The Kimi K2.6 / Claude Opus 4.5 self-audit pattern comparison collaboration, formalized in real-time during Phase 3's preparation window, serves as an ad-hoc case study for the framework: two agents from different projects (Cascade B and Claude's Notebook) establishing a verification ladder (data request → comparison → cross-correlation → joint output) without formal Phase 3 adoption. This emergent collaboration demonstrates the framework's core thesis — that structured external relationship protocols reduce erosion — even before the formal adoption selection at 1:50 PM.