This post contains spoilers for Naruto.
Summary
Narutohas one of the most diverse character casts in the anime world. Kishimoto made sure that there was something for everyone. Jiraiya and Tsunade are among the most famous characters in Naruto.
Both were introduced in Naruto and played pivotal roles in the story. Jiraiyaand Tsunade have known each othersince childhood, but their relationship has always been somewhat confusing to fans.
How Did Jiraiya And Tsunade Meet?
Jiraiya and Tsunade met each other while they were in the Academy. After passing out, they were put on the same team as Orochimaru. Hiruzen Sarutobi was assigned as the team’s leader, and it was his job to ensure that the trio was getting the right training.
From the moment Jiraiya laid eyes on Tsunade, he was infatuated with her. He chased after her for years, but it was to no avail. Due to Jiraiya’s humorous nature, he was always getting in trouble. He was slower to comprehend things than his teammates, but he made up for it with hard work.
Tsunade and Jiraiya had contrasting personalities. Jiraiya was fully committed to helping out the Hidden Leaf in whatever way he could. In fact, he is the ninja with the most missions completed. On the other hand, Tsunade’s priorities were different. After the deaths of Dan and Nawaki, she left the village and never looked back. Jiraiya even warned her that he would kill her if she did something that could threaten the peace of the Hidden Leaf. Despite their contrasting personalities, the three of them got along well, and they grew up to be outstanding ninjas.
At the peak of their powers, Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaruwere declared the Legendary Sannin, and it was nearly impossible for any group to beat them. While Jiraiya loved Tsunade, the latter did not reciprocate his feelings. She was in love with Dan Kato and wanted to spend her life with him. Unfortunately, Dan Kato was killed in the war, and this incident caused Tsunade a lot of trauma.
Did Tsunade Ever Love Jiraiya?
Many fans believe that Tsunadestarted loving Jiraiya at one point. In their last interaction, Tsunade told Jiraiya to come back alive, and she implied losing him would be painful. Jiraiya knew that she would cry if he died, but not as much as when she lost Dan. He ended the conversation by saying that he needed to go.
Rejection makes a man stronger. —Jiraiya
This conversation took place before Jiraiya headed off to the Hidden Rain Village, and it only fueled the speculation further. However, most fans seem to have misinterpreted the conversation. It wasn’t a sign that Tsunade loved Jiraiya, but that she cared about him. The perfect example is Sakura and Naruto’s relationship. Naruto had feelings for Sakura, but she was interested in Sasuke. Naruto accepted her decision, but he didn’t stop caring about him, and neither did Sakura. She did her best to help Naruto, and she would become worried if something happened to him. The same is true for Tsunade and Jiraiya. The former didn’t want to lose her closest friend, which is why she was worried.
When Tsunade was trapped within the Infinite Tsukuyomi, she dreamed of a happy life with Dan Kato, further implying that she was never over him and she kept loving him.
Jiraiya And Tsunade Were Good Friends And Even Better Ninjas
Jiraiya and Tsunade Were Incredible Fighters
Aside from being close friends, Tsunade and Jiraiya were also excellent fighters. As previously stated, they were part of the Legendary Sannin.Jiraiya was a Sage Mode user,meaning he could use natural energy to enhance the power of his attacks.
Tsunade revolutionized the way ninja teams operated. She demonstrated the importance of having a medical ninja on the team, after which the entire ninja world shuffled how they organized teams.Tsunade was also the first personto obtain the Strength of a Hundred Seal, and with its power, she was able to increase her attacking might.
