Shizune is a supporting character in the anime and manga series Naruto and its sequel Naruto Shippuden. She is a jounin-level kunoichi (female ninja) of Konohagakure (Hidden Leaf Village) and the loyal attendant and apprentice of Tsunade, the Fifth Hokage. She is also the niece of Dan Katou, Tsunade’s deceased lover and a renowned shinobi of Konoha.
Contents
All about Shizune
[schemas]- Birthdate: November 18
- Sex: Female
- Age: Part I: 28/Part II: 31
- Height: Part I: 168 cm
- Weight: Part I: 49.2 kg
- Blood type: A
- Classification: Medical-nin
- Affiliation: Konohagakure/Allied Shinobi Forces
Shizune’s Background
Shizune was born into a family of shinobi, as the daughter of Dan’s brother. She grew up admiring her uncle and his relationship with Tsunade, who was like an aunt to her.
After Dan’s death during the Second Shinobi World War, Tsunade left Konoha in grief and Shizune decided to accompany her as her attendant and student. The two of them wandered the world for many years, with Shizune often worrying about Tsunade’s gambling habits and emotional state.
During their travels, Shizune learned medical ninjutsu and poison techniques from Tsunade, becoming a skilled and capable kunoichi. She also developed a strong bond with Tsunade, seeing her as her mentor and protector.
She was one of the few people who could calm Tsunade down when she was angry or upset, and also one of the few people who Tsunade trusted with absolute certainty.
Shizune’s Personality
Shizune is a level-headed, practical, and rational thinker. She is often the voice of reason and caution for Tsunade, who tends to act on impulse and emotion.
She is also very responsible and diligent, taking care of Tsunade’s paperwork and administrative duties as the Hokage’s assistant. She is not easily flustered or intimidated, and can handle stressful situations with composure and efficiency.
Shizune is also very kind, caring, and loyal to her friends and allies. She is especially devoted to Tsunade, whom she respects and admires greatly. She is always ready to support and protect Tsunade, even at the cost of her own life.
She is also fond of Tonton, Tsunade’s pet pig, whom she often looks after. She has a good relationship with Naruto Uzumaki, Sakura Haruno, and other members of the Konoha 11, who see her as a reliable and helpful senior.
Shizune is not without flaws, however. She can be overprotective and overbearing at times, especially when it comes to Tsunade’s health and safety.
She can also be stubborn and inflexible, refusing to change her mind or admit her mistakes. She can also get easily annoyed or frustrated by Tsunade’s gambling or drinking habits, or by Naruto’s recklessness or disrespect. She sometimes loses her temper and scolds them harshly, but she always means well and apologizes later.
Shizune’s Abilities
Shizune is a talented and experienced kunoichi, who specializes in medical ninjutsu and poison techniques. She is also proficient in taijutsu (hand-to-hand combat) and ninjutsu (ninja techniques).
Medical Ninjutsu
Shizune is a skilled medical-nin, who learned from Tsunade, one of the greatest medical-nin in history. She can heal various injuries and illnesses, perform complex surgeries, and create antidotes for poisons.
She can also use the Mystical Palm Technique, which allows her to heal wounds by sending chakra through her hands. She can also use the Healing Resuscitation Regeneration Technique, which allows her to revive a person who is on the verge of death by transferring her own chakra and life force to them.
Shizune is also capable of leading and managing other medical-nin, as shown when she was appointed as the captain of the Logistical Support and Medical Division of the Allied Shinobi Forces during the Fourth Shinobi World War.
She was responsible for overseeing the medical treatment and supply of the allied shinobi, as well as coordinating with other divisions and headquarters.
Poison Techniques
Shizune is an expert in poison techniques, which she uses to incapacitate or kill her enemies. She can create various types of poisons, such as gas, liquid, or solid, and deliver them through different methods, such as needles, senbon, or mist.
She can also use the Poison Mist technique, which allows her to exhale a cloud of poisonous gas from her mouth, which can affect anyone who inhales it. She can also use the Prepared Needle Shot technique, which allows her to shoot multiple poisoned needles from her mouth at high speed and accuracy.
Shizune is also knowledgeable about the effects and antidotes of different poisons, as shown when she was able to identify and counter the poison used by Kabuto Yakushi, a former medical-nin and spy of Orochimaru.
She was also able to perform an autopsy on the Animal Path of Pain, a puppet controlled by Nagato, and discover the secrets of his Rinnegan and Six Paths of Pain technique.
Taijutsu
Shizune is proficient in taijutsu, which she uses to engage in close-range combat with her enemies. She is agile and swift, able to dodge and counter various attacks.
She is also strong and durable, able to withstand powerful blows and endure pain. She can also use a tantō (short sword) as a weapon, which she can infuse with poison for extra damage.
Ninjutsu
Shizune is well-versed in ninjutsu, which she uses to perform various ninja techniques. She can use the basic techniques, such as the Shadow Clone Technique, the Transformation Technique, and the Body Replacement Technique.
She can also use the Four-Corner Sealing Barrier technique, which allows her to create a barrier around a target by placing four tags on the corners of a square area.
She can also use the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique, which allows her to create hundreds of clones of herself, each with their own chakra and abilities.
Role in the Story
Shizune first appeared in the series when she and Tsunade were approached by Jiraiya and Naruto, who asked Tsunade to become the Fifth Hokage after the death of the Third Hokage.
Shizune was initially against the idea, fearing that Tsunade would be killed or manipulated by Orochimaru, who also offered her a deal to revive Dan and Nawaki, Tsunade’s deceased brother.
She tried to convince Tsunade to reject both offers, but Tsunade refused to listen. Shizune then decided to follow Tsunade’s decision, even if it meant betraying Konoha.
However, after witnessing Naruto’s determination and will to protect his friends and village, Shizune changed her mind and helped him stop Tsunade from healing Orochimaru’s arms.
She also supported Tsunade’s decision to accept the position of Hokage and return to Konoha with them. She then became Tsunade’s assistant and right-hand woman, helping her with the administration and management of the village.
Shizune played a minor role in the Sasuke Retrieval Arc, where she helped heal the wounded Konoha shinobi who returned from the failed mission to bring back Sasuke Uchiha, who defected to join Orochimaru. She also played a minor role in the filler arcs, where she participated in various missions and events with Tsunade and other Konoha shinobi.
Shizune played a more prominent role in the Shippuden series, where she continued to assist Tsunade as the Hokage and faced new threats and challenges. She was involved in the following arcs:
- Kazekage Rescue Arc: Shizune helped Tsunade deal with the aftermath of Gaara’s kidnapping by the Akatsuki, a rogue ninja organization that sought to capture the tailed beasts. She also helped heal Kankuro, Gaara’s brother, who was poisoned by Sasori, one of the Akatsuki members. She also helped send reinforcements to aid Team Kakashi and Team Guy, who went to rescue Gaara.
- Tenchi Bridge Reconnaissance Mission Arc: Shizune helped Tsunade assign Team Kakashi and Team Yamato, who went to meet with Sasori’s spy, who turned out to be Kabuto, Orochimaru’s right-hand man. She also helped heal Sakura, who was injured by Sasori’s poison during her fight with him.
- Akatsuki Suppression Mission Arc: Shizune helped Tsunade deal with the news of Asuma Sarutobi’s death at the hands of Hidan, another Akatsuki member. She also helped send reinforcements to aid Team 10, who went to avenge Asuma and fight Hidan and Kakuzu, his partner.
- Itachi Pursuit Mission Arc: Shizune helped Tsunade deal with the news of Jiraiya’s death at the hands of Pain, the leader of the Akatsuki. She also helped perform an autopsy on the Animal Path, one of the six bodies controlled by Pain, and discovered the secrets of his Rinnegan and Six Paths of Pain technique.
- Pain’s Assault Arc: Shizune helped Tsunade prepare for the invasion of Konoha by Pain and his forces. She also helped defend the village and heal the wounded. She was captured by the Human Path, who extracted her soul and killed her in order to learn the location of Naruto, who was away from the village. She was later revived by Nagato, who used his Rinne Rebirth technique to sacrifice his life and restore the lives of those he killed in Konoha.
Shizune’s Appearance
Shizune is a fair-skinned woman of average height and slender build with onyx eyes and jet-black hair; her hair is straight and shoulder-length with bangs that cover her ears and frame her face.
Normally, Shizune is seen in a long bluish-black kimono with white trimmings, held closed by a white obi, and open-toed sandals with low heels.
Shizune has also been seen wearing the standard Konoha shinobi outfit complete with flak jacket, when deployed on missions which has distinct, extra-long sleeves. She, however, doesn’t wear a forehead protector. Shizune also has the tendency to pin her hair up when working; a trait also shared by Sakura.
During the Fourth Shinobi World War, she donned her standard shinobi attire, albeit with shorter sleeves this time. She also wore the forehead protector of the Allied Shinobi Forces and a band around her right arm signifying her position.
Years after the war, Shizune had gained vaguely noticeable creases around her eyes. She wears a black, one-sleeved kimono held closed with a with a sash. Beneath this, she wears mesh armour, which is partially exposed on her sleeveless left-hand-side.
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