Naruto finally reveals the real story behind Tsunade and Jiraiya’s relationship

Naruto as a whole is not simply an action-filled run-of-the-mill anime. It’s a story rich with emotion, dramatic characters, and poignant connections. Of these compelling pairings, the most balked-at yet beloved relationship is between Jiraiya & Tsunade, two of the Legendary Sannin. As cute as it would have been for fans to imagine these two together in real life, the reality is far more bittersweet.Here’s everything you need to know about their complicated relationship—what drew them together, what tore them apart, and why it still matters.Jiraiya and Tsunade first encountered each other as children training at the Hidden Leaf Village’s Ninja Academy. Along with Orochimaru, they were put on the same team together under Hiruzen Sarutobi, who would go on to become the Third Hokage. Ultimately the three grew into the legendary trio referred to as the Sannin, famed for their power in the Second Great Ninja War.Since the introduction of these three characters, Jiraiya has been madly in love with Tsunade. On set, he frequently flirted with her and courted her from a distance. Tsunade, thankfully, was never interested in him romantically. Jiraiya was jaunty and playful, a jokester even in battle, Tsunade was more sober and determined, modeled in part, no doubt, by loss of her loved ones.Tsunade’s heart was won by Dan Kato, another Leaf shinobi who had the dream of making the village stronger. Sadly, Dan perished in combat and the loss had a profound impact on Tsunade’s life. She departed from the Hidden Leaf, not able to deal with her loss and no longer able to function as a ninja.Jiraiya was with her through it all, and proved to be a great friend to her, her affection for Dan was always entrenched in her heart. She loved Jiraiya—but not the way he wanted her to.Amongship, fans speculated upon Tsunade’s gradual romantic awakening in Naruto: As one observer noted, “One of the best things about her character was her undeniable chemistry with Jiraiya. Shippuden, particularly right up until his departure to battle Pain in the Hidden Rain Village. In one tear-jerking scene, Tsunade asked him to return alive, and Jiraiya responded that she would shed tears if he was killed but not as many as she shed over Dan.To a young man from New York about to be deported to Canada, that line was like an atomic bomb. Self-awareness is what made Jiraiya’s choice—and the story’s bitter sweetness—land with such a punch, because it demonstrated not only how well Jiraiya knew Tsunade’s heart, but how he accepted that heart’s devotion rested elsewhere. It took the courage to continue loving her without expecting anything in return, realizing from the outset that she may never be able to return his love.Later, when Tsunade was ensnared in the Infinite Tsukuyomi, she envisioned a life of untroubled domestic bliss with Dan, not Jiraiya — finally cementing where her heart really lay.So while a romance never blossomed, their companionship was based on the foundations of respect, shared war, and loyalty. As one of the Legendary Sannin, they were ranked among the top ninja in history:Jiraiya had perfected the dangerous transformation known as Sage Mode, harnessing natural energy to boost his strength, speed and jutsu to godlike levels. He trained Naruto and acted as the Hidden Leaf’s essential spy servant.When Tsunade was first introduced, she had already caused a tremendous paradigm shift in the ninja world with her medical ninjutsu. She was the only one to fully master the Strength of a Hundred Seal, which enabled her to instantly regenerate any injury and overwhelm her enemies in combat.Collectively, they helped better the future of the village and created lasting legacies that would inspire the next generation.You can stream Naruto and Naruto Shippuden right now on:Jiraiya and Tsunade’s connection wasn’t a romantic affair—it was an anomaly. It wasn’t just about loyalty, shared pain, and tacit understanding. Even after all hope was lost, Jiraiya never stopped loving Tsunade, even knowing that she could never love him in that way. Tsunade, as much as she mourned his loss, loved him fiercely as a valued friend and trusted comrade.Their relationship serves as a counterpoint to this notion for viewers, illustrating that not all deep, compounding relationships are charged with romance—that deeper, more important connections can be made through friendship, sacrifice, and respect.