143. Analysis, and the Man Behind the Truth

Facing Jack's request to share the footage, Reid did not hesitate. He immediately pulled up the combat data recorded by his optical implant.

In fact, regarding that exceptionally capable Arasaka agent, he had already planned to brief these temporary comrades in detail after reporting the intelligence the president needed to know first—after all, they were very likely to encounter that dangerous opponent again in the coming operation.

Data streams condensed in the air into a holographic projection, fully recreating the life-and-death battle between Reid and the young man.

As the holographic footage played, Reid began analyzing this mysterious Arasaka commander for the KK Squad members, who were working together for the first time.

In the footage, the ghostlike figure moved swiftly against Reid, his blade repeatedly carving lethal arcs through the air. Every swing had been perfectly captured by military-grade recorders, every frame carrying deadly precision.

"His swordsmanship is quite advanced." Reid paused the footage, pointed at the young man's stance as he held the blade, and brought up an analysis chart of skeletal and muscular movement trajectories. "Look at this opening stance. It's a typical variant of the old Japanese Shinkage-ryū school, but it incorporates the methods of exertion used in modern tactical combat."

Reid waved a hand, and the projection immediately broke down the flow of coordinated movements throughout the muscles. "And it gives me a strange sense of familiarity. I once studied combat data on Arasaka's Ninja Hundred. This man's movements are exactly like theirs."

His finger swept across the projection, pulling up a set of comparison data and displaying combat footage of Ninja Hundred members from historical missions side by side:

"The unique rhythm formed by muscle memory—even the lingering awareness movement when he sheathes his blade is a perfect match. Lingering awareness is a concept