Inside the room, Ekko's gaze became even more complex as he watched Jinx. She was lying in a corner of the room, a little girl sitting beside her, playing with toys.
"Snap!"
At the sound of a snapping finger, Marsen looked displeased and whispered in Ekko's ear: "What are you looking at? That's our big sister-in-law."
"She... Marsen, are they really together?" Ekko stared at Jinx's back, noticing that the cloud patterns on her small, thin body had faded considerably. It seemed... she hadn't drawn them on again?
"What else?"
Hearing this, an unnamable emotion flickered in Ekko's eyes. Back in Black Alley, Leo and Jinx—Powder—did have a good relationship. He remembered Powder even asked him to fix a pocket watch, which she then gave to Leo. However, Ekko always considered his relationship with Powder to be the best. Of course, that "best" excluded Vi. In Powder's world, Vi was her everything; only the small space left after Vi could hold anyone else. Ekko and Powder were similar in age, and within Vi's small group, they were the two youngest. Their adoptive fathers' relationship was also very strong, so they saw each other every day.
He had to admit... Ekko had a crush on Powder when they were little; it was something many in Black Alley knew. But ever since she changed and followed Silco, Ekko had closed off his heart. Now, seeing Jinx, who seemed somewhat more normal, Ekko wasn't experiencing a rekindling of old flames—no, a rekindling of what? He was the only one who had ever had a crush. Anyway, damn it, Ekko's mood right now was just incredibly complicated.
"What, still staring?"
"I said that's our big sister-in-law!" Marsen grew a little annoyed.
Although Jinx was crazy and infamous, Marsen had indeed been very afraid of her at first. But it was different now, because she truly produced weapons! The Lotus Flower Gang could hold territory and achieve battle results with no casualties largely thanks to Jinx, because the weapons she made gave the Lotus Flower Gang members an overwhelming advantage in fights. Whether it was gang members or the Chem-Barons' enforcers, they were just trying to earn a living. The moment a gun fired and someone fell, the rest would scatter like birds and beasts. No, did anyone truly think they were united? Not at all! For that measly monthly pay, why would you risk your life?
But the Lotus Flower Gang was different. Marsen had recently noticed that everyone in the Lotus Flower Gang had changed. While Marsen couldn't pinpoint exactly what had changed, it was definitely something. They were no longer opportunistic, and the shadows of their former gang life were gradually fading. Everyone seemed to have more energy and spirit?
Ekko gave a wry smile, turning to look at Leo. He saw Leo watching him with an amused gaze.
Ekko cleared his throat and said, "So, what Zeri said is all true?"
"You're changing Zaun, helping the community residents, protecting them, and not even collecting any profits?" Ekko looked at Leo, asking seriously.
Leo nodded, but immediately added: "But I must emphasize, Ekko, that we don't collect fees now doesn't mean we won't collect them in the future."
Ekko's expression changed at this.
But Leo quickly continued.
"However, what we collect won't be protection fees, but taxes. The daily wear and tear of community facilities, public electricity, sanitation—these all require money. But we won't overcharge, I can guarantee you that."
Leo spoke very sincerely. Working for free was impossible. After the community was established, many areas required funds. For example, the Lotus Flower Gang had recently installed rows of streetlights in the Hope Community, built at their own expense, to bring light to the Hope Community at night. The electricity for these would be provided by community taxes in the future.
Seeing Ekko in thought, Leo shared all his ideas with him. For Zaun to change, it needed to start from the roots. The Wildfire Gang, content to protect its own small area, couldn't truly change Zaun. Of course, Leo knew he couldn't blame Ekko for that.
Ekko had already done well enough; he had pushed things in the best possible direction. Although the Wildfire Gang hadn't expanded its territory or helped other communities, it had secretly been constantly opposing the Chem-Barons. Ekko had been helping and protecting the people of Zaun in places they couldn't see. But in Leo's view, this approach wasn't necessarily unsuccessful, but the process of achieving results was simply too long.
And Zeri, standing beside Ekko, had done something Ekko couldn't. She fought alone, using her spirit to awaken an entire community, leading her friends and family to resist. So if Ekko and Zeri were to cooperate...
Hmm, should he say they were truly Zaun's twin prides?
"In that case, I can understand. That's how it should be," Ekko nodded, and then his expression towards Leo softened considerably.
Then, as if remembering something, he turned to look at Zeri. Seeing Zeri sitting obediently, watching Leo, he turned back to Leo and said:
"Oh, right, Leo, this is Zeri. She's from Zaun and also wants to join your Lotus Flower Gang. What do you think..."
"I'll take her," Leo immediately said. Looking at Zeri, Leo smiled and said, "Welcome to the Lotus Flower Gang, Zeri."
"I, I, I, I," Zeri stammered several times, unable to speak while looking at Leo's face. But when Jinx, using both hands, grabbed Isa's hair to tie it into little pigtails and looked over, Zeri's speech immediately became smooth.
"I'm very happy too, Boss!" Zeri said, nodding with a stiff expression.
Leo chuckled. Speaking of which... in the Rift, does Jinx beat Zeri, or does Zeri beat Jinx? They both seemed to be late-game carries.
Putting aside distracting thoughts, Leo looked at Ekko and asked seriously: "What about you? Won't you join us?"
"I don't plan to join you," Ekko shook his head, but seemingly realizing he had spoken too absolutely, he rubbed his nose and added, "At least, not right now."
"I am very interested in your ideas, Leo, but I have to be responsible for the people in the Wildfire Gang," Ekko said earnestly.
Leo felt a little disappointed but understood, nodding: "I see."
However, Ekko then said: "But if you can make a big splash..."
Leo looked up at Ekko. Ekko spread his hands and said softly:
"Then I can lead the Wildfire Gang to join you. Frankly, Leo, with the increasing number of our compatriots, the Wildfire Gang's territory is no longer enough. If possible, I also want them to live outside, in places like the Hope Community."
"But the prerequisite is that you have to make a big splash, something that will make me, and my companions, believe in you," Ekko gazed at Leo.
Ekko was serious. After listening to Leo's words, Ekko also became excited. What had Leo said? He wanted to change Zaun, change Zaun's systems, its environment, and even the Lotus Flower Gang was already working on air filtration devices to combat the gray haze. To see the light of day again was every Zaunite's dream, and Ekko was no exception. Therefore, if it weren't for the entire Wildfire Gang behind him, Ekko might have already accepted Leo's invitation. After all... Vi was here, and a group of people he knew.
"Hmm..."
"Then what kind of 'splash' do you consider big enough?" Leo stroked his chin, looked at Ekko, and smiled:
"How about this."
"How about we depose a Chem-Baron as a warm-up?