"Th-that... Lord Imu, and Lords Five Elders, I... I've cooperated with the World Government for decades!"
"Wouldn't it be more in everyone's interests for me to be 'Big Mom'?!"
Seeing disaster close at hand, Carmel desperately suppressed her fear and shouted at the Five Elders' backs.
It was no wonder she behaved so miserably.
In her soul state, she possessed neither ability nor strength.
Even the Soul-Soul Fruit's powers were, according to the characteristics of Devil Fruits, bound to Charlotte Linlin's body.
Back when she had still been the Soul-Soul Fruit user,
in order to take over a body, she had voluntarily used the Soul-Soul Fruit's unique awakened ability, temporarily attaching its power to her soul.
After her soul entered Charlotte Linlin's body, the Soul-Soul Fruit's power naturally became part of that body.
In other words, it altered her Lineage Factor, while she herself fell into a period of slumber.
After awakening, she successfully suppressed Linlin's soul—or rather, personality—deep within and became the one in control of that powerful body.
But whether it was talent, strength, or the Soul-Soul Fruit's power, they all ultimately belonged to Charlotte Linlin's body.
Carmel, separated from that body, had effectively lost everything.
That was one of the risks of taking over a body.
Then again, if she had not encountered Imu, pulling her out of Linlin's body would likely have been no easy task.
"..."
Yet in response to Carmel's hysterical cries,
the Five Elders ahead of her did not say a word.
Their backs looked utterly cold and merciless.
Although they also found Carmel easier to communicate with than the kind and innocent Linlin,
Imu seemed more interested in the latter.
So there was nothing they could do.
Go die.
While Carmel continued babbling desperately, fighting for even the slightest chance to survive,