Naruto: How Tsunade Senju Quietly Became The Best Hokage

In the world of the Naruto anime, the title of Hokage is one of the most prestigious and powerful positions anyone can achieve. As the leader and strongest protector of the most powerful ninja village, the Hokage wields significant influence both at home and around the world. This role should be reserved for the most skilled and intelligent ninja, and many consider Lady Tsunade to be the wisest and most capable Hokage of all time.

Tsunade, one of the legendary Sannin, always possessed the qualities to become Hokage, and ultimately proved to be a more effective leader in that role than her colleague Jiraiya. While Jiraiya was considered a candidate after the Third Hokage’s passing, Tsunade became the Fifth, and that was a fortunate outcome. Though she wasn’t necessarily the most powerful Hokage ever, Tsunade’s character, life experiences, and special skills made her the ideal leader to guide the Hidden Leaf Village through difficult periods and help it flourish.

Tsunade Revolutionized Ninja Warfare With Medical Jutsu

This is More Than Just Another Weapon

Image via studio Pierrot.

I’ve always been fascinated by the Kage – the top-level ninjas. They’re not just jonin with a title, you know? They have to bring something new to the table – a unique jutsu, a refined technique, something that really sets them apart. And honestly, it’s usually something incredibly powerful and destructive! It makes sense, though, considering how things are in the shinobi world. For generations, strength and being dominant have been everything. Even the good guys, like the Hokage – think about Minato creating the Rasengan or Tobirama with the Shadow Clone Jutsu – they’re inventing these amazing techniques, but ultimately, it’s still just adding to the cycle of fighting and violence. It’s impressive, sure, but it feels like more of the same, doesn’t it?

Unlike some leaders who focused on strength, Tsunade prioritized healing and saving lives. This was important for a few reasons, most notably because she really brought medical techniques to the forefront of ninja battles. While healing jutsu had existed for a long time, it wasn’t widely used or valued until Tsunade became Hokage. In a world like Naruto, where fights are common, being able to heal injuries or poisons is just as crucial as having powerful attacks – it lets ninjas recover and keep fighting. Plus, advanced medical techniques, like Creation Rebirth, can boost a ninja’s abilities in ways that regular jutsu can’t.

Tsunade didn’t just contribute to the usual cycle of developing new weapons like other leaders. She actively worked against it, focusing on healing and medical techniques – a revolutionary approach that saved countless lives and demonstrated her forward-thinking leadership. She was the first to champion a comprehensive medical system for all shinobi, fundamentally changing how battles were fought and strengthening the Leaf Village. This unique contribution made her time as Hokage truly memorable. Beyond her strength, this also revealed Tsunade’s caring nature, balancing her tough exterior and reflecting her personal journey of overcoming immense loss, like the deaths of Dan and Nawaki.

Tsunade Was the First Hokage to Seriously Support Naruto Uzumaki

Tsunade Was Like Naruto’s Godmother

Image via studio Pierrot.

The Hokage are primarily leaders and protectors of the Hidden Leaf Village, but some strive to do much more. Leaders like Hashirama Senju were known for their vision and ability to bring people together, while Minato Namikaze excelled at leading his team, which included Kakashi, Rin, and Obito. When it comes to being parents, the role of Hokage doesn’t require it, and some haven’t been very involved. For example, Minato died before he could raise his son, and Hiruzen simply gave Naruto a place to live without providing much further support. Because of this, Tsunade ultimately stepped in to be a true parental figure to Naruto while serving as Hokage.

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The Naruto anime is a story about overcoming personal struggles and exciting ninja battles. Beyond simply being a strong leader, the character of Tsunade needed more depth. She served as a parental figure to Naruto, much like Jiraiya, and genuinely cared for him, showing it repeatedly. Other leaders often saw those with powerful creatures sealed inside them, like Naruto and Gaara, as weapons or threats to be managed – for example, Gaara’s father treated him as a tool, and Danzo briefly saw Naruto only as a weapon when he aimed to become Hokage.

Tsunade stood out from other leaders because she genuinely cared for Naruto like a friend and almost a mother figure, not just as the Hokage. Fans of Naruto value more than just powerful techniques or cool lines; they connect with characters on a personal level. Tsunade excelled at this, becoming a beloved character as a strong Sannin who always supported Naruto. She treated him as an individual deserving of care, even giving him a treasured necklace from Hashirama Senju. She also demonstrated unwavering trust in him when the Pain attacked the Hidden Leaf Village.

Tsunade Saw Her Village Through Its Roughest Trials

Tsunade Did More Than Fight to Support Her Village

A strong leader can guide their team through difficult times, and the world of Naruto is full of challenges. Past Hokage demonstrated this by facing great danger and making hard choices during crises. For example, Hashirama battled Madara Uchiha, and Minato sacrificed himself to stop Kurama during Obito Uchiha’s attack on the Leaf Village. However, Tsunade faced even broader and more complex situations.

Tsunade proved herself a powerful leader like the Hokages before her, actively fighting in battles – most notably alongside the other Kage against Madara during the Fourth Great Shinobi War in Naruto Shippuden. She faced incredibly strong opponents like Pain and Madara and always persevered. However, her strength wasn’t just physical; it came from her unwavering determination, ability to work with others, and hopeful spirit. When facing Pain, Tsunade didn’t only withstand his attacks, but also the immense emotional pain he inflicted on her village and its people.

Although Tsunade was deeply saddened by the destruction, she remained strong and confidently told Pain that Naruto would come to avenge the village – and he did. Beyond that, Tsunade achieved an unprecedented level of collaboration with other leaders, joining forces with the other Kage to confront Madara. This alliance, born from a broken world, represented a powerful unity against a common enemy. While past Hokage hadn’t had the opportunity to forge such a team, Tsunade not only did it, but she did so effectively. This made her a beacon of hope, demonstrating the potential for future cooperation and recovery – a true sign of exceptional leadership.

2026-02-20 05:07