Was Tsunade a better mentor to Sakura than Jiraiya was to Naruto × Follow Us Create Notifications New User posted their first comment this is comment text Link Approve Reject & ban Delete Log in Manage your profile Editing Story Queue Video Queue Editing Stats Writer Home SEO Redirection Admin Gaming Wiki Edits Taxonomy Home Edit Site Menu Mapping Dashboard Tag Pages Community Social Feed Queue Feed Center Notification Center Affiliate Home Manage Pages Bottom Tagline Dash Timeless Stories Logout Anime Feature Was Tsunade a better mentor to Sakura than Jiraiya was to Naruto By Casey Mendez Modified 21 Sep 2022 Follow Us Comment Share Jiraiya and Tsunade in Naruto (Image via Pierrot) The Naruto series has always made mentors a crucial part of its storytelling. From the show’s beginning, sensei like Iruka Umino, Kakashi Hatake, Might Guy, Kurenai Yuhi, and others have had a significant impact on the protagonist, however limited their role was. They help guide and shape the ideals of all who are under them. In this article, two such highly influential individuals are considered – Tsunade Senju and Jiraiya. At the end of season 5, they are seen taking each of team 7’s members as their students. But the question is, between Tsunade and Jiraiya, who is the better mentor? Who are Tsunade and Jiraiya in Naruto Tsunade Senju - The Slug Princess Tsunade after activating the Hundred Healings Technique (Image via Pierrot) Tsunade Senju first appeared in Naruto Chapter 139 of the manga and Episode 83 of the anime. She is the granddaughter of the First Hokage Hashirama Senju and Mito Uzumaki, hence acquiring the title “Princess.” Tsunade teamed up with Jiraya and Orochimaru under the leadership of Hiruzen Sarutobi. Later, the trio went on to become Konoha’s Legendary Sannin. Famed as the greatest medical-nin and strongest kunoichi, Tsunade took Sakura Haruno as her pupil. Sakura knew she was far behind her teammates. She wanted to be stronger so she could be of more use in battle. As seen often in the series, Sakura wished to become reliable and not hinder the team with a need to be protected. All this led her to approach Tsunade to become her mentor. Jiraiya - The Perverted Hermit Jiraiya as seen in the Naruto series (Image via Pierrot) Jiraiya was first introduced in Naruto Chapter 90 of the manga and Episode 52 of the anime. He was another one of the Legendary Sannin, but not much is known of his heritage. Alongside Tsunade and Orochimaru, he was placed under Hiruzen. Although not very promising initially, we saw Jiraya acquire abilities and techniques that allowed him to stand among the strongest. During his training at Mount Myoboku, the Great Toad Sage predicted that Jiraiya would encounter the Child of Prophecy. Eventually, he traveled the world searching for knowledge that might aid his friends and the world entirely. He came across the Child of Prophecy in Konoha, who he almost immediately took under his wing and began training. The Teachings Emily @pprincessharunoTsunade's and Sakura's relationship warms my heart42484Tsunade's and Sakura's relationship warms my heart https://t.co/mJ12mRwr6b Before accepting Sakura, Tsunade warned her of the hard and intense training ahead of her. Determined not to be left behind, she agreed and thus began her development. We saw snippets in the anime of the harsh training regime that Tsunade put her through. Moving into Shippuden, Sakura was an entirely different person. Physically, she acquired brute strength and possessed an almost unrivaled knowledge of medical ninjutsu. Under Tsuande’s mentorship, Sakura performed a number of notable feats - defeating the Kazekage’s killer, saving a dying Kankuro, keeping Naruto alive after the Kyuubi extraction, etc. Tsunade instilled in Sakura useful and practical techniques that came in handy at clutch moments. Additionally, Tsunade’s teachings transformed Sakura as a person. Before Shippuden, Sakura always needed protection in battle rather than being helpful. She could not hold her own and, in some ways, was a liability to her team. But later on, Sakura Haruno matures into a completely different individual – one who is a lot more confident, efficient, and brave. Naruto@NarutoVibeNaruto and Jiraiya have the best student/sensei bond in all of Anime3842411Naruto and Jiraiya have the best student/sensei bond in all of Anime https://t.co/4jlGNljzCJ After mistaking the Child of Prophecy twice before, Jiraiya was almost certain when it came to Naruto. The Toad Sage taught his student chakra control and eventually the famed Rasengan. Through chakra control, he was able to further the shadow clone Jutsu. The Summoning Jutsu, used as a means to control the Nine-Tails’ chakra, was another such teaching. Also, Naruto could break through genjutsu (as seen in his encounter with Itachi Uchiha). As the duo ventured far and wide, Jiraiya imparted teachings about the ninja world and the cycle of hatred and death. He gave Naruto a sense of acceptance and belonging. He opened Naruto’s heart which helped him understand Sasuke in the battle at the Final Valley. Jiraiya passed on his belief that one day the world would truly come to understand each other. Jiraiya’s mentorship was more spiritual and emotional. It focused on values like understanding, empathy, and acceptance. These teachings helped develop his pupil both philosophically and spiritually. In addition, it was these feelings that fueled the ‘Talk No Jutsu.’ Through Jiraiya and later his death, Naruto learned that belief, forgiveness, and understanding prevailed over physical strength. In Conclusion Tsunade shoulders a tired Sakura while Jiraiya share a meal with his pupil (Image via Sportskeeda) In terms of physical development, Tsunade’s mentorship is superior to Jiraya’s. She was able to totally reshape Sakura. She equipped her with practical knowledge, including the Hundred Healings Technique. Comparatively, Jiraiya refined his mentee’s understanding and control of chakra. He even taught him how to control the Kyuubi’s chakra in him. However, the strength Jiraiya awakened in Naruto is by far the greatest. As mentioned earlier, it is belief, empathy, forgiveness, understanding, and a strong will that stands tall. This very strength allowed Naruto to soar as high as he did and become the true Child of Prophecy. So, while Tsunade wins the battle, Jiraiya triumphs in the war. For comprehensive coverage of Narutoverse, check out SK Naruto Wiki Poll : 0 votes Quick Links More from Sportskeeda Edited by Shreya Das × Feedback Thank You! Be the first one to comment Follow Us Share Show More Comments GIF Comment in moderation 0 0 Reply x Edit Delete Delete the comment? No thanks Delete GIF Cancel Update GIF Cancel Reply ❮ ❯ GIF Comment in moderation 0 0 Reply x Edit Delete Delete the comment? No thanks Delete GIF Cancel Update GIF Cancel Reply ❮ ❯ Be the first one to comment on this story More from Sportskeeda Fetching more content... 1 Manage your profile Editing Story Queue Video Queue Editing Stats Writer Home SEO Redirection Admin Gaming Wiki Edits Taxonomy Home Edit Site Menu Mapping Dashboard Tag Pages Community Social Feed Queue Feed Center Notification Center Affiliate Home Manage Pages Bottom Tagline Dash Timeless Stories Logout No Results Found Get the free App now Manage notifications Popular ‍ Sports (30+) CricketCricket HomeCricket NewsScheduleIND vs SAAUS vs WIENG vs PAKLegends LeagueECC T10County ChampionshipBukhatir LeagueNZ T20 Tri-SeriesWomen's Asia Cup 2022Japan Cricket LeagueWI-W vs NZ-WECT10T20 World Cup FootballFootball HomeNewslettersSK Experts ScheduleEPLNations LeagueLa LigaLigue 1Champions LeagueFIFA WCMLS Bundesliga Serie A WWEWWE HomeNewslettersRumor RoundupRAWSmackDownResultsRosterChampionsWWE Extreme Rules 2022PPV ScheduleAEW EsportsEsports HomeMinecraftOverwatch 2RobloxGenshin ImpactFortniteGTAStreamersFree FirePUBGValorantBGMIPop CultureAnimeGaming TechWiki Guides TennisTennis HomeTennis calendarChina OpenTennis Results TodayATP RankingsWTA RankingsRoger FedererRafael NadalNovak DjokovicSerena Williams MMAMMA HomeUFC NewsONE ChampionshipUFC Fight NightScheduleRankingsResultsUFC Fights TonightONE Championship ResultsONE Championship ScheduleONE Championship Rankings KabaddiKabaddi HomePKL 2022PKL SchedulePKL Points TableKabaddi Rules WikiWiki HomeMinecraft WikiNaruto WikiTikTok WikiYoutube WikiGTA WikiTerraria WikiOne Piece Wiki MoreSportsBasketballIndian FootballNFLMinecraftFormula 1NascarPop CultureCollege FootballHockeyGolfAthleticsBadmintonGymnasticsWrestlingSwimmingTennisShootingBoxingArcheryWinter SportsRobloxSkateboardingKho KhoLifestyle LINKS About Us Write For Us Policies Editorial Standards Journalism Awards Fact Check Affiliate Program Careers CSR Privacy Policy Contact Us Edition: English हिन्दी