Genshin Impact's Incense Burner Of Liyue.

"No, I've decided—you are now the boss of the Arataki Gang!"

The iron-headed Itto declared in his booming voice. "From today onward, in the presence of our boss, I won't refer to myself as this great one. I need to have the basic manners of a loyal underling!"

"From now on, Sir Samurai, you're the boss of the Arataki Gang!"

"Boss, your humble subordinate, Arataki Itto, greets you!"

Gu Sanqiu massaged his temples. "Just a moment. Even if you're calling me boss, I have one question for you."

"Boss, ask away! If I know the answer, I'll tell you everything!"

"Do you even know my name?"

"Uh… about that, I guess I don't know your name."

Itto froze for a second, then immediately bowed with an exaggerated flourish.

"My deepest apologies! For me, as your subordinate, to not even know your name—I deserve a thousand deaths!"

"Let's not go overboard here."

Gu Sanqiu sighed. "My name is Longhai Xuanzhe. Just don't go giving me any strange nicknames, okay?"

The last thing he wanted was some absurd title like "Longhai, Greatest Under the Heavens" hanging over his head. Even imagining it made him shudder in embarrassment.

"Got it, Boss Longhai!"

"Fine, just stick with 'boss.'"

Gu Sanqiu shook his head. "Since I'm the boss now, let me tell you this: starting today, your way of life must change."

"Whether it's for the sake of meeting someone special or any other reason, you can't keep living this hand-to-mouth existence anymore."

"From now on, no more scraping by and worrying about where your next meal is coming from."

"Uh, Boss Longhai, if we don't live like that, it's not like we can suddenly find steady jobs overnight," one of the lackeys said hesitantly. "To be honest, even if we tried our hardest starting now, finding a decent job would still be nearly impossible—we've got no savings."

"How about this?"

Another lackey's eyes lit up. "The three of us keep doing odd jobs while Big Bro Itto starts putting in the effort. We can save up to support his efforts financially!"

"That's actually not a bad idea!"

"No way! What kind of person would I be if I agreed to that? I absolutely refuse!"

Itto's face turned red with indignation. "We stick together, no matter what!"

"Exactly. That plan isn't going to work," Gu Sanqiu agreed. "Besides, I said you need to say goodbye to your old lifestyle—not complicate things unnecessarily."

"Tell me, what's the current state of the gangs in Hanamizaka?"

"Gangs?"

Itto blinked, then scoffed dismissively.

"Nothing but small fry and weaklings. I can take care of them all with one hand tied behind my back."

"I wasn't asking about their combat skills. I'm asking what they do for a living."

"What they do? Strictly speaking, aside from collecting protection money, a lot of them work odd jobs or just stay home doing nothing."

Ah, classic freeloaders who sponge off their families and play at being gangsters.

"What else?"

"Hmm… well, some of them have connections with big shots in the inner city. They get allowances every now and then and make money off certain jobs they're assigned."

"Jobs? Are you saying they keep enforcers on payroll in Hanamizaka?"

"Uh, Granny says those guys aren't really enforcers—more like a bunch of barely useful lackeys. They're nowhere near as capable as real enforcers."

"But Granny also said that the people funding these small-time thugs usually aren't the real big shots in the inner city. Most of the time, they're just nouveau riche or shady individuals."

One of the lackeys scratched his head. "Some people even tried to recruit Big Bro Itto once, but Granny told us to steer clear of those types, so we turned them down."

"Exactly! Those who prey on the innocent and live off their suffering—we, the Arataki Gang, want no part of them!"

"Good. Now, do you know the best way for a gang like ours to grow stronger?"

Seeing their confused expressions, Gu Sanqiu could only shake his head in exasperation.

"Besides certain… unmentionable methods, for gangs that lack official recognition, the most effective way to grow stronger is through black-on-black rivalry."

"Black-on-black?"

Itto was puzzled. "But we, the Arataki Gang, haven't done anything. Why are we lumped in with the rest?"

"Uh… could it be because I beat the kids at games and took their candy?"

"That's not it."

Gu Sanqiu shook his head. "Remember, it's not about what you've done or haven't done—it's about how others perceive you."

"If you call yourselves, or now us, the Arataki Gang, people will naturally view us with suspicion, even if we haven't done anything."

"Once a name gains recognition, it becomes associated with those circles. No one's going to treat you like an ordinary person anymore."

"People are wary of strangers, let alone those who might be criminals. It's just how the world works."

He continued, "Take what I just told you, for instance. To you, the reason I want to abolish the Sakoku Decree is clear and well-meaning—it's for the good of Inazuma."

"But to the Tenryou Commission, I'm nothing more than a criminal threatening Inazuma's stability—someone who must be executed without hesitation."

"They don't care why I want to abolish the decree. What matters to them is my perceived affiliation. That's what their rules dictate."

"Do you get it now?"

"So… Boss, are you saying that founding the Arataki Gang was a mistake in the first place?"

The third lackey hesitated, as if uncertain. "That's kind of what it sounds like."

"No."

Gu Sanqiu smirked. "In business and politics, alliances and factions are common. Do you know why no one dares to challenge them openly?"

"Because they control things ordinary people can't?"

Itto seemed to grasp what Gu Sanqiu was getting at.

"Exactly. Or to put it simply—they're powerful."

"When you're powerful, as long as you don't cross certain lines, most people won't interfere with you."

"But if you're weak and spend your days dreaming of unrealistic things, that's when you risk violating unwritten rules—and facing serious consequences."

Gu Sanqiu's tone turned serious. "Connections, financial strength, skills, personal power, even family background—all of these are factors that make you strong."

"If you can't manage that, then follow society's rules. Become one of the countless ordinary people who work hard, retire, and face life's inevitable challenges."

"Sure, you might occasionally reminisce about the bold dreams of your youth…"

"But at least you'll have a stable life."

"Whether you want to rule the world, live a carefree life, or achieve smaller goals, it all requires strength."

"Weakness is the ultimate sin."