Tsunade

Biodata

Background / History

Tsunade is the granddaughter of Hashirama Senju and Uzumaki Mito. As an infant, she was kidnapped by Uchiha Shin'yu to draw her grandfathers into battle; Uchiha Kagami later returned her to the Hidden Leaf Village 125 141. She became a direct disciple of Sarutobi Hiruzen 534.

As a young ninja, Tsunade pursued Shin'yu with Jiraiya after blaming herself for Uchiha Nen's predicament. She attacked Shin'yu but could not overcome his defenses 143 146. Years later, she and Jiraiya tried to bring their former teammate Orochimaru back to Konoha. Uchiha Nen stopped the fight before Orochimaru's attack killed them 256 261 263. Afterward, Tsunade apologized to Nen for injustices he had suffered and told him she wanted to become Hokage and change the village 263.

During the Second Shinobi World War, Tsunade led Konoha forces and used her medical expertise to counter the poisons employed by Sunagakure commander Chiyo 294 326. She also repeatedly pressed Konoha's leadership to train more medical ninja and reform squad configurations, but her proposals were rejected 344.

Tsunade's bond with Nen became romantic. She visited the Uchiha base beneath Kannabi Bridge, where Madara gave her his original Konoha forehead protector, and she and Nen shared their first kiss 360 366. They later married and had a son, Uchiha Shisui 534 571.

Tsunade confronted Konoha's leaders over the treatment of Hatake Sakumo, accusing them of letting public opinion destroy his reputation 537 588. During the Third Shinobi World War, she commanded troops on the Land of Rain front and stayed behind to cover a withdrawal 570. She subsequently demanded that Hiruzen resign, arguing that he had betrayed the Will of Fire. Although he promised to step down after the war, Tsunade left Konoha and disavowed her connection to the village 590 591.

Appearance

Tsunade has pale golden hair and eyes and is described as tall 287 570 590.

• Her bangs frame her temples 287.
• She wears a dark combat uniform on the battlefield 278.

Personality

Tsunade is protective of both comrades and civilians. She hesitates to strike villagers controlled by Oya Kensuke, even while they are attacking her, and stays behind during a wartime retreat to protect her troops 334 570. She is also willing to confront Konoha's leadership directly when she believes its decisions have harmed its people 537 590.

Her loyalty to Nen and her duty to Konoha sometimes pull her in different directions. After Nen saves her during Kensuke's attack, she struggles over whether to leave with him or remain to help the village's wounded 338 344.

Abilities & Skills

Monster Strength

Tsunade concentrates chakra into her limbs and releases it with physical force, producing blows capable of shattering rock and ground 256.

• Painful Sky Foot — a descending kick that can break solid bedrock 146.
• Painful Sky Fist — a powerful punch used against Jigen 346.
• Strength of a Hundred — she channels force through chains to break the arms of eight ninja restraining her 571.
• Her strength is less effective against opponents who can consistently evade her or keep their distance 277 346.

Medical Ninjutsu

• Tsunade's medical work counters Chiyo's poisons on the Rain Country battlefield 294 326.
• She works to establish ninja hospitals and expand Konoha's medical corps 538.
• She can heal herself, though wounds inflicted by Jigen's chakra-disrupting black rods resist her medical ninjutsu 347.

Katsuyu Summoning

• Tsunade summons Katsuyu, a giant slug, during her fight alongside Jiraiya against Orochimaru 257.
• Katsuyu's split bodies heal Tsunade and Jiraiya and shield Tsunade from attacks and falls 260 261 262 277.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Madara's original Hidden Leaf forehead protector — given to Tsunade at the Kannabi Bridge base banquet 366.

Relationships

• Hashirama Senju and Uzumaki Mito — grandparents 125 591.
• Nawaki — younger brother 255.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen — teacher and Third Hokage; Tsunade later demands his resignation over Sakumo's death and Konoha's leadership 534 590 591.
• Uchiha Nen — old friend who becomes her husband; he repeatedly intervenes to save her 261 263 366 571.
• Uchiha Shisui — son 534 571.
• Jiraiya — former teammate and frequent battlefield partner; he risks his life to protect her from Orochimaru 256 261 277.
• Orochimaru — former teammate; their attempt to bring him back to Konoha ends in a dangerous fight 256 261 263.
• Uchiha Shin'yu — adversary who kidnapped her as an infant and later defeated her in combat; he subsequently helps rescue her and Nen from Jigen 125 146 347.
• Uchiha Hikari — welcomes Tsunade at the Uchiha base and helps put her at ease 360 366.

Notable Quotes

“Then work hard to become Hokage. Build the Hidden Leaf Village into the place you envision.” — Uchiha Nen to Tsunade 366

“You have completely betrayed the Will of Fire. Rather than continue losing yourself in struggles for power, you should resign now and let someone with greater promise succeed you as Hokage.” 590