Tsuru-Sen'nin, also known as Crane Hermit, is the elder brother of Tao Pai Pai and the master of Tenshinhan and Chiaotzu. In an early English dub from the 1980s by Harmony Gold, he was referred to as Lord Wu Zu, while in Funimation's dub, he is called Master Shen.
He was once close comrades with Kame-Sen'nin and trained under the same martial arts school. However, their defeat at the hands of the evil forces led by Piccolo Daimaō and the subsequent death of their mentor Mutaito, who sealed the demon away, left a deep scar. Over time, bitterness and resentment festered within him, leading him to abandon his former master's teachings. He established his own school where his hatred for the world began to influence his students.
In the 22nd Tenka'ichi Budōkai, Tsuru-Sen'nin entered his two star pupils, Tenshinhan and Chiaotzu, to compete against Kame-Sen'nin's students, Goku, Kuririn, and Yamcha.
After Tenshinhan and Chiaotzu left him, Tsuru-Sen'nin had his brother Tao Pai Pai rebuilt as a cyborg following his near-death experience caused by Goku. Tao was then sent to participate in the 23rd Tenka'ichi Budōkai to exact revenge on both Tenshinhan and Goku. However, Tenshinhan easily knocked out Tao with a single punch and warned Tsuru-Sen'nin that he never wanted to see either of them again.
