Hashirama Senju was one of the most powerful shinobi to ever live in the Naruto universe. He was the First Hokage and founder of Konohagakure (The Village Hidden in the Leaves). Hashirama married Mito Uzumaki and had one child together, a daughter named Tsunade. This makes Tsunade the granddaughter of Hashirama Senju.
Tsunade would go on to become one of the Legendary Sannin alongside Orochimaru and Jiraiya. She later succeeded Hiruzen Sarutobi as the Fifth Hokage of Konohagakure. As the granddaughter of the First Hokage, Tsunade inherited immense power and responsibilities. She is known for her tremendous strength, medical ninjutsu skills, and leadership of the village.
Early Life of Hashirama Senju
Hashirama Senju was born during the Warring States Period as the eldest son of Butsuma Senju, the leader of the Senju clan. As a young boy, Hashirama lived in a time of constant bloodshed and chaos as the Senju clan was locked in a bitter rivalry with the Uchiha clan. Despite this, Hashirama strived for peace and tried to connect with others.
He met a young Madara Uchiha by a river and the two quickly became friends, bonding over their shared dream of an end to the fighting. However, when their fathers found out that the boys had been meeting, they forbade any further contact. Hashirama was devastated that his friendship with Madara was over.
As he grew older, Hashirama was viewed as the most gifted member of the Senju clan and became its new leader. His skills and powers were so great that he could defeat entire armies single-handedly. He possessed incredibly strong chakra and the rare Wood Release kekkei genkai. This allowed him to suppress the power of Tailed Beasts and create massive forests instantaneously.
Under Hashirama’s leadership, the Senju clan grew stronger and eventually approached the Uchiha clan with an offer of truce. The two warring clans formed an alliance, ending decades of fighting.
Founding of Konohagakure
After making peace with the Uchiha, Hashirama and Madara together founded Konohagakure village. Hashirama used his Wood Release abilities to create much of the village’s infrastructure. Madara named Hashirama the First Hokage, the leader of Konohagakure, while Hashirama wanted Madara to be the Second Hokage.
However, there were still tensions between the Senju and Uchiha clans. Madara feared that the Uchiha would eventually be eliminated and chose to abandon the village. He challenged Hashirama to a legendary battle at the place that would become known as the Valley of the End.
Hashirama fought Madara reluctantly, not wanting to kill his former friend. At the end of the intense battle, Hashirama emerged victorious, seemingly killing Madara. But this came at a heavy cost, as Madara had extracted the Nine-Tails fox spirit from inside Hashirama’s wife Mito during the fight.
Despite this setback, Hashirama’s dream of peace came to fruition as shinobi clans stopped fighting and came together to populate Konohagakure. His leadership and ideals as Hokage laid the foundation for the village system and the era of reduced conflict between shinobi.
Marriage to Mito Uzumaki
To secure a strong alliance between Konoha and the Uzumaki clan, Hashirama married Mito Uzumaki. As an Uzumaki, Mito possessed incredibly strong life force and powerful sealing jutsu. This made her well-suited to becoming the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki after Hashirama reobtained the Tailed Beast.
When Hashirama fought Madara at the Valley of the End, Madara was able to gain control of the Nine-Tails by corroding the seal on Mito. Hashirama defeated Madara and then resealed the Nine-Tails within Mito, saving her life. Her skill with fuinjutsu allowed her to contain the Nine-Tails safely once more.
Mito and Hashirama had one child together, a daughter named Tsunade. Tsunade would inherit not only her grandfather’s tremendous strength and talents, but also her grandmother’s sealing abilities and longevity from being an Uzumaki.
Mito Uzumaki’s Jinchuriki Status
As the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, Mito enabled Konoha to have the power of a Tailed Beast at their disposal. She set a precedent for Jinchuriki in the village that would continue with Kushina Uzumaki and Naruto Uzumaki after her.
Mito’s fuinjutsu mastery allowed her to restrain and control the Nine-Tails’ power without it corroding her seal or influencing her mind. Keeping the Nine-Tails contained required constant effort and chakra from Mito, but she bore this responsibility to protect the village.
Towards the end of her life, Mito knew the Nine-Tails had to be resealed. She taught Kushina Uzumaki, another member of the Uzumaki clan, the sealing techniques necessary to become the new Jinchuriki. Mito then sealed the Nine-Tails within Kushina before passing away.
Tsunade’s Early Life and Teammates
As the granddaughter of Hashirama Senju and Mito Uzumaki, much was expected of Tsunade from an early age. Tsunade did inherit her grandfather’s incredible physical strength and resilience, as well as her grandmother’s skill at medical ninjutsu. However, the losses of her grandfather, granduncle, and later her brother Nawaki took a toll on Tsunade’s psyche.
Despite this, Tsunade would go on to become one of the Sannin, along with Jiraiya and Orochimaru, under the tutelage of Hiruzen Sarutobi. The three Sannin were known as the greatest shinobi of their generation. Tsunade in particular developed tremendous skills as a medical-nin and displayed monstrous taijutsu strength, capable of easily crushing rocks with a finger.
Jiraiya and Orochimaru would become Tsunade’s teammates and lifelong comrades. Jiraiya had a crush on Tsunade that she constantly rejected, although the two still cared deeply for one another as lifelong friends. Meanwhile, Orochimaru secretly envied Tsunade’s natural talents and relationship with Jiraiya.
Jiraiya the Toad Sage
As one of the Legendary Sannin, Jiraiya became a powerful ninja in his own right. He had an affinity for toad magic and learned senjutsu arts, gaining the title of Toad Sage. Jiraiya was never able to match Tsunade’s strength or Orochimaru’s genius, but he complemented them on their team.
Jiraiya notably created the Rasengan technique, which he taught to his student Minato Namikaze. He also wrote popular fiction novels that brought him wealth and fame. While eccentric and goofy, Jiraiya proved loyal to Konoha and dedicated himself to discovering the secrets of the Akatsuki later in life.
Orochimaru the Snake Sannin
The precocious Orochimaru’s talents marked him as a once-in-a-generation prodigy. However, his interest in sinister jutsu and lack of ethics led him to abandon Konoha to pursue forbidden techniques. He mastered snake magic and sought immortality to learn all the world’s secrets.
Orochimaru’s obsession with power and unethical human experimentation made him the most sinister of the Sannin. He frequently worked to undermine and attack Konoha, causing pain for Tsunade and Jiraiya. However, later in life Orochimaru did aid the village against common threats on occasion.
Tsunade’s Medical Ninjutsu
While Hashirama created the basis for medical ninjutsu techniques, Tsunade refined the practice and took it to new heights. She pioneered refinements like concentrating chakra into one’s fist before releasing it upon impact. This allowed her to rapidly heal wounds by stimulating cell division.
Tsunade also devised the Strength of a Hundred Seal, a fuinjutsu technique which builds up chakra reserves for years. Upon releasing the seal, Tsunade gains immense strength and regenerative power. However, it also rapidly ages her.
Tsunade combined her precise chakra control and extraordinary strength to perform feats like rupturing internal organs with a finger. She could also heal nearly any wound, making her invaluable as a combat medic.
As the greatest medical kunoichi, Tsunade revolutionized healthcare in the shinobi world. She instituted thorough training programs for medical-nin and increased their value in shinobi teams. Tsunade also used her skills to cure afflictions thought to be incurable. Her advancements saved countless lives.
Limits of Medical Ninjutsu
Despite her phenomenal capabilities, even Tsunade’s medical ninjutsu had limits. Techniques like the Strength of a Hundred Seal took years to build up chakra for and carried risks. Tsunade also cannot regenerate from complete organ failure or decapitation.
In dire or prolonged battles, Tsunade’s Seal would become exhausted. Extensive healing of others also rapidly depleted her chakra reserves. However, her Uzumaki lineage granted Tsunade incredibly large chakra reserves compared to most ninja.
Tsunade also struggled to cope with loss, frequently unable to heal loved ones like her brother Nawaki or boyfriend Dan from fatal damage. Her inability to protect them contributed to her hemophobia and withdrawal from shinobi life for many years. However, when Tsunade returned as Hokage, she strove to minimize casualties.
Becoming the Fifth Hokage
After the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi perished battling Orochimaru, the village needed a new Hokage. Jiraiya declined the role and instead recommended his estranged teammate Tsunade succeed their teacher as the Fifth Hokage.
The Konoha Council sent an envoy including Jiraiya and Naruto Uzumaki to recruit Tsunade. After initial reluctance and testing Naruto’s resilience, Tsunade accepted the position to honor all she had lost while resolving to protect the village’s hopes for the future.
As Hokage, Tsunade used her talents to guide the village into a new era. She made significant reforms to the medical system and revitalized the village after the damages from Orochimaru’s attack. Tsunade also helped navigate the village through the dangers of the Akatsuki and Orochimaru.
Relationships with Previous Hokage
Tsunade was initially reluctant to take the mantle of Hokage, as she felt it was a sucker’s job. The losses of her grandfather Hashirama, granduncle Tobirama, teacher Hiruzen, brother Nawaki, and boyfriend Dan heavily impacted her. However, Jiraiya convinced her to honor their legacy by leading Konoha.
As Hokage herself, Tsunade came to better understand the Will of Fire guiding the village. She passed on these ideals to Naruto Uzumaki, preparing him to potentially succeed her. In the Fourth Shinobi World War, Tsunade also cooperated with the reanimated previous Hokage to face the crisis.
Fighting Orochimaru
One of Tsunade’s greatest trials as Hokage was contending with the threat posed by her former teammate Orochimaru. After assassinating Third Hokage Hiruzen, Orochimaru’s sights were set on destroying Konoha next. Tsunade faced the difficult task of stopping someone she once cared for deeply.
When Orochimaru attacked Konoha, Tsunade refused to let him destroy the village and confronted him directly. The two Sannin engaged in intense combat using their trademark techniques and prodigious skills. In the end, Tsunade prevailed by outwitting Orochimaru.
However, Orochimaru managed to escape death and continued undermining Konoha from the shadows. Tsunade did her best to protect the village alongside elders like Jiraiya and ANBU forces. She also commissioned research on possible cures for Orochimaru’s techniques in hopes he might be redeemed one day.
Clash of the Sannin
When Orochimaru assaulted Konoha, Tsunade went to engage him with her apprentice Shizune. The two sides clashed ferociously, with Tsunade and Orochimaru countering each other’s techniques due to familiarity from years as teammates.
However, when Kabuto severed Tsunade’s muscles, she overcame her hemophobia to heal herself and continue fighting. Tsunade went on to defeat Orochimaru’s swordsman vassal using her great strength. Her resolve inspired Naruto and Jiraiya to defeat Kabuto and Orochimaru’s summoned snakes respectively.
Ultimately, Tsunade manipulated Orochimaru’s bloodlust against him. When it seemed she was willing to sacrifice herself, Orochimaru exposed an opening which she exploited to destroy his body. This allowed Tsunade to win despite Orochimaru’s greater versatility and experience.
The Fourth Shinobi World War
Near the end of her reign as Hokage, Tsunade led Konoha through the cataclysmic Fourth Shinobi World War. She coordinated war efforts against the Akatsuki leader Tobi and the resurrected Madara Uchiha. Tsunade also took to the battlefield herself frequently, using her power to tilt the scales for the Allied Shinobi Forces.
Tsunade helped save many lives during the war, exhausting herself by neutralizing the life-threatening effects of Madara’s Infinite Tsukuyomi technique on shinobi forces. She coordinated the Allied Shinobi medics in this huge effort while entrusting Naruto and the other youth to defeat their overlord enemies.
Allied Shinobi Forces
To contend with the Akatsuki forces, the Five Great Shinobi Nations united militarily for the first time in history. Tsunade was instrumental in the formation of this Allied Shinobi Forces alliance. She also directed wartime resources and strategies as one of the key commanding Kage.
Tsunade appointed Shizune as the coordinator for all Allied Forces medics. Their efforts kept casualty rates much lower than they otherwise would have been against the White Zetsu Army and reanimated shinobi legions. Tsunade’s guidance was essential for this historic cooperative undertaking.
Passing the Torch
Near the end of the Fourth Shinobi World War, Tsunade used up the last of her chakra reserves to protect the Alliance forces. Realizing she could no longer continue as Hokage, Tsunade entrusted the Will of Fire and hope for the future to Naruto Uzumaki and the Konoha 11th generation shinobi.
Once the war concluded, Tsunade officially stepped down as Hokage. But she was instrumental in lobbying for Kakashi Hatake to replace her as the Sixth Hokage. Following Kakashi’s brief tenure, Tsunade witnessed Naruto’s lifelong dream finally fulfilled as he became the Seventh Hokage.
Years later, when Naruto’s son Boruto prepared to take the Chunin Exams with Sasuke’s daughter Sarada, Tsunade proctored a preliminary test. She saw the Will of Fire alive in the next generation and felt assured the future was in good hands before retiring completely.
Tsunade’s Legacy
While no longer Hokage, Tsunade left an enduring legacy and monumental contributions to Konoha’s prosperity. Her leadership enabled the village to weather two shinobi world wars and become stronger than ever. Tsunade also revolutionized the advancement of medical ninjutsu, saving countless lives.
The village built great trust and reliance upon Tsunade’s steady guidance as Hokage. She carried on the Will of Fire, passing the torch to Naruto’s generation with the certainty that the future was bright for Konoha. Tsunade’s efforts honored the legacy of her forebears like Hashirama while shaping the destiny of the shinobi world.
Conclusion
In summary, Tsunade is the granddaughter of Hashirama Senju, the First Hokage. As his descendent, she inherited tremendous strength, medical talents, and responsibility for protecting Konoha. Tsunade became one of the Legendary Sannin along with Orochimaru and Jiraiya, who were her lifelong teammates and occasional rivals.
After losing loved ones from a young age, Tsunade eventually returned to take up the mantle of Fifth Hokage at Jiraiya’s urging. Her skills and leadership proved pivotal in rebuilding Konoha, advancing medical ninjutsu, and navigating the dangers of foes like Orochimaru. In the Fourth Shinobi World War, Tsunade also united the collective strength of allied ninja forces to contend with the Akatsuki threat.
Though no longer Hokage, Tsunade’s contributions and values endure in Konoha thanks to her stalwart spirit carrying on the Will of Fire. By shaping the destiny of generations to come, Tsunade honored the legacy of her forebears like Hashirama while solidifying her own eminent place in history.