Tsunade's refusal to heal Orochimaru turns a tense negotiation into open combat. As the legendary medic trades blows with Kabuto, his mastery of the human body counters her every strike, and only the sudden arrival of old allies keeps the fight from ending in her defeat.
Summary
As a fellow medical-nin, Kabuto senses the murderous intent laced through Tsunade's healing and realizes she never meant to aid his master. When Orochimaru demands to know why she would turn on him, Tsunade admits she would give anything to see her lost loved ones once more, yet she cannot bring herself to restore the man who would only tear down Konoha. That village is the one her brother and the man she loved both died protecting, and Naruto's words have renewed her resolve to guard it.
Key Events
Because Tsunade alone can mend Orochimaru's ruined body, he and Kabuto resolve to seize her by force, and Kabuto squares off against her. Though she far outmatches him in battle experience, he holds his ground and even slips in several crippling hits. Tsunade eventually turns the tide, but her Body Pathway Derangement is undone by Kabuto's precise knowledge of anatomy, leaving her exposed.
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Notes
Just as Kabuto rushes in to finish Tsunade off, Naruto, Jiraiya, and her assistant Shizune arrive to turn the fight in her favor. The episode adapts chapters 163 through 165 of the manga and belongs to the Search for Tsunade arc of the original series.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Tsunade refuse to heal Orochimaru?
Tsunade refuses to heal Orochimaru because doing so would only help him tear down Konoha, the village her brother and the man she loved both died protecting. Naruto's words have renewed her resolve to protect the village rather than aid Orochimaru.
How does Kabuto manage to hold his own against Tsunade?
In "Breakdown! The Deal is Off!" Kabuto holds his ground against Tsunade, despite her superior combat experience, because his precise knowledge of the human body as a fellow medical nin lets him counter her techniques. He even undoes her Body Pathway Derangement using his understanding of anatomy, leaving her exposed.
Who arrives to save Tsunade from Kabuto?
Naruto, Jiraiya, and Tsunade's assistant Shizune arrive just as Kabuto rushes in to finish her off in "Breakdown! The Deal is Off!," turning the fight back in Tsunade's favor.
What arc and manga chapters does Breakdown! The Deal is Off! adapt?
"Breakdown! The Deal is Off!" is episode 93 of Naruto, belonging to the Search for Tsunade arc, and it adapts chapters 163 through 165 of the manga.
Why does Orochimaru need Tsunade to heal him?
Orochimaru approaches Tsunade because she alone can mend his ruined body, prompting him and Kabuto to try to seize her by force in "Breakdown! The Deal is Off!"
Sources & Information
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View on FandomThis content is original writing by Daddy Jim Headquarters based on the Naruto anime series, manga, and official materials. Episode and chapter references are cited where applicable.
Rights holders
- Created byMasashi Kishimoto
- Published byShueisha
- Animated byStudio Pierrot
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Character and scene imagery on this site is original artwork by Daddy Jim Headquarters, not screenshots or licensed imagery. Official cover art is used on three types of pages for editorial commentary:
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