Reincarated with Nanites

~ Hayatou's Pov ~

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"I thought you wanted us to help?"

I picked up the tone in Kakashi's voice; Albeit, it wasn't a disrespectful one, "Truthfully, I did, but it also would've taken too long." Being honest won't hurt his pride too much. Kakashi and Shikaku were strong. I guess, but this fight would've definitely worn them down, and I'd likely need them at their best if the time comes...

I turned back on the jonin I had left; he answered my questions, but it still took some inspiration for him to speak up, not that I minded that kind of thing. after questioning him, I left him with a completely shattered left leg, and equally un-healable by my standards.

"Since you two are done... Based on what he told us, we can expect that the person leading this operation isn't exactly a risk taker. That alone is plenty info for us to use against him. He seems like he uses the slums to run his operations."

The slums were part of the journey between Konoha and the village hidden in the sand. That's where my knowledge ended on it. In fact, I had thought that place was just a rumor in Konoha...

Shikaku stepped forward, his analytical eyes scanning the carnage around us. "The slums? Interesting choice. Densely populated, minimal shinobi presence, and plenty of desperate people willing to keep quiet for the right price."

I nodded. "Exactly. Our target prefers to remain hidden, operating through multiple layers of subordinates."

Kakashi crouched beside the jonin with the shattered leg, who was now slipping in and out of consciousness. "Did he mention any specific location within the slums? It's a large area."

"The eastern district," I replied, recalling the jonin's pained confession. "Something about an abandoned textile factory that's been repurposed. He said there's an underground network beneath it."

Shikaku frowned, his scarred face contemplative. "That narrows it down, but we'll still need to be cautious. If this leader is as risk-averse as you say, the place will be heavily trapped and guarded."

I stretched my arms, feeling the immense weight still pulling at my muscles. Even after dispatching twenty-one ninjas, I barely felt winded. "I'm not particularly concerned about traps or guards."

"Of course you're not," Kakashi said with a hint of dry humor in his voice. "But perhaps a strategic approach would still be beneficial? We could gather more intelligence before charging in."

I considered this for a moment. My instinct was to simply go there and tear the place apart, but there was wisdom in Kakashi's words. We needed information as much as we needed to dismantle this operation.

"Agreed," I finally said. "But we move quickly. Tonight, we'll scout the perimeter. Tomorrow at dawn, we infiltrate."

Shikaku nodded approvingly. "I'll need about an hour to prepare some specialized shadow techniques for this terrain. The slums offer unique challenges—and opportunities—for my jutsu."

"Take the time you need," I replied... "I'll secure these ninjas and ensure our friend here receives just enough medical attention to keep him alive for further questioning."

Kakashi stood, adjusting his mask slightly. "I'll send a message to the Hokage about our findings and next steps."

As they departed to prepare, I looked again at the jonin whose leg I'd shattered. He moaned softly, eyes fluttering as pain kept him from fully losing consciousness.

"You've been helpful," I told him quietly, "but I suspect we'll need some more from you before this is done."

He didn't respond, but his fearful whimper told me everything I needed to know. The slums would give us our answers, one way or another. And if resistance awaited us there, well... I smiled slightly at the thought. Perhaps I'd find someone who could actually challenge me, though I wasn't going to hold my breath for it. I'm a little desperate, but not that desperate...

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~ Omniscient Pov ~

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As night fell over the forest, they made camp roughly half a mile from where the confrontation had occurred. Hayatou could have traveled much farther, but Kakashi and Shikaku needed rest, and he was in no particular hurry. The jonin prisoner was securely bound with chakra-suppressing restraints, his shattered leg splinted just enough to prevent him from dying of shock.

"You didn't have to break him quite so thoroughly," Shikaku commented as he worked on a detailed map of the slums he had picked up from one of the unconscious shinobi, spread out on a flat rock by their small, smokeless fire.

Hayatou shrugged, "He needed a bit of convincing. Besides, if he'd been in better shape, we'd have had to worry about him escaping."

Kakashi looked up from his book—one of those ridiculous romance novels he always carried. "There's such a thing as excessive force, Hayatou."

"Is there?" Hayatou asked, genuinely curious about their perspective. "Twenty-one attackers came with the intention of killing or capturing us. I disabled them efficiently."

"That's not—" Kakashi began, then shook his head. "Never mind. Let's focus on tomorrow."

Shikaku pointed to a section of his map. "The eastern district has three abandoned factories. Based on the description, I believe our target is here." His finger tapped a large rectangular building near a canal. "The old Kurama Textiles factory. It was shut down about five years ago when the owner was implicated in selling fabrics to enemies of the Leaf."

Hayatou peered at the location, "What makes you so certain it's this one?"

"Water access," Shikaku explained. "The canal provides a discreet way to move supplies and people. Plus, if I remember correctly, the Karama facility had significant underground storage areas for raw materials. It's perfect for hiding any illicit operation, if I'm being frank."

Hayatou nodded, impressed by his deduction so far, "What can we expect inside?"

"Hard to say exactly, but if our intel is correct so far, we're looking at a much larger smuggling operation than we thought, but with the possibility human trafficking now guaranteed, and theories about the forbidden jutsu scrolls. Either would explain the heavy security and secrecy."

Kakashi closed his book, "Now the question is; Do we want to dismantle the operation, or use it to trace back to the mastermind... Cause based off my experience, they're never located where their operations are."

"Both." Hayatou said simply, "I say we infiltrate for now, gather intelligence on their network and leadership, and then we can crush them completely."

Shikaku raised an eyebrow. "Ambitious, but not entirely impossible. Especially given your... capabilities." he then stared off to the side for a second.

Hayatou looked up at the stars, considering the team's approach for a moment, "I'll enter first, draw attention. Shikaku, you use the shadows to capture and immobilize as many as possible for interrogation. Kakashi, I want you to help get anyone out that's captured."

Both nodded their agreement, though Hayatou noticed them exchange a quick glance at each other.

"What?" he asked.

"Nothing," Kakashi said. "Just... try not to bring the facility down around us while you, handle your situation." Kakashi had easily estimated that the boy in front of him could do so, in fact, what he had see tonight had genuinely terrified him...

Before Kakashi decided to rest, he gave Hayatou another glance, "Though... Why didn't you actually go all the way tonight? These men aren't exactly acceptable by societies standards?" However, how he said had seemed like more of a test of sorts, rather than an actual question.

On the other hand, Hayatou's expression remained relatively impassive while he considered answering Kakashi's question; His gaze drifted to the broken forms of the ninjas they had restrained, particularly the jonin with the shattered leg.

"Death would be too quick..." he finally said, his tone carrying a type of certainty that made even Shikaku pause in his map-making, "I believe pain teaches lessons... Information gathered from these men might save lives. Besides..." Hayatou's eyes narrowed slightly, "Their suffering served a purpose either way."

Kakashi studied him with his one visible eye, "Interesting... Though, not everyone shares your utilitarian view of justice."

"Justice?" Hayatou almost smiled at that, "No, this isn't about justice. It's about... Never mind."

Shikaku cleared his throat, "Back to the matter at hand. The factory will likely have multiple entry points, but I suggest approaching from the canal side. Less chance of being spotted."

Hayatou nodded, content to let the uncomfortable subject drop, "I agree. The water approach makes the most sense."

"I'll scout ahead before dawn," Kakashi offered. "I can help identify any nins or traps ahead."

"Alright, I guess that settle what we do from here... You two can rest for the night, I'll keep watch."

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After a few hours, Hayatou being awake quickly took a strand of Shikaku's hair.

'He'll have to do for now, either way, with your capabilities, I'll be on the level of either Shikaku Shikamaru in raw intellect. At least I hope so.'

[I will see what I can do with this, rest well host...]

Without much delay, the skin where Hayatou's body was touching, slowly began to swallow the strand completely.

'Thanks N.E.O, give me your feedback as soon as your done with your diagnostics.'

[Affirmative Host; I will see you after some time...]

With N.E.O saying his goodbye, Hayatou leaned even closer to the tree stump...

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END