People are really not giving her enough credit.
Summary:
- Some Naruto fans consider Tsunade to be the worst Hokage.
- She’s a great leader, which is an important thing.
- Her healing abilities also matter a lot.
If you remember different Hokage throughout the Naruto series, there’s something you instantly think about for all of them.
Hasihirama Senju, the First Hokage, was one of the founders of the village and battled Madara Uchiha. His brother, Tobirama, established the police force. The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, was introduced early in the series and influenced the story a lot. The Fourth saved the village from the Nine-Tailed Fox.
Compared to these, many feel like Tsunade didn’t do much while she was the Fifth Hokage. She just was there, and under her rule, many enemies attacked the village. Of course, that wasn’t her fault — but still, some fans believe she wasn’t a worthy Hokage. However, that’s not true at all.
The Hokage Is a Leader — Not Just the Strongest Shinobi
The Hokage title doesn’t necessarily go to the strongest fighter in the village. In fact, it can be argued that Jiraiya was far stronger than Tsunade, and that he should have become the Hokage. He voluntarily declined, though, because he (correctly) understood that he wasn’t a good leader. That doesn’t mean he was a bad person, though — it’s actually the opposite.
The Hokage is, first and foremost, the leader for their people. In addition to strength in combat, they should also possess the necessary qualities, the strength of character that is required to lead others. Tsunade did possess all of these, and she was far more fit for an official position than Jiraiya was.
Why She Was a Good Hokage
Besides, Tsunade’s own achievements are often forgotten. She is considered to be the best healer in the series, and she saved countless lives. In fact, one of the reasons she came back to the village was to save Rock Lee, whose body was heavily damaged after his fight with Gaara.
Later in the series, this skill of hers will become relevant yet again. Tsunade has a contract with Katsuyu, a slug summon which possesses healing qualities. It can also split into multiple parts, healing many people at once — something we see when Pain attacks Konoha.
Tsunade was also arguably the closest to a mother figure for Naruto. She forged friendly relationships with many other shinobi as well — in a sense, she was a perfect successor for the Third Hokage. People often dismiss her because she wasn’t as overpowered as, say, the First or the Fourth, but that doesn’t mean she was a bad Hokage at all.