ninja Training Class director and instructor, battlefield commander, jōnin leader for Natsuki, Nawaki, and Yakushi Nonō, and Hokage Advisor under the Fifth Hokage 11 21 100 145 176 236
Power Level	Six Paths-level ninja after receiving Ōtsutsuki Isshiki's ocular power and a vast chakra supply from Natsuki 262
Status	Active; pregnant by the finale 262 269
First Appearance	Chapter 1

Power Progression

Period	Advancement
Early career	Already recognized as an elite medical ninja and formidable close-combat shinobi, able to evaluate Natsuki's swordsmanship while defending herself with only a kunai. 1 12
Medical-system reform	Establishes Konoha's Medical Ninja Training Class and advances the policy of assigning medical ninja to combat squads. 11 13
Healing-potion research	Helps develop the Blue Healing Potion and completes research into the Hashirama Cell-based Red Healing Potion: Blood of God. 33 48 59 61
Second Ninja World War	Gains broad renown through battlefield medical work, counter-poison research, command of Konoha's forces, and clashes with Chiyo's puppet corps. 83 90 100 105
Konoha Six Powers	Learns Shave, Geppo, Finger Pistol, and Iron Body from Natsuki; uses Iron Body and Finger Pistol against Hanzo. 116 128 133
Yin Seal development	Cultivates the Yin Seal and begins developing an automatic-healing technique by combining its stored chakra with medical ninjutsu and sealing. 169
Later war against Iwagakure	Demonstrates Wood Release alongside Nawaki against Kitsuchi and provides battlefield-wide healing through Katsuyu's fragments together with Shizune. 231 233
Wood Release amplification	Receives a personally made bracelet containing Natsuki's Wood Release Chakra Crystal, which amplifies her Wood Release. 237
Six Paths empowerment	Receives Isshiki's ocular power and knowledge of his ocular techniques. Natsuki then fills her Yin Seal with vast amounts of chakra, elevating her to Six Paths level. 262

Background / History

Tsunade is the granddaughter of the First, Senju Hashirama, and a student of the Third, Hiruzen Sarutobi. She serves alongside Hiruzen's other students, Jiraiya and Orochimaru, before the three become known as the Legendary Sannin. 1 57 59

At the beginning of the story, she brings her younger brother Nawaki to the Ninja Academy. This period precedes Nawaki's death, her relationship with Dan Katō, and the development of her hemophobia. 1 10

The altered timeline prevents Tsunade from becoming close to Dan Katō; by the time Shizune enters the Medical Ninja Training Class, Tsunade knows of Dan but has no personal connection to him. 169

After the Second Ninja World War, Tsunade shares the Senju compound with Natsuki, Nawaki, Kushina, and Nonō. She continues working at Konoha Hospital while maintaining close involvement in their training and daily lives. 134 148

She declines consideration for the Fourth Hokage position, but later accepts a limited term as an advisor to Natsuki after his election as Fifth Hokage. Her relationship with her former student also develops into a romantic one. 180 235 236 258

By the finale, Tsunade is pregnant. 269

Appearance

Tsunade is introduced as a young woman in a tightly worn jōnin flak jacket, with a notably heroic bearing. At this point in the timeline, she does not yet wear her familiar tea-green haori or bear the diamond-shaped Yin Seal mark on her forehead. 1

• Wears a jōnin flak jacket during field and professional duties. 1 47
• Keeps a necklace left by Hashirama, containing a Chakra Crystal, beneath her clothing. 48
• Uses practical combat and medical gear through Storage Summoning Scrolls. 17 48
• By the later period, her appearance closely resembles her familiar adult appearance and includes the diamond-shaped mark of the cultivated Yin Seal. 169
• Receives a Wood Release Chakra Crystal bracelet from Natsuki at the New Year festival. 237
• Her eyes undergo a fundamental evolution when Natsuki transfers Isshiki's ocular power into them. 262

Personality

Tsunade is affectionate and teasing with people close to her, particularly Nawaki. She flicks his forehead when he complains about being escorted to school, jokes freely with Jiraiya and Orochimaru, and later accepts private cooking lessons from Natsuki because she trusts him to keep them secret. 1 22 40

She is also decisive when Konoha's welfare is at stake. After hearing Natsuki's proposals for medical-ninja reform, she immediately takes them to Hiruzen; when Danzō interferes with the Konoha Orphanage, she openly condemns him and presses Hiruzen to restrain him. 11 21

Despite her prestige, Tsunade has little interest in political leadership or negotiation. Her priorities remain medical work, training capable shinobi, and protecting Konoha's personnel in war. 83 86 115

Outside of professional duties, Tsunade can be notably relaxed and lazy, readily leaving training to others while taking an afternoon nap. She is skeptical of Jiraiya's reliance on the Great Toad Sage's prophecy and prefers practical effort over waiting for a destined savior. 133 144

Her reluctance toward political office persists even when she is a credible Hokage candidate. She regards the position as a burdensome responsibility and prefers personal freedom and gambling. When persuaded to serve as Natsuki's advisor, she insists on a term of no more than three years. 180 235

Tsunade values comrades' lives over a rigid interpretation of mission duty, defending Sakumo after he abandons a mission to save his teammates. She also considers the punishment imposed on Danzō for forbidden human experimentation excessively lenient. 179 216

Her composure in command does not eliminate her fear of losing loved ones. Before Iwagakure's general offensive, she privately admits her anxiety about Nawaki and Natsuki, interrupts Natsuki when he begins speaking ominously about his safety, and seeks refuge in medical work to steady herself. 231

Although protective of Nawaki, she recognizes that affection should not override a realistic assessment of his readiness. She acknowledges that making him Hokage too early would harm both him and Konoha, while identifying Natsuki as a more suitable successor. 116 231

Abilities & Skills

Medical Ninjutsu

Tsunade is regarded as the finest medical ninja in the Ninja World. Her expertise ranges from emergency treatment and surgery to poison extraction, antidote research, and the development of Konoha's medical-ninja infrastructure. 21 83

• Can use the Delicate Illness Extraction Technique to separate poison from a patient's body when the poisoning is not too severe. 83
• Can only partially neutralize deeply embedded poison without a proper antidote; victims of Hanzo's poison may otherwise suffer permanently. 83
• Treated Hatake Sakumo's injured personnel and routinely oversees treatment on the battlefield. 89
• Personally researches antidotes for Hanzo's poison and collaborates with Natsuki and Nonō on pharmaceutical solutions. 83 85 86
• Assesses the Blue Healing Potion as comparable to a D-rank Healing Jutsu. 33
• Supervises Yakushi Nonō's difficult attending-physician surgery and supports her promotion to Medical Jōnin. 145
• Uses Katsuyu's divided bodies to distribute healing across Konoha's forces, working alongside Shizune during Iwagakure's general offensive. 231

Pharmaceutical Research

Tsunade recognizes the military value of healing potions and works with Natsuki to improve and distribute them.

• Drafts a contract granting Natsuki 30% of Blue Healing Potion profits after he teaches Konoha's medical jōnin its production. 34
• Tests Yang Release-infused medicinal essence for the Red Healing Potion, determining that ordinary essence cannot retain enough chakra for mass production. 48
• Considers Hashirama's cells as the necessary living component for the Red Healing Potion, but initially hesitates over the ethical implications. 48 59
• Conceals the true source of the Curse Antidote from Chiyo, allowing Sunagakure to believe Tsunade neutralized its poison herself in a day. 117
• Works with Natsuki to produce the complete Red Healing Potion: Blood of God using Hashirama Cells; the finished potion is at least five times as effective as the Blue Healing Potion and can save lives in critical situations. 61
• Produces the initial hospital batch of Red Healing Potions exclusively with Natsuki because of the medicine's value and the need to keep its creation secret. 63

Chakra-Enhanced Strength

Tsunade uses Strength Enhancement to deliver overwhelming taijutsu strikes.

• Deflected a puppet and its sword with a single punch during the clash with Sunagakure's puppet unit. 90
• Spars with Nawaki to force him to improve his taijutsu, leaving him visibly battered from training. 117
• Trains Yakushi Nonō in combat so that Nonō will not be limited to medical support alone. 88 89
• Begins personally teaching Strength Enhancement to Natsuki after his combat strength has surpassed her own. 156
• Breaks through Pakura's Wind Release with a punch and knocks her unconscious after Natsuki restrains her with White Vine. 113
• Overpowers Kitsuchi through her strength and combat skills while cooperating with Nawaki's Wood Release. 233

Konoha Six Powers and Yin Seal

Tsunade studies Natsuki's developing Konoha Six Powers to supplement her already exceptional taijutsu.

• Learns Shave, Geppo, Finger Pistol, and Iron Body from Natsuki. 116 128 133
• Uses Iron Body to block Hanzo's flying sickle and employs Finger Pistol during the battle against him. 128
• Agrees to study Armament Haki, a more flexible body- and weapon-reinforcement technique developed by Natsuki. 133
• Has cultivated the Yin Seal, which stores chakra in the diamond-shaped mark on her forehead. 169
• Seeks to use the Yin Seal's chakra reserves alongside sealing and medical ninjutsu to create an automatic-healing technique resembling a weaker form of Hashirama's Seal-less Healing. 169
• Identifies slow access to the Yin Seal's stored chakra as a combat limitation. Natsuki proposes releasing its chakra throughout her body and using distributed seal markings to activate healing whenever she is injured. 169
• Later receives a vast quantity of Natsuki's chakra directly into her Yin Seal, supplying the energy needed to support her Six Paths-level empowerment. The seal also preserves youth and maintains the body in peak condition. 262

Wood Release

By the later war against Iwagakure, Tsunade is a Wood Release ninja. She and Nawaki use it to resist Kitsuchi's powerful Earth Release during their joint confrontation. Their possession of Wood Release also reinforces their standing as representatives of Konoha's Senju heritage. 233 235

• Uses Wood Release in coordinated combat with Nawaki. 233
• Receives a bracelet containing a Wood Release Chakra Crystal created by Natsuki to amplify her techniques. 237

Summoning

Tsunade is contracted to Shikkotsu Forest and can summon Katsuyu. She also takes Nonō to the forest, where Nonō successfully becomes a contractor. 134 231

• Summons Katsuyu together with Shizune during the battle against Iwagakure. 231
• Katsuyu splits into numerous smaller slugs that attach to Konoha shinobi, allowing Tsunade and Shizune to heal the force simultaneously. 231

Six Paths Power and Ocular Techniques

Natsuki elevates Tsunade to Six Paths level as part of his effort to prepare defenders against the Ōtsutsuki Clan. Rather than simply transplanting Isshiki's eyes, he extracts their ocular power and transfers it into Tsunade's own eyes, causing them to evolve. Knowledge of Isshiki's ocular techniques enters her mind at the same time. 262

• Possesses the ocular power and ocular techniques transferred from Ōtsutsuki Isshiki. 262
• Receives the necessary supporting chakra through her existing Yin Seal. 262
• Her resulting strength is described as exceptional even among Six Paths-level ninja because of Isshiki's ocular techniques. 262
• Is instructed to spend the following days adapting to her new power. 262

Swordsmanship

Tsunade possesses enough close-combat skill to evaluate Natsuki's swordsmanship personally, blocking his sustained attacks with only a kunai while remaining unstrained. 12

• Teaches Natsuki the Senju-style Sword Technique, identified as Senju Tobirama's swordsmanship. 80
• Recognizes Natsuki's exceptional sword talent and reports it to Hiruzen. 12 13

Leadership & Instruction

Tsunade directs medical training, leads missions, and commands large-scale Konoha forces during the Second Ninja World War.

• Establishes the Medical Ninja Training Class at Konoha Hospital, drawing students from the Ninja Academy and Genin ranks. 11
• Serves as the chief examiner for the class's practical examination. 21
• Takes Yakushi Nonō as a personal student and continues teaching her after Nonō joins Team One. 22 88
• Temporarily fills in for Orochimaru at Team One's graduation assignment and later appoints Natsuki as the team's temporary jōnin leader when command duties keep her at headquarters. 87 100
• Coordinates battle plans with Hatake Sakumo and directs the operation that defeats Sunagakure's puppet master unit. 89 91
• Commands a force of five thousand Konoha shinobi during the later Sunagakure campaign. 100
• Continues overseeing the Medical Ninja Training Class, personally reviewing prospective medical ninja such as Nohara Rin and Shizune. 168 169
• Becomes the jōnin leader responsible for Natsuki, Nawaki, and Nonō after Orochimaru devotes himself to Wood Release experiments. 176
• Teaches Nonō that medical ninja must prioritize their own survival so they can continue saving others, and should not fight on the front lines. 89 101
• Helps Nonō transition into her appointment as deputy director of Konoha Hospital under Orochimaru's administration. 183
• Plans defensive arrangements with Natsuki before Iwagakure's general offensive and identifies the likelihood of a jinchūriki-supported attack. 231
• Serves as one of Natsuki's three Hokage Advisors alongside Nawaki and Minato. 236
• Sets deployment restrictions for Kushina during the Kumogakure campaign: Kushina may fight if enemy jinchūriki enter battle, but must otherwise remain at the base. 242
• Supports the proposed Five Kage Summit while reminding Natsuki to account for opposition from the daimyo. 252

Equipment / Items

• First Hokage's Necklace — Hashirama's relic containing a Chakra Crystal; Tsunade later gives the necklace to Nawaki. 48 87
• Storage Summoning Scrolls — used to carry medical herbs, extraction tools, and training equipment. 17 48
• Kunai — used while testing Natsuki's swordsmanship. 12
• Wood Release Chakra Crystal Bracelet — personally made by Natsuki and presented at the New Year festival. It amplifies Wood Release; Tsunade initially refuses because of its immense value, then accepts. 237
• One-Million-Ryo Bankbook — given to her by Natsuki when she leaves to gamble after declining consideration for Fourth Hokage. 180

Relationships

• Senju Hashirama — Grandfather; Tsunade safeguards and later uses the implications of his legacy, including his cells and Chakra Crystal, for Konoha's medical research. 1 48 59
• Hiruzen Sarutobi — Teacher and Third. Tsunade brings medical-system proposals to him, coordinates village policy with him, and receives major assignments through his office. She supports him during Sakumo's mission-failure crisis, though she later disagrees with the leniency afforded to Danzō. 11 21 86 179 216
• Nawaki — Younger brother. She is protective, trains him harshly, and entrusts him with the First Hokage's Necklace. They later fight Kitsuchi together using Wood Release, and she accepts an advisory post partly to protect him from obstruction by the outgoing advisors. 1 87 117 233 235
• Jiraiya — Teammate under Hiruzen and fellow Legendary Sannin; they share a teasing, competitive dynamic while cooperating in war. They later support Orochimaru's administration and joke about his unexpected public behavior and delegation of work. 22 57 82 182 183
• Orochimaru — Teammate under Hiruzen and fellow Legendary Sannin. They collaborate on medical research and jointly discuss Team One's assignment. Tsunade supports him as Fourth Hokage while teasing his preference for leaving routine work to others. 22 48 86 182 183
• Yakushi Nonō — Medical protégé. Tsunade recognizes her Yang Release talent, grants her a hospital internship, and later teaches her personally. Nonō ultimately becomes a Medical Jōnin and attending physician under Tsunade's supervision. Tsunade also facilitates her Katsuyu contract and helps her assume the hospital's deputy directorship. 10 22 88 134 145 183
• Natsuki — Student and medical-research collaborator whom Tsunade considers her “second” student. She teaches him medicine-making, provides the Spirit Transformation Technique scroll, and offers to teach him any ninjutsu he wants to learn. Their relationship later becomes reciprocal, with Natsuki teaching her the Konoha Six Powers and advising her Yin Seal research. She becomes his Hokage Advisor, and their bond develops into a romantic relationship in which she embraces and kisses him despite lingering misgivings. He later transfers Isshiki's ocular power and supplies chakra to elevate her to Six Paths level. 32 57 61 116 133 169 235 236 258 262
• Uzumaki Kushina — A protected Konoha asset and close associate of Tsunade's household. Tsunade joins the response to Kushina's Kumogakure kidnapping and later arranges her participation in the Chūnin Exams. She supports Kushina's willingness to receive a Hashirama Cells transplant and permits her wartime deployment under specific restrictions. 69 70 93 216 242
• Hatake Sakumo — Respected wartime ally. Tsunade treats his wounded team, plans operations with him, and requests his assistance in handling captured Sunagakure shinobi. When his decision to save teammates causes a mission failure, she defends the importance of protecting comrades. 89 91 115 179
• Chiyo — Rival Sunagakure medical ninja and puppet-master commander. Tsunade's forces capture Chiyo's son and daughter-in-law, then later capture Rasa and Pakura during the war against Sunagakure. 90 91 115
• Nohara Rin — Medical Ninja Training Class student whom Tsunade agrees to observe after Natsuki identifies her potential. Rin later approaches chūnin-level medical proficiency and joins Minato's team. 168 169 197
• Shizune — Dan Katō's orphaned niece and a Medical Ninja Training Class student whose potential Tsunade agrees to monitor. She later becomes Nonō's apprentice and a member of Natsuki's team, then works alongside Tsunade in battlefield healing through Katsuyu. 169 197 231
• Uzumaki Mito — Family elder. Tsunade shares meals and family gatherings with her, then attends her private funeral beside Hashirama in the Senju compound. 61 115 116
• Katsuyu — Shikkotsu Forest summon used for large-scale medical support. Tsunade introduces Nonō to the forest and later works with another contractor, Shizune, to heal Konoha's forces. 134 231
• Shimura Danzō — Political antagonist whose interference with the orphanage Tsunade opposes. She considers his removal from office and the dissolution of Root insufficient punishment for his forbidden human experiments. 21 216
• Ōtsutsuki Isshiki — Source of the ocular power and techniques Natsuki transfers to Tsunade after sealing him. Tsunade learns of his connection to the Divine Tree and the wider Ōtsutsuki threat before accepting the empowerment. 262

Story Role / Major Arcs

Medical Ninja Reform

After recognizing Nonō's extraordinary Yang Release affinity, Tsunade grants her an internship at Konoha Hospital. Natsuki then proposes a dedicated medical-ninja training class and the eventual inclusion of a medical ninja in every squad; Tsunade presents both ideas to Hiruzen, who approves the program. 10 11

Tsunade becomes responsible for the Medical Ninja Training Class at Konoha Hospital. She examines candidates herself, witnesses Nonō's exceptional practical performance, and agrees to become Nonō's team leader before ultimately allowing Orochimaru to lead Team One while retaining Nonō as her personal student. 21 22 86

Years later, Tsunade continues expanding the program by reviewing newly enrolled students and considering Nohara Rin and Shizune as potential future medical ninja. 168 169

Rin and Shizune subsequently approach chūnin-level Medical Ninjutsu before graduation. Shizune becomes Nonō's apprentice, while Rin joins Minato's team with Kakashi and Obito, extending the medical-training system into the next generation of combat squads. 197

Mentoring Natsuki and Supporting the Orphanage

Tsunade evaluates Natsuki's swordsmanship before allowing him to obtain the Sword of the Thunder God. She later agrees to teach him medicine-making and supports his pharmaceutical research. 12 32

When Danzō cuts funding to the Konoha Orphanage, Tsunade intervenes through Hiruzen and pushes back against Danzō's influence. 21

As Natsuki grows stronger, their teacher-student relationship becomes increasingly reciprocal. Tsunade learns the Konoha Six Powers from him, accepts his instruction in Armament Haki, and consults him on adapting the Yin Seal into an automatic-healing technique. 116 133 169

She also supports his eligibility for jōnin promotion, explaining that his command experience, strategy, intelligence gathering, and team leadership satisfy the requirements beyond raw combat strength. She attends his assessment against Hatake Sakumo. 117 118

Healing Potion Development

Tsunade helps verify the Blue Healing Potion, arranges its production at Konoha Hospital, and ensures Natsuki receives a share of its profits. 33 34

She joins Natsuki and Orochimaru in developing the Red Healing Potion, investigating how Yang Release chakra and Hashirama's cells could produce a portable treatment stronger than conventional healing techniques. 47 48 59 61

After the complete Red Healing Potion is created, Tsunade manages its distribution to trusted Konoha personnel while concealing Natsuki's role as its inventor. 61 64

Only Tsunade and Natsuki manufacture the initial hospital batch. Hiruzen later presents the medicine to important jōnin as a village reward and refuses Danzō's demand to identify its creator. 63

Legendary Sannin and the Uzumaki Conflict

After the battle involving the Uzumaki Clan, Tsunade supports Natsuki's suggestion that she, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru be publicly promoted as the Legendary Sannin, diverting attention away from Natsuki's growing fame. 57 59

She later acts swiftly during Kumogakure's kidnapping of Kushina, ordering notifications to Konoha Hospital and the Hokage while pursuing the kidnappers alongside Natsuki. 69 70

Following negotiations with Kirigakure, Tsunade retains Samehada for Nawaki and Kushina, allowing them to decide which of them should use it. 66

Second Ninja World War

Tsunade serves as a battlefield leader and chief medical authority during the war. She oversees supply missions, treats Konoha's poisoned shinobi, and returns to Konoha to research an antidote after realizing Hanzo's poison cannot be fully removed through medical ninjutsu alone. 82 83 85

She leads Team One and Hatake Sakumo's forces against Sunagakure's puppet unit, captures Chiyo's son and daughter-in-law, and later commands Konoha's larger campaign against Sunagakure. 89 91 100 105

During the decisive battle, Tsunade and Natsuki pursue Pakura together. Natsuki protects Tsunade from incoming weapons, disrupts Pakura's attacks, and restrains her, allowing Tsunade to knock her unconscious. Tsunade then orders the securing of prisoners and treatment of wounded Konoha shinobi as Sunagakure's army collapses. 113

Following Konoha's victory, Tsunade participates in receiving Chiyo's delegation for peace negotiations, while remaining personally disinterested in taking part in political bargaining. 115 117

During the later Amegakure campaign, Tsunade reunites with Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Natsuki against Hanzo. She uses Iron Body to intercept Hanzo's flying sickle and fights with Finger Pistol as Konoha's forces secure victory over Amegakure. 128 133

The four are credited with killing Hanzo and ending the war. Tsunade returns to Konoha alongside her fellow Sannin amid a public celebration of their victory. 132 133

Postwar Medical Leadership

After the war, Tsunade supports Nonō's advancement from her assistant to a Medical Jōnin and attending physician at Konoha Hospital. 145

While Orochimaru focuses on Wood Release experimentation, Tsunade resumes direct responsibility as the jōnin leader of Natsuki, Nawaki, and Nonō. 176

When Orochimaru becomes Fourth Hokage and appoints Nonō deputy director of Konoha Hospital, Tsunade takes responsibility for helping her transition into the role. 183

Fourth Hokage Succession and Danzō's Fall

Tsunade participates in the leadership meeting over Sakumo's failed mission, defending his decision to save his teammates against the insistence that missions must always take priority. Hiruzen includes her and Minato in the delegation negotiating with the daimyo over Sakumo's punishment. 179

When nominations for Fourth Hokage begin, Tsunade declines consideration despite her qualifications and popularity. Orochimaru wins the election, and Tsunade supports his administration while joking with Jiraiya about his uncharacteristically lengthy Will of Fire speech and his efforts to delegate routine work. 180 182 183

After Danzō's forbidden Hashirama Cells experiments are exposed, Tsunade objects to the leniency of merely stripping him of office and dissolving Root. In the same period, she leaves the choice of a Hashirama Cells transplant recipient to Orochimaru; Kushina accepts the procedure after Nawaki recommends her. 216

Iwagakure Campaign

Tsunade joins the later campaign against Iwagakure and helps Natsuki prepare for a general offensive likely to involve a jinchūriki. Her concern for Natsuki and Nawaki becomes increasingly personal, culminating in a private conversation by the river about fear, responsibility, and future Hokage succession. 224 231

When Iwagakure attacks with more than four thousand ninja, Tsunade and Shizune summon Katsuyu and distribute healing across Konoha's forces. Natsuki removes Roshi from the battlefield through a Spatial Gate, leaving the conventional armies to fight without the Four-Tails' intervention. 231

Tsunade and Nawaki confront Kitsuchi together. Their Wood Release holds off his Earth Release, and Tsunade overpowers him in close combat. She is relieved when Natsuki returns alive and reports Roshi's death. Kitsuchi's capture and Natsuki's intervention secure Konoha's decisive victory. 233

Hokage Advisor and Romantic Development

After Natsuki's election as Fifth Hokage, he asks Tsunade to become an advisor. He emphasizes her experience, her ability to protect Nawaki and Minato from the outgoing advisors' obstruction, and their personal bond. She agrees only on the condition that her service last no longer than three years. 235

Natsuki formally replaces Homura and Koharu with Tsunade, Nawaki, and Minato at his first jōnin meeting. Her appointment faces no challenge because her strength and standing make her fully qualified for the position. 236

At the following New Year festival, Natsuki presents Tsunade with a bracelet containing a Wood Release Chakra Crystal he made himself. She initially refuses the costly gift but accepts after his insistence, responding warmly to the gesture. 237

Their closeness subsequently becomes explicitly romantic. Tsunade reciprocates Natsuki's affection, embracing and kissing him despite her internal reservations. 258

Kumogakure Campaign and International Peace

Tsunade supports Kushina's deployment to the Kumogakure front but limits her participation to situations in which the enemy jinchūriki enter battle. She also discusses the military situation and Kirigakure's new Mizukage with Natsuki. 242

During Natsuki's confrontation with Kumogakure's elite forces, Tsunade and Nawaki watch him kill the Fourth Raikage and defeat the Eight-Tails. Their confidence in his strength allows them to remain calm during the enemy's escalating attacks, and his victory evokes comparisons with Hashirama. 249

After Kumogakure's defeat, Tsunade expresses hope that further wars can be avoided. She supports Natsuki's Five Kage Summit while warning him to consider the daimyo's likely response to the proposed new order. 251 252

When Natsuki establishes a Ninja World Police Force to protect trade routes and suppress bandits and rogue ninja, Tsunade sees him accomplishing what Hashirama could not. 259

Six Paths Empowerment

After sealing Isshiki, Natsuki explains the Ōtsutsuki Clan's connection to chakra and the Divine Tree to Tsunade. She is alarmed by the continuing threat to the Ninja World and asks how it can be addressed. Natsuki answers by offering her Isshiki's ocular power and techniques. 262

Tsunade initially refuses because she believes Natsuki needs the power more. Once he reveals that he already possesses equivalent ocular abilities, she allows the transfer. Isshiki's ocular power evolves her eyes, and Natsuki supplies vast amounts of chakra through her Yin Seal, making her a Six Paths-level ninja. 262

The transformation gives Tsunade a clearer understanding of Isshiki's strength and of how extraordinary Natsuki's victory over him was. Natsuki instructs her to spend the next few days adapting to her new abilities. 262

Trivia

• Tsunade secretly asks Natsuki to teach her how to cook tempura and insists that the lessons remain between them. 40
• She gives Natsuki an S-rank scroll for the Spirit Transformation Technique. 61
• She agrees to learn Natsuki's developing Konoha Six Powers in exchange for helping him study Lightning Release, beginning with Shave. 116
• She is skeptical of Jiraiya's faith in the Child of Prophecy and considers relying on prophecy an impractical approach to achieving peace. 144
• She regards Geppo as especially valuable and considers its potential use in creating an airborne force, while recognizing the difficulty of teaching advanced taijutsu broadly. 116
• Nawaki teases her about her losing betting record when she backs Minato in his spar against Natsuki. 154
• She states that she prefers drinking and invites Natsuki to a tavern selling fine liquor from Sunagakure. 255
• Her existing Yin Seal allows Natsuki to empower her without creating a separate tailed-beast-like chakra seal. 262
• The final chapter is titled “Tsunade Was Pregnant.” 269

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