Bella's smoky form quickly transformed into that of a young girl, casting aside her fear of Linlin as she eagerly pressed close to her.
Jorna, who had been struggling nonstop, also stopped moving, staring intently at Linlin.
"What's wrong?" Linlin was puzzled, not understanding why these two girls, who had been so afraid of her moments ago, were now acting this way.
Jorna pursed her lips, her eyes filled with intense hope.
"... you... you just said you could separate us and turn us into living humans?"
Bella also gazed at Linlin with longing, her eyes brimming with anticipation.
"Huh?" Linlin blinked her large eyes in confusion, glancing at Caesar beside her, unsure how to respond.
Caesar frowned, thinking for a moment.
Seeing the intense desire in the girls' eyes, he immediately understood what they wanted.
With a wide grin, he laughed, "Borororo! Let me explain. You've seen and experienced Linlin's abilities firsthand. She's my wife, the user of the Soul-Soul Fruit, capable of manipulating souls. Not only can she extract souls from people's bodies, but she can also forcibly insert souls into them. And it's not limited to human bodies—even inanimate objects can be affected by her power, gaining consciousness. What you're hoping for is to become living humans, right?"
"Yes! I... I want to become a real, living person. Bella and I have been living in our brother's mind for forty years. We want... we want to truly live!"
Jorna's voice trembled, tears welling up in her soul-form eyes.
"Linlin-sama, we beg you... turn us into living humans. We'll serve you faithfully, we'll repay your kindness!" Bella, who had been silent until now, mustered the courage to speak.
Caesar and Linlin exchanged glances, silently communicating.
Both understood what the other was thinking.
Finally, Caesar spoke solemnly, "I can promise you this—I will make you into living humans, allowing you to exist as human in this world."
His words struck Jorna and Bella like lightning.
Their bodies shook violently, tears streaming down their soul-formed faces.
Overcome with emotion, the two girls rushed to Caesar.
To his surprise, they each kissed one of his cheeks.
It felt cool.
Linlin felt a twinge of jealousy.
'You two little brats, if you want to become living humans, it's my power that will make your dream come true. Why are you crowding around Caesar?'
'And right in front of me, his lawful wife, you dare kiss my husband?'
'And both of you at the same time?!'
The next moment, the two girls flew back and landed on Linlin's face, showering her with kisses as well.
"Dad... Daddy! Mommy!"
Thud!
Caesar face-planted onto the ground, sending Teach's unconscious body flying.
Linlin's jaw dropped, her eyes wide with shock.
Jorna and Bella, their cheeks flushed, spoke in unison: "We want to be your daughters! As for Teach, his past life and experiences were full of misfortune too. If you really plan to alter his memories, then replace Dottore as our father—become our daddy and mommy for both him and us!"
Caesar pulled his head out of the dirt, dusted off his face, coughed once, and then speak slowly.
"You need to think carefully. Even if you agree now, we can't immediately turn you into living humans. Do you understand what I mean?"
Jorna was sharp.
From Caesar and Linlin's earlier conversation, she had already grasped what Caesar wanted.
Without hesitation, she nodded solemnly. "I know! You... Daddy, you want a top-tier fighter. Teach possesses dual Devil Fruit abilities, making him the perfect candidate. If we separate from him now, we'd take away one of the fruits—the Tremor-Tremor Fruit might even vanish. Even if it doesn't, with my personality and talent, I wouldn't be able to unleash its full power. So, my sister and I still need to stay inside Teach's mind for now. Am I... right?"
Caesar looked at her approvingly and nodded.
"Exactly. You're very clever. If you cooperate with us, within two or three years at most, Linlin will help fulfill your wish—to become living humans and live with us! So, tell me, what's your choice?"
"Two or three years... huh? Heh. Even though Bella and I want to leave now, to become flesh-and-blood humans—to taste the sweetness and bitterness of food, to smell the fragrance of flowers, to have our own bodies, to run on the ground, to feel the sea breeze..."
Jorna's face was filled with deep longing as she bowed deeply to Caesar and Linlin.
"We accept! We've already lived inside our brother's mind for forty years. Another two or three years—or even longer—won't matter. At least you've given us hope! Thank you! Rest assured, we'll cooperate fully and won't interfere with Teach's new memories."
The round-faced Bella nodded eagerly like a chick pecking at rice.
Caesar and Linlin exchanged glances and nodded in agreement.
"Then, I'll begin."
Caesar steeled himself, deciding to give the two pitiful girls a chance—and in doing so, offering Teach a chance at rebirth.
"Are you ready? I'm sending you back now." Linlin's voice suddenly softened, carrying a motherly warmth.
Jorna and Bella held hands, and at the same time, they grasped Teach's spiritual form.
"We're ready, Mommy. Goodbye—we hope to meet again soon, in another way!" Jorna flashed a radiant smile.
Linlin's outstretched hand hesitated slightly, as if reluctant.
Caesar raised an eyebrow.
Who would have thought that in just these few short minutes, Jorna and Bella, who had only just met Linlin, would win her affection.
Truly, the world is unpredictable.
"Mamamama, don't you two worry. Mom and Dad will free you very soon. And with Mom's abilities, she can often bring you out to play," Linlin said gently with a soft laugh.
Jorna and Bella were taken aback, then both grew teary-eyed, as if remembering the mother they'd never met.
"Yes! Thank you, Mom! And thank you, Dad!" The two girls smiled and waved at Caesar and Linlin.
Suppressing the reluctance in her heart, Linlin closed her eyes and sent the three souls back into Teach's mind.
Caesar stood up, gently cradling Linlin in his arms and patting her back.
"Cheer up, Linlin. Soon, you'll have another son and two more daughters."