To be honest, the practice of chakra nature transformation is really difficult. Kakashi once said in the original series that it takes years for even talented individuals to complete this training. After all, not everyone is like Naruto Uzumaki, who could accelerate his training by using the Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu.
Even though Asakura had strong chakra control, it would still take at least a few years to master chakra nature transformation.
There's no need to rush this kind of training. Strength takes time to accumulate. If you try to gain power overnight, you'll definitely lose something in return.
Looking at the leaf in his hand, Asakura Chinen couldn't help but feel a headache.
In the past, thanks to his excellent chakra control, Asakura was able to learn various jutsu quickly. Even the Mystical Palm Technique, which most medical-nin find difficult, was something he could master rapidly. But now, he found himself stuck for a long time trying to change the nature of his chakra.
For now, Asakura Chinen could only be patient and train little by little.
"I didn't expect you to still be alive!"
Just as Chinen was focused on his training, a carefree voice rang out. Turning his head, he saw Tsunade.
Tsunade didn't hide her footsteps, but Asakura had already sensed someone approaching. Since the visitor wasn't concealing their presence, he assumed they meant no harm and didn't take any precautions.
"Sister Tsunade, why are you here?" Chinen greeted warmly.
"Why can't I be here?" Tsunade glared at him, slightly annoyed.
Hearing this, Chinen could only roll his eyes and said, "You're one of the Legendary Sannin, of course you can go wherever you want. But coming to the woods at night to meet me like this—if people found out, they might get the wrong idea."
Boom!
Tsunade casually punched a tree, snapping it clean in half, and then brushed off her hand. "No one would dare spread rumors like that!"
Chinen held his forehead in frustration. He made a mental note not to joke too much with this violent woman. Thankfully, he was still a child—otherwise, she'd probably beat him up.
"What's this supposed to mean?" Tsunade said, tossing an object to Asakura.
After catching it, Asakura looked at it and explained, "It's a doll."
"Ugh. Do you think I need something like this?" Tsunade scoffed.
Asakura looked at her seriously and said, "I can feel that you're carrying a lot of thoughts. If you don't want to talk to anyone about them, you can talk to this doll. Holding things in your heart too long can be painful."
"Kid! Don't try to read other people's thoughts. What do you know about life?" Tsunade snapped, her tone sharper now.
Noticing the shift in her mood, Asakura continued calmly, "I don't know much. I'm an orphan I grew up in the village. I've never lacked food or clothes, but I don't have a family. There are some things I could only tell to animals. But you're a girl, so I thought the doll might be more fitting."
Asakura believed that no one would ever think of giving a doll to someone like Tsunade. That was why he did it.
Seeing Tsunade fall silent, Asakura added, "Thank you, Tsunade-sama, for teaching me how to improve cell regeneration and helping me survive the battlefield. This is my gift to thank you."
He tossed the doll back to her. This time, Tsunade caught it—but didn't throw it back. It seemed like she chose to accept it.
"You don't need to thank me. I didn't expect you to survive," Tsunade muttered, still trying to sound indifferent.
"Even if you don't accept my thanks, I'm still sincerely grateful. You saved my life," said Asakura.
Since Tsunade didn't continue the topic, Asakura chose not to press further. Timing is everything, and he understood that.
"I heard you were doing well on the front lines?" Tsunade asked softly.
"I'm just trying to help the village win the war. But I'm not strong, so I'm only doing what I can," Asakura replied.
"Then why did you leave the front lines and return to the village?" Tsunade asked with a raised brow.
"It was Orochimaru-sama who asked me to return," Chinen explained. "I met with the Hokage today. He said I have strong potential in medical ninjutsu and could help reduce ninja casualties. He wants me to join the Medical Corps. I initially refused—I'm more interested in regular jutsu—but for the village's sake, I agreed."
"You look down on medical ninjutsu?" Tsunade asked, frowning.
"No! Not at all. Medical ninjutsu is powerful too," Chinen said quickly. "It's just that as a man, I thought I'd be more useful fighting on the battlefield."
"Who said medical ninja can't fight on the battlefield?!" Tsunade shouted, annoyed.
"Everyone says that," Chinen replied. "But in reality, medical ninja are essential during war."
After returning from Konoha Hospital, Chinen had analyzed Tsunade's situation. Given her deep love for Konoha in the original timeline, he realized how hard it must be for her not to go to the battlefield due to her hemophobia.
Just today, she'd fallen asleep in the office, clearly overwhelmed. She must be in a bad state lately.
To ensure Tsunade would eventually take him as a student, Chinen decided to stir up her emotions—perhaps then she would teach him combat medical ninjutsu.
"Sister Tsunade, do you know what Hokage-sama said about me today?" Chinen asked with a grin.
"What did he say?" Tsunade asked nonchalantly.
"He said that at my age, I'm already better than you were in medical ninjutsu," Chinen replied with a smirk.
"Tch. That old man lied to you. And you actually believed him?" Tsunade said, irritated.
With the Third Hokage praising his medical ninjutsu talent and Chinen deliberately provoking Tsunade, he believed she wouldn't stay indifferent. Her competitive nature wouldn't allow it.
Thankfully, again, he was still a child—or else he'd be beaten up.
"Were you just practicing chakra nature transformation?" Tsunade asked, noticing the leaves scattered on the ground.
"Yeah. I have an Earth nature chakra, and I'm practicing how to change its nature," Chinen answered honestly.
He remembered something from his past life: if you want others to treat you sincerely, you must first treat them sincerely.
Asakura approached Tsunade with purpose. But to gain her approval, he had to be honest. The reason they became close within two years was that he had never lied to her—not once.