Tsunade

Biodata

Background / History

Taking in Nobuhiko

At Konoha Hospital, the dying Kihara Yusuke entrusted his son, Nobuhiko, to Tsunade. She accepted, reassured Nobuhiko that his newly awakened Sharingan would not change her commitment, and asked him to call her Sister Tsunade. Nobuhiko subsequently moved into the old Senju residence 1.

Tsunade explained his ancestry: his paternal grandfather had fought alongside her grandfathers before concealing his clan name and integrating into Konoha, while his mother descended from an Uchiha woman who married outside the clan. She accepted Nobuhiko’s connection to both clans without treating his Sharingan as grounds for suspicion 1.

Already grieving Nawaki, Tsunade saw a resemblance between him and Nobuhiko. Within several days of living together, she had come to regard Nobuhiko as a younger brother 2 10.

Training and Wartime Protection

Tsunade agreed to help Nobuhiko grow stronger, although the ongoing Second Shinobi World War prevented her from teaching him continuously. After testing him in combat, she retrieved the Second Hokage’s Water Release research notes and ninjutsu scrolls, explained their principles, and prepared a detailed independent-training plan 2 4 5 6 7.

Her preparations also addressed threats inside Konoha. She warned Nobuhiko that some villagers would not welcome another powerful Senju descendant and prioritized techniques that could help him survive an attack. When these concerns brought back memories of her family, she broke down in tears and accepted his comfort 7.

During a lull in the war, Tsunade personally accompanied a medical-supply handover mission back to Konoha so she could check on him. After testing his progress, she persuaded Hiruzen Sarutobi to supervise his training and explicitly guarantee his protection from Danzo 14 15 16 17.

Looking After Kushina

Before returning to the battlefield, Tsunade helped bring Nobuhiko and Kushina Uzumaki together as friends and training partners. She and Hiruzen used their spar to demonstrate the risks Kushina would face outside the village; afterward, Tsunade criticized weaknesses in both children’s performances 20 21 22 23.

Tsunade also joined their effort to approach the Nine-Tails and congratulated Kushina on making her first progress with him. Despite irritation at the pair’s behavior, she entrusted Nobuhiko to Kushina’s care when she departed again 26 27 29.

Dan Katō’s Death

After Dan Katō was killed in action, Tsunade returned to Konoha with his body. Nobuhiko and Kushina met her at the Hokage Building, finding her emotionally withdrawn and almost unresponsive 42 43.

Tsunade eventually ordered Nobuhiko to move home and stop visiting. She explained that Nawaki and Dan had both died on the battlefield after receiving gifts and forehead kisses from her; she feared that showing Nobuhiko the same affection would lead to his death. He rejected that connection, reminded her of her promise to share her troubles, and persuaded her not to send him away 43 44.

She then gave him her grandfather’s necklace and asked him to promise that he would remain alive. The following morning, she disclosed that seeing blood could leave her frightened, weak, and trembling 45.

Leaving Konoha

Exhausted by war and bereavement, Tsunade decided to travel and clear her head. She agreed to take Nobuhiko, arranged additional training scrolls for him, and postponed retaliation over the attack he had suffered while she was away 45.

Before their departure, she concealed Nobuhiko from outside observation when his Sharingan evolved, then left the decision about telling Kushina to him. After completing her farewells, she departed Konoha with Nobuhiko early one morning 46 47 48.

Their travels brought them to Ishikawa Town, where Tsunade visited a casino. Unknown to her, Nobuhiko sent a transformed Shadow Clone to bet against her. Her repeated losses enriched him, and she returned to the inn furious at the unidentified gambler who had opposed every wager 49 50.

Appearance

• Hair: Blonde, described as golden during Nobuhiko’s account of comforting her 1 44.
• Features: Delicate facial features, defined contours, fair skin, and long, slender legs 2.
• Clothing shown: A thigh-length white nightshirt at home, high-heeled sandals, and combat gear when departing for the front 2 7 10.

Personality

Tsunade is protective, practical, and willing to confront authority for someone in her care. She questions Hiruzen directly about threats to Nobuhiko and refuses to leave satisfied until he specifically includes Danzo in his promise of protection 17.

Her affection often appears through teasing and blunt discipline. She enjoys flustering Nobuhiko, sees through his exaggerated declarations of loyalty, and insists that both he and Kushina seriously examine their combat mistakes. Although she becomes angry at his inappropriate behavior, she also worries that publicly exposing it would hurt him 18 19 21 23 28.

Bereavement makes her vulnerable to guilt and withdrawal. She is embarrassed after crying in Nobuhiko’s arms, initially struggles to confide in him, and later tries to separate from him because she fears her affection brings misfortune 7 8 43 44.

She enjoys gambling and defensively insists she is skilled at it, despite a reputation for losing. Even the cost of a barbecue meal prompts her to think about the gambling opportunities the money could have funded 4 49 50.

Abilities & Skills

Physical Combat

Tsunade demonstrates powerful close-range attacks during her training matches with Nobuhiko 4 15.

• Smashes his substituted rock into rubble with one punch 4.
• Kicks him flying during a later assessment 15.
• Breaks apart an incoming Water Release jet with her fist 15.

Water Release

Tsunade combines practical Water Release techniques with detailed knowledge of their underlying principles 5 6 15 16.

• Water Dragon Bullet: Creates a dragon from existing water to intercept and destroy Nobuhiko’s dragon 15.
• Water Fang Bullet: Fires more than a dozen compressed, spinning masses of water against his Water Formation Wall 15 16.
• Technical instruction: Explains fluidity, chakra control, hand-seal proficiency, and water compression 5 6.
• Teaching resources: Supplies Nobuhiko with progressively more advanced Water Release scrolls, including three A-rank and two S-rank techniques before their departure 47.

Defensive and Movement Techniques

• Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall: Raises a three-meter earthen barrier to block Wind Release: Breakthrough 4.
• Body Flicker Technique: Quickly moves onto the wall to evade an incoming water attack 4.
• Substitution Technique: Escapes Nobuhiko’s surprise Gale Palm attack 4.
• Concealment safeguards: Uses hand seals to prevent outside observation while Nobuhiko’s Sharingan evolves; the technique is not named 46.

Teaching and Assessment

• Tests students through sparring, then questions them about weaknesses and lessons learned 4 15 23.
• Prepares training schedules and explains precautions before leaving students to practice independently 5 7 28.
• Recognizes her own limitations: she states that she lacks Wind Release chakra and directs Nobuhiko to Hiruzen for specialist guidance 28.

Hemophobia

• Develops a fear of blood following Dan’s death 43 45.
• Describes possible symptoms as fear, weakness, and uncontrollable trembling upon seeing blood 45.
• No recovery is documented before she leaves Konoha 45 48.

Equipment / Items

• First Hokage’s necklace: An heirloom from her grandfather, previously given to Nawaki and Dan. She transfers it to Nobuhiko after he challenges her belief that receiving her affection will doom him 44 45.
• Second Hokage’s research notes and ninjutsu scrolls: Retrieves these materials for Nobuhiko’s Water Release studies 5 6.
• Advanced training scrolls: Obtains additional Wind Release and Water Release material so Nobuhiko can continue improving during her absences and their travels 28 45 47.

Relationships

• Kihara Nobuhiko — Ward, student, and surrogate younger brother. He provides companionship and emotional support; his private romantic ambitions are distinct from her stated view of him as a younger brother 10 18 19 43 44.
• Kihara Yusuke — Entrusts Nobuhiko to her on his deathbed. Tsunade honors the promise by housing, protecting, and teaching his son 1 5.
• Nawaki — Deceased younger brother. His death remains a source of grief and self-blame 2 7 44.
• Dan Katō — Lover killed in action. His death precedes her emotional collapse, hemophobia, and decision to leave Konoha 42 43 45.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi — Teacher and Third Hokage. She relies on his expertise and authority but demands explicit assurances because she distrusts his handling of Danzo 17 28.
• Kushina Uzumaki — Treats her as a younger sister, supervises her training, and worries about her safety outside the village 16 22 23 28.
• Hashirama Senju — Grandfather and First Hokage; the original owner of her necklace 18 45.
• Tobirama Senju — Great-uncle whose research becomes an important resource for her instruction of Nobuhiko 5 47.
• Jiraiya — Teammate whom she has known since the Ninja Academy. His persistent lechery influences her expectations about correcting Nobuhiko’s behavior 9 17 19.
• Danzo Shimura — Threat to Nobuhiko’s safety. Tsunade secures Hiruzen’s promise to restrain him and later leaves open the possibility of revenge 17 45.

Notable Quotes

“Don't think too much about it. You're still a kid. Your big sister will protect you.” 7

“Nobuhiko, promise me you'll stay alive and well!” 45

“All right. I won't leave you behind!” 45