Chapter 46 - Shifts in the Village

In the weeks since returning from the border, Kagami picked up the news around the village. Many things he mentally questioned for the news he collected conflicts with each other. From Naruto Uzumaki being the reincarnation of the nine tails, to the Uchiha clan being aggressive. The first one being untrue and the other one was semi-true, but it was mostly because the one being arrested resisted.

Why in the world would the villagers believe a pervert who stole women's underwear about how he was wronged. A thief Kagami saw with his own eyes in action as did a few others. However, after a few days the man was released as the Uchiha couldn't withstand the masses. Well, without hurting them thus growing the rift between them and the village that only grew wider.

Yet, this was one of many incidents throughout the village that took place. From the news, basically as long as one cried wolf and managed to gather the civilians' support, then no matter the crime they could walk out of jail. Which was strange as it shouldn't work that way as the Hokage would have the final say. Well, until he discovered that Hiruzen was tied up in various other matters and unable to intervene in time in most cases like the thief.

Hence, Kagami had found that the village was in a messy state. Hence, he went to work in his lab as he prepared to build a factory line for his chakra batteries. Since, between his various deeds and missions at the border and the royalties from all the chakra vehicles sold. He found himself quite wealthy, which will only grow from now on.

A guess that came true in a few weeks after creating the belt line and speeding up the production of the chakra batteries. For a month after returning to the village, more chakra vehicles were produced and his savings grew far faster.

"It's really crazy out there." Mira sat on a stool and complained.

She was currently in her underwear as various wires and sensors were hooked up around her body. Which unlike last time didn't include swallowing something, for this time she was helping Kagami with something else completely. For he plans to try out his prototype of his virtual reality with her and to get the most accurate read. Well, he was sure Mira was used to it for she just rolled her eyes and helped him place the sensors on her body.

"Is that so?" Kagami asked. "What happened this time?"

"First I found a thief trying to steal my underwear from the clothes line. So after beating him up and tossing him to the patrol, I came here. However on the way here, I nearly got run over as a child sped down the road in a chakra vehicle. Then, on the outside of the village as I was heading here, civilian teenagers attempted to throw rocks at me." Mira vented one incident after another.

Kagami frowned as he listened to her rant as he wondered what the Hokage plans to do. He clearly needs to step up his game or at this rate the village is going to tear itself down. For the rules aren't keeping up with the progression of the village.

"Well, hopefully everything will get under control again soon." Kagami said.

Flipping a few switches, he watched as a very bad render appeared on the screen and Mira barely got moving before the system forcefully kicked her. Blinking at the data for a moment, Kagami began to check over Mira who besides a slight headache and dizziness was completely fine.

'It seems that the computing power needs a major upgrade. It couldn't keep up with her thoughts at all.' Kagami thought a bit after Mira recovered. 'I will need to expand my workshop, machines and possibly improve my laboratory before trying again. Which should take about a year or so if I work at a moderate pace.'

--

After a month of working and shifting between his serum studies, relaxing with his grandfather and Maru who have been looking a bit bad lately and a few short missions. Kagami while returning from a small mission to suppress bandits that have sprung up lately. He found Mira at the entrance of Hokage tower waiting for him after he dropped off the mission report.

Looking at the usually energetic girl seeming downcast and dark circles below her eyes. He felt his heart ache a bit as he began to worry about what happened.

"What's wrong? You look like you haven't slept in days."

"Great Grandfather isn't doing well." Mira replied with a small voice.

Kagami felt like he took a heavy blow hearing this as Maru is one of the few friends his grandfather actually likes. Not only that but despite not being the most talented, he also taught both him and Mira a lot. So hearing that he is not doing well, it put him on the edge of his seat, but in his heart he knew this would happen sooner or later.

After all, Maru was in his eighties and not the first half of it either. However, he knew this day would come sooner or later. He felt like the day was coming too fast so following behind Mira, Kagami rushed to Maru.

Upon arriving at the small house, Kagami entered Maru's room where he saw an old man on his bed. He coughed a few times as he sat up slightly to greet them with a smile.

"You look better than what Mira described." Kagami said.

"I told her not to worry so much. It's just a small cold." Maru waved it off.

'A cold in the summer? Last I knew the weather hadn't dropped that much in the last week. So who are you trying to trick?' Kagami thought as he began to look Maru over.

While he seemed a bit frail, which he guessed from age, Kagami couldn't guess what was wrong with him from a glance. He would have to run a bunch of tests or inject nanobots to collect the data before he could figure it out. After data was easier to read then the human body with a pair of eyes.

"Why don't you go rest, Mira. Kagami can keep me company for a bit." Maru asked or more like ordered Mira.

While she looked unwilling, she finally nodded and left towards her room. Leaving the two alone in the room.