Chapter 171 closes out the clash with Orochimaru as he retreats defeated, Tsunade pays the price of her healing in lost youth, and the new Hokage plants her faith in Naruto's future.
Main Characters (5)
Summary
Orochimaru crashes to the earth, and a humiliated Manda vanishes with a vow to end him at their next meeting. Reuniting with Kabuto, Orochimaru warns Tsunade that even without her healing his ruined arms, he has another route back to using his techniques. As he speaks, Tsunade and Jiraiya glimpse his face peeling away to expose a different person beneath. He and Kabuto then slip off, with Jiraiya too badly hurt to give chase and Tsunade drained of chakra, her youthful looks fading away in the process.
The group carries Naruto back to Tanzaku Quarters to recuperate. When he stirs, he bluntly tells Tsunade she will make an awful Hokage, prompting her to challenge him to a fight in which he is once again thoroughly outmatched. Instead of finishing him off, she plants a kiss on his forehead. As they travel back toward Konoha, Tsunade holds firm to the belief that Naruto will one day grow into a magnificent leader.
Key Events
Orochimaru is knocked down and Manda departs vowing revenge. Orochimaru reveals an alternate way to regain his techniques and flees with Kabuto, his true face exposed. Tsunade loses her youthful appearance after exhausting her chakra, and back at Tanzaku Quarters she bests Naruto but responds with a forehead kiss, confident he will become a great Hokage.
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Notes
The chapter belongs to the Search for Tsunade arc and was collected in volume 19. It first ran in issue 27 of Weekly Shonen Jump for 2003, dated June 16, 2003.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which girl kissed Naruto?
In "The Successor" (chapter 171), Tsunade defeats Naruto in a sparring match at Tanzaku Quarters and then kisses him on the forehead instead of finishing the fight, confident that he will grow into a great Hokage.
What happens to Orochimaru at the end of this chapter?
Orochimaru is defeated and forced to retreat. Manda departs vowing revenge, and Orochimaru tells Tsunade he has another way to regain use of his ruined arms before fleeing with Kabuto, his true face briefly exposed beneath a mask.
Why does Tsunade lose her youthful appearance in this chapter?
Tsunade's youthful appearance fades because she exhausts her chakra using her healing techniques during the fight with Orochimaru.
What does Naruto say to Tsunade when he wakes up at Tanzaku Quarters?
When Naruto wakes at Tanzaku Quarters, he bluntly tells Tsunade she would make a terrible Hokage, prompting her to challenge him to a fight that he loses badly.
What arc does "The Successor" belong to and when was it released?
"The Successor" is chapter 171 of the manga, part of the Search for Tsunade arc, collected in volume 19. It first appeared in Weekly Shonen Jump issue 27 of 2003, dated June 16, 2003.
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
All rights belong to their respective owners.
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:
- Movie pages: theatrical posters and key visuals, credited to Studio Pierrot and Toho.
- Game pages: official box art for the Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm games, credited to Bandai Namco.
- Manga chapter pages: Jump Comics volume covers, credited to Shueisha and Masashi Kishimoto.
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