Does Tsunade Die in Naruto?

Does Tsunade die in Naruto? No. However, when Madara Uchiha left the battlefield where he had fought the Five Kage, Tsunade lay there with her body split in two. Katsuyu approached, but Tsunade did not ask whether she could survive. Instead, she ordered the slug to bring the other four Kage to her. With almost no chakra left and barely enough strength to speak, she still tried to treat the people lying beside her.

That battle did not become Tsunade’s final appearance. Orochimaru, Karin and Suigetsu reached the battlefield before her remaining strength disappeared completely.

She Tried to Save the Other Kage While Her Body Was Severed

When the Five Kage joined forces against Madara Uchiha, Tsunade released the seal on her forehead and activated the Strength of a Hundred Technique. A Susanoo blade pierced her body, yet she refused to retreat. Tsunade used the short distance between them to continue attacking Madara with her fists.

The Strength of a Hundred Technique continually repairs injuries during battle, but it depends on the chakra stored inside the seal. As the fight continued, Tsunade’s remaining chakra steadily decreased. Madara then broke free from the Reanimation Jutsu and stayed in the living world, where he continued attacking the exhausted Five Kage.

When the story returned to the battlefield, Gaara, Onoki, Mei Terumi and the Fourth Raikage lay nearby. Madara’s attack had separated Tsunade’s upper and lower body, while part of a large tree had fallen close to her. Despite the damage, she remained conscious.

Katsuyu followed Tsunade’s instructions and moved the other four Kage together. Tsunade continued using her remaining strength on them until speaking became almost impossible. Even after losing the ability to move, her first action was to keep the others alive.

Tsunade Could No Longer Heal Herself When Orochimaru Arrived

The first people to find the Five Kage did not belong to Konoha’s medical team. Orochimaru arrived with Karin and Suigetsu.

Katsuyu remained cautious around Orochimaru. Tsunade had previously refused to heal his arms, and the two had fought directly during the battle between the Legendary Sannin. This time, however, Orochimaru did not attack her. He immediately instructed Karin and Suigetsu to assist with the treatment.

Karin helped restore Tsunade’s chakra, while Suigetsu assisted Katsuyu in bringing the separated parts of her body back together. After regaining enough strength, Tsunade could cooperate with Katsuyu again and continue treating the other Kage.

This rescue also shows that the Strength of a Hundred Technique does not provide unlimited revival. When the chakra stored inside the seal runs out, the technique can no longer repair new injuries. Tsunade remained alive until help arrived because of her powerful life force, medical ninjutsu and the Katsuyu she had summoned before losing the ability to move.

Pain’s Attack Had Already Pushed Tsunade to Her Limit

Madara was not the first enemy to leave Tsunade close to death.

When the Six Paths of Pain entered Konoha, injuries appeared across the village at the same time. Tsunade summoned Katsuyu and told the slug to divide into smaller bodies that could attach themselves to villagers and shinobi. Through that connection, she sent chakra to people in different areas.

The Deva Path later released a massive Shinra Tensei and destroyed much of Konoha. Tsunade continued giving her strength to Katsuyu so the slug could protect people trapped beneath the ruins. By the time Naruto returned from Mount Myoboku, she had no strength left to join the battle.

After using nearly all her chakra, Tsunade lost the seal on her forehead and could no longer maintain her youthful appearance. She collapsed and remained unconscious until shortly before the Fourth Great Ninja War. The official Naruto retrospective on Tsunade follows her life as the Fifth Hokage, her role in protecting Konoha and her later participation in the war.

Tsunade Was Still in Hospital When Danzo Took the Hokage Position

Konoha needed to rebuild after Pain’s attack, while the Five Kage Summit was also approaching. Tsunade had not regained consciousness, but the village could not continue without someone making decisions.

Danzo used the opportunity to obtain the authority of Hokage and represented Konoha in the Land of Iron. His appearance in the position led some people to believe that Tsunade had left the story. In reality, she remained alive in hospital but could not manage the village. The official Naruto account of the Five Kage Summit period explains that Danzo took the position while Tsunade remained in a coma.

Tsunade regained consciousness shortly after Danzo’s death. By then, Obito had declared war on the Five Great Nations. Rather than remaining in bed to recover, she returned to the meeting table and took part in planning the Allied Shinobi Forces’ response.

She Returned to the Main Battlefield After Her Treatment

After Orochimaru’s group completed the emergency treatment, Tsunade continued healing the other four Kage. Once they could move again, all five returned to the battlefield, where the Allied Shinobi Forces continued fighting.

On arriving there, Tsunade saw that Sakura Haruno had completed the seal on her forehead. Sakura could now summon Katsuyu independently and take responsibility for treating a large number of injured shinobi. Master and student sent chakra to different parts of the battlefield while the alliance continued fighting the Ten-Tails.

After the war, Kakashi Hatake became the Sixth Hokage. Tsunade remained alive when she handed over the position, and she continued to appear in the later timeline as one of the Legendary Sannin and a former Hokage.

Her story did not end in the hospital after Pain’s attack, and it did not end on the battlefield where Madara split her body in two.

Fans who appreciate Tsunade’s appearance as the Fifth Hokage can view the LORIBEAR Tsunade Figure. Her forehead seal, long blonde hair, green haori and the markings created by the Strength of a Hundred Technique are closely connected to the battles that pushed her to the edge of death. More characters from the series can be found in the Naruto Figures collection.

FAQ

Does Tsunade die in Naruto?

No. Tsunade falls into a coma after Pain’s attack and later suffers devastating injuries during the Fourth Great Ninja War, but she remains alive after the war ends.

Did Tsunade die when Madara cut her in half?

No. She remained conscious after Madara split her body and summoned Katsuyu to help the other Kage. Orochimaru, Karin and Suigetsu later arrived and assisted with her treatment.

Why did Danzo replace Tsunade?

Tsunade remained unconscious after Pain’s attack and could not manage Konoha. Danzo therefore obtained the authority of Hokage and represented the village at the Five Kage Summit.

How did Tsunade survive Madara’s attack?

Her life force and the Strength of a Hundred Technique kept her alive until help arrived. Karin restored her chakra, Suigetsu helped bring the two parts of her body together, and Katsuyu continued treating her injuries.