Compared with the sword, the scabbard's design was much simpler.
But Gu Qi wanted the scabbard not only to let him draw the sword quickly, but also to keep the blade from sliding out, getting lost, or hurting someone.
After thinking it over, Gu Qi decided to add a latch to each side of the guard to lock the sword in its scabbard.
He also took inspiration from the quick-draw holsters of his previous life and added springs to the latches.
That way, inserting the sword into the scabbard would trigger a safety mechanism, locking the latches on the guard into grooves on the scabbard.
When drawing the sword, all he had to do was grip the hilt and press down slightly to release the safety. Then the spring would pop the blade out of the scabbard.
He had designed it this way because he'd realized that even after shortening the sword, drawing it from his back was still a little awkward.
If the sword got stuck in the middle of a battle, that would be embarrassing.
After much deliberation, Gu Qi decided to make the scabbard cylindrical.
That way, he could use it as a club even without drawing the sword.
Some time later, the all-steel scabbard and the modified Rail Sword were finally finished.
Like a child who'd just gotten a new toy, Gu Qi played with it for a long while before finally setting the sword down.
"No, the design still has some major flaws. Looks like I'll have to keep optimizing it." After putting the sword down, Gu Qi rubbed his aching forehead and decided to call it a day.
He left the sword beside the forge and then walked out of the laboratory.
The next morning, after his usual workout, Gu Qi—unusually—didn't go wandering around. Instead, he sat downstairs in the Ninja Tool Shop, reading a book while keeping an eye on the store.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Who are you? Why are you pretending to be Kakashi Gu Qi?" Kakashi clutched his copy of Icha Icha Paradise and seemed utterly startled by the sight.
Gu Qi couldn't help rolling his eyes. "Are you looking for trouble?"
"That tone of voice. Yep, you're definitely my Gu Qi." Kakashi grinned.
"Heh." If Gu Qi hadn't remembered what day it was, he would've snapped back at him already.
"Hmm? You're acting strange. What's going on?" Seeing Gu Qi make no retort, Kakashi grew a little suspicious.
Gu Qi didn't want to waste time, so he simply pulled out a box and handed it over. "Here. Your birthday present!"
Kakashi scratched his head in surprise. "Huh? It's my birthday today?"
"What else would it be?"
Kakashi took the box, deeply moved.
Inside was a beautifully crafted cord, with a brown bead at one end.
It was the Crimson Pill that Gu Qi had prepared as Kakashi's gift.
"You think such a cheap present is enough to get rid of me? That's so lame!" Kakashi said, putting the Crimson Pill around his neck.
"Heh. That's all our friendship is worth." Gu Qi shot back.
"You're breaking my heart."
Though he said that, the smile in Kakashi's eyes gave away how he really felt.
In this world, the only person Gu Qi couldn't bear to part with was Kakashi, the only family he had here.
As time passed, Gu Qi found himself growing more and more attached to this world.
If he really got the chance to go back one day, he wasn't sure he could leave as resolutely as he had at first.
"Since it's my birthday today, let's go get some barbecue!" Kakashi said with a grin.
Gu Qi snapped out of it and smiled. "Then make sure you've got enough money. If you can't pay the bill, I'm not helping you!"
"Tch. I'm not making that mistake twice!"
The two of them traded jabs as they strolled toward the bustling streets.
Three excited Ninja Dogs followed behind them.
"Whew, it's been ages since I ate this well!"
Gu Qi said, stuffed to the brim.
Unlike Gu Qi, Kakashi looked thoroughly unhappy.
Gu Qi, the three Ninja Dogs, and Kakashi had polished off a meal that cost 150,000 Ryo.
Gu Qi had ordered the most expensive things on the menu, while the three Ninja Dogs ate whatever they could get. Kakashi figured that since he was paying, he might as well eat his fill.
As a result, the five of them swept all the premium ingredients off the menu at Yakiniku Q.
When they left, the owner of Yakiniku Q was extremely gracious as she saw them off.
She kept smiling even after Kakashi and the others had walked far away.
"Hey, Kakashi, quit looking so miserable! Come on, let's get some dessert!" Gu Qi said, pointing to the dumpling shop beside them.
"You're still eating? Haven't you had enough already?" Kakashi said, his eyelids drooping in exasperation.
"That was the main course. This is dessert. How can you say they're the same?" Gu Qi retorted.
Kakashi sighed. They'd already spent so much, so what was a little more? "Suit yourself! If you get a stomachache, don't expect me to help."
"Tch. You underestimate me."
As he spoke, Gu Qi went up to the counter. "Boss, I'll take all the red dumplings you've got."
"Sure thing. That'll be 500 Ryo. Thank you!" The owner cheerfully served him, glad to have such a big sale.
"Kakashi, pay up!" Gu Qi grabbed the bag the owner handed him and called to Kakashi behind him.
Kakashi couldn't help rolling his eyes again. "It's my birthday, so why am I still the one paying?"
"Heh, I'm just a kid!" Gu Qi flashed his white teeth.
Kakashi nearly choked. What a powerful argument.
"Boss, I'll take ten skewers of red dumplings."
A pleasant, melodious female voice reached Gu Qi's ears.
"Sorry, ma'am. That customer just bought all the red dumplings."
Gu Qi then heard the owner give an apologetic reply.
"Hey, kid. I want to ask you something." A female ninja with a fairly curvy figure and rather revealing clothes suddenly appeared in front of Gu Qi.
"What is it?" Gu Qi asked, his face falling as he ate a dumpling.
Gu Qi recognized her. Mitaraishi Anko, a Konoha Chunin and one of Orochimaru's students.
"Kids shouldn't eat so many sweets. Here, let your big sister help you with some," Mitaraishi Anko said, putting on a benevolent tone.
"Heh!" Gu Qi couldn't help rolling his eyes. Was this woman an idiot?
Seeing Gu Qi look at her like she was an idiot, Anko's eye twitched.
But for the sake of the dumplings, Anko swallowed her annoyance and squeezed out a smile. "Well, how about selling your big sister some? Just ten skewers."
"Oh, I see... Not selling." Gu Qi ate another dumpling and answered without even looking up.
At that, Anko's forehead creased with an "anger mark." "Kid, don't push it!"
"Heh!" Gu Qi said nothing. He ate another dumpling, then gave each of the three Ninja Dogs a skewer.
As the dumplings dwindled, Anko finally lost her temper. She clenched her fists until they cracked. "Kid, you want me to beat you up?"
What was a brat supposed to do when someone threatened him? Obviously, call for a grown-up!
"Kakashi, someone's bullying me! Kakashi... Ka—"
Gu Qi wasn't scared at all. He opened his mouth and called for backup.
But as he shouted, his voice gradually faded. He realized Kakashi had disappeared some time ago.
"So you're Kakashi's little brother. So what?" Anko licked her lips, a dangerous look in her eyes.
"Gulp!" Gu Qi swallowed. Without Kakashi around, he and the three Ninja Dogs didn't seem like a match for Anko.
"What... what are you going to do?" Gu Qi was starting to get scared. Unlike some people, Anko wasn't a bad person, but she had a short temper—and, more importantly, a very strange way of thinking.
"Hehe, I'm going to beat you up, then take your dumplings!" Anko said with a grin.
Gu Qi gave an awkward smile. "Um, could I take you up on your earlier offer and sell you ten skewers?"
"Heh. Right now, I just want to beat you up first, then take the dumplings." Anko gave him an evil smile and slowly walked toward him as he stared at her in terror.
"Yamete, I was wrong! Anko-sis, you're the best!"
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