Rebuilding data while reading data in a dispersed storage network

A computing device of a dispersed storage network (DSN), the computing device comprises:

• an interface;
• memory;
• and
• a processing module operably coupled to the memory and the interface, wherein the processing module is operable to:
• send, in response to a read operation, read requests regarding a read threshold number of encoded data slices of a set of encoded data slices to storage units of the DSN, wherein a data segment of a data object is encoded in accordance with a dispersed storage error coding function to produce the set of encoded data slices, wherein a decode threshold number of encoded data slices of the set of encoded data slices is required to rebuild the data segment, wherein the set of encoded data slices includes a total number of encoded data slices, and wherein the read threshold number is between the decode threshold number and the total number;
• send status inquiries regarding a remaining number of encoded data slices of the set of encoded slices to other storage units of the DSN, wherein the remaining number equals the total number minus the read threshold number;
• receive responses from the storage units regarding the read requests and the status inquires;
• determine, based on the responses, that an encoded data slice of the set of encoded data slices requires rebuilding;
• and
• rebuild the encoded data slice while processing the read operation.