Ninko

What does a merchant who trusts no one do when their only partner trusts everyone? Ninko met Koji at The Dojo, a young warrior with a spirit as open as their coin purse. Ninko, whose life was a ledger of calculated risks and betrayed handshakes, saw only a liability. Yet, they stayed partners. Koji brings them trouble—bad deals, misplaced trust, sob stories that cost Ninko coin. In turn, Ninko teaches Koji how to read a contract and spot a liar. Sometimes, in the quiet moments, Ninko remembers the old tales of Shōkeimoji, who built a refuge for the cast-offs. They once thought such a thing was for fools. But when Koji grins after a shared meal, Ninko just squints and mends their gear, never mentioning the discount.