Shiinchiro's mind raced.
*What do I do? What CAN I do?*
He looked at the elderly shopkeeper. Genuinely desperate. Forty years of work about to be stolen through legal exploitation.
He looked at the loan shark. Professionally detached. Crimson Dragons connection. Following the rules—predatory, cruel rules, but rules nonetheless.
*Ren paid money. Solved the problem directly. Clean.*
*I don't have money. Can't solve it that way.*
*So what do I have?*
*Information. Words. The ability to make this man's life complicated.*
The loan shark was almost at the corner. About to disappear.
Shiinchiro made his decision.
"Wait."
The loan shark stopped. Turned back. Irritated now. "What?"
"I'm reporting this." Shiinchiro pulled out his phone. Voice steadier than he felt. "To Sakuratei leadership. They'll want to know about Crimson Dragons-affiliated operations in our territory."
The loan shark's expression flickered. Brief. But there.
*Concern.*
"I'm not Crimson Dragons—"
