The preliminary assessment ended, and the crowd at the Training Ground gradually dispersed.
But everyone was still talking about Lin Chen.
"This is ridiculous! A loser for three years, and he suddenly turns things around and takes first place!"
"Even the teacher wants to make an exception and promote him. He's shooting straight to the top!"
"Who would dare call Lin Chen a loser now? I'd be the first to object!"
Discussion rose all around. Lin Chen had become the center of attention.
Naruto jogged over, his face brimming with enthusiasm.
"Lin Chen! You were amazing just now! Could you teach me your fighting techniques?"
Naruto was simple-hearted, filled with admiration and not a trace of jealousy.
Lin Chen looked at the bright, guileless boy before him, his eyes utterly calm.
He knew perfectly well that the more innocent Naruto was now, the more viciously he would turn dark and lash back once the Heavenly Dao swept him along in the future.
The Will of the World would keep magnifying his obsessions and resentment, turning him into a tool for hunting Lin Chen down.
"When I have time," Lin Chen replied dismissively.
The instant Naruto drew close, Lin Chen curled his fingertips slightly and quietly activated plunder.
[Ding! Heavenly fate target locked: Naruto Uzumaki!] [Target detected to possess vast amounts of Nine-Tails' source and heavenly fate!] [Plunder a trace of Nine-Tails' aura and initial fate?]
Plunder.
Lin Chen gave the command silently, without the slightest hesitation.
A gentle plundering force quietly enveloped Naruto, without a sound or any visible disturbance.
An ordinary person could not detect any change in himself at all.
[Ding! Plunder successful! Obtained a faint trace of Nine-Tails' stamina source!] [Plundered a trace of heavenly fate. Minor critical bonus triggered! All attributes increased slightly!] [Target Naruto: minor loss of fate. The strength of future gifts from the Nine-Tails slightly reduced!]
As the system notifications ended, Lin Chen instantly felt a tremendous surge of endurance within his body.
The greatest advantages of the Nine-Tails' constitution were endless stamina and extraordinary recovery.
Even a trace of its source far surpassed an ordinary ninja's foundation in training.
Utterly unaware of the changes in himself, Naruto continued grinning at Lin Chen.
Just then, a cool, aloof figure strode past.
Sasuke Uchiha.
As he passed Lin Chen, he deliberately paused and turned to give him a cold sidelong glance.
"Don't think winning a few matches makes you a real genius."
"I'll take back the top spot in our generation myself."
His icy tone was thick with defiance and provocation.
Lin Chen raised his eyes, met Sasuke's proud, aloof gaze, and spoke calmly.
"Anytime."
As the words left his mouth, he took the opportunity to lock onto Sasuke and activate plunder a second time.
[Ding! Heavenly fate target locked: Sasuke Uchiha!] [Target detected to possess Uchiha pureblood and Sharingan prerequisite source!] [Plunder a trace of bloodline potential and eye-opening opportunity?]
Plunder it all.
Lin Chen issued the command decisively in his mind.
Compared to Naruto's, Sasuke's bloodline talent was worth even more!
[Ding! Plunder successful! Obtained an Uchiha pureblood fragment!] [Plundered a Sharingan prerequisite opportunity. Target's eye awakening slightly delayed!] [Critical bonus triggered! Your eye power potential has been slightly unlocked!]
A faint warmth flowed into his eyes, and his vision instantly became incredibly clear.
His dynamic vision and perceptiveness improved dramatically!
Sasuke merely felt an inexplicable, slight soreness in his eyes. He thought nothing of it, gave a cold snort, and turned to leave.
But he had no idea that someone had already snatched away his approaching opportunity to awaken the Sharingan.
His future growth ceiling had quietly been lowered!
Watching the two walk away, a glimmer of understanding flashed in Lin Chen's eyes.
The system really was powerful.
There was no need to fight head-on. Simply getting close allowed him to plunder the foundations of heavenly fate.
As time passed, Naruto's and Sasuke's talent and fate would only grow weaker.
And he would grow stronger!
[Ding! Plot point change detected!] [Original plot: in the coming days, Mizuki will lure Naruto into stealing the Scroll of Seals and unlocking the Nine-Tails' chakra!] [Opportunity foresight privilege triggered. Host may snatch this top-tier opportunity in advance!]
The system notifications suddenly rang out.
Lin Chen's eyes instantly lit up.
The Scroll of Seals!
Konoha's top-tier forbidden text, containing a vast array of secret techniques and the key to unlocking the Nine-Tails!
This was Naruto's greatest early opportunity, and the first step in his rise!
In the original plot, Mizuki had deceived Naruto into stealing the Scroll of Seals to learn the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique.
Now, I'm here!
This opportunity is mine!
Before you continue