Finn chose [Yes] in his heart.
The next instant, his soul was yanked away, racing hundreds of kilometers in a single second until he arrived in Carolina City.
He found himself looking at Louis, a man who carried himself like a noble, lounging on the sofa as if he owned the world.
Mr. Charlotte sat across from him in a chair. In public the man always looked serious and composed, but here in private he seemed almost submissive.
Finn wondered if Louis was some kind of hidden big shot. Why else would Mr. Charlotte treat him with such respect and trust his advice enough to send his own daughter to a complete stranger?
The usual Sub_Script window appeared in front of him.
[Sub_Script_C001 is starting. Please choose the decision that Louis needs to make.]
[Mr. Charlotte is sitting in front of you, waiting for what you are about to say. What would you say?]
[Decision_1: Tell him about Mother Carmel and her location.
Reward: Carolina City would finally be rid of Charlotte Linlin. Carmel and many future agents will die within a year. You will help create a Yonko alongside Cerracotta, Jorul will die. For helping you choose, Finn's hybrid form will grow to 150 meters, gain Linlin's superhuman physical strength, and Charm +100.]
[Decision_2: Tell him to send her to the World Government.
Reward: Carolina City would finally be rid of Charlotte Linlin. Carmel will live another decade. The children from the Sheep's House will become future masked agents. Charlotte Linlin would join the God's Knights. Jorul would not die. Finn's hybrid form will grow to 100 meters, gain 75% of Linlin's superhuman physical strength, and Charm +75.]
[Decision_3: Tell him to let her stay in Carolina City.
Reward: Carolina City would suffer from Charlotte Linlin for a few more years. Carmel will live another decade. The children from the Sheep's House will become future masked agents. Charlotte Linlin would eventually join the Navy after seeing their heroic deeds. Jorul would not die. Finn's hybrid form will grow to 50 meters, gain half of Linlin's superhuman physical strength, and Charm +50.]
[Decision_4: Tell him to send her to Finn Ashford.
Reward: Carolina City would finally be rid of Charlotte Linlin. Carmel will live another decade. Carmel would lose her Devil Fruit power. The children from the Sheep's House will work for Finn. Charlotte Linlin would see Finn as her new dearest person. Jorul would not die. Finn's hybrid form will grow to 25 meters, gain a third of Linlin's superhuman physical strength, and Charm +25.]
Finn scanned the options. Decision_1 was obviously the original timeline, so he ruled it out immediately.
How could he let a gentle soul like Mother Carmel die, along with those innocent children and even the brave warrior Jorul?
No matter how tempting the rewards were, he refused to sacrifice their lives.
He had already promised himself he would fix those kinds of tragedies. That was simply the kind of person he was.
Decisions 2 and 3 were also out. He had no intention of handing a future powerhouse over to either the World Government or the Navy.
After all, he hadn't let Elbaph gain one, so why would he let other forces gain one?
That left only one real choice. He would have to take her in himself.
Of course, if he joined the Navy, Linlin following him would not be a problem, since she is under his watch.
Conquering the world from within the Navy is the safest path an ambitious person should take…
He picked Decision_4 without hesitation.
The moment he made his choice, a surge of power rushed through his body and soul.
His height shot up from 2.2 meters to 2.6 meters, and he could feel his hybrid form had grown to a full 25 meters tall.
Back in Louis' room, the man had been about to mention Carmel and her kind nature when a flood of new information suddenly filled his mind.
"I know someone who could raise Linlin properly and give her a good life," Louis said, his expression turning serious as he looked at Mr. Charlotte.
"Really? Who?" Charlotte asked, leaning forward with clear interest.
"His name is Finn Ashford. He's a powerful man living in Paradise. Even though he's incredibly strong, he prefers a quiet life among ordinary people. I was lucky enough to meet him a few years ago at his bar in Sabaody Archipelago. The Navy Marshal himself was there, practically begging Finn to become an Admiral, but he turned the offer down," Louis explained.
Charlotte looked genuinely surprised.
"Though he looks young, no one really knows his true age. He's raised many children over the years. Most of the ones he took in ended up as vice admirals in the Navy, successful merchants, or were recruited by the World Government for their talents," Louis added.
"Then I'll take Linlin to him right away," Charlotte said, standing up with visible excitement.
For the first time, he saw hope in his daughter, maybe when she grows up, he could use her to build connections in the future…
"That's up to you. He runs a bar in Sabaody Archipelago called Finn's Rip-off Bar. Just hand Linlin over to manager Nefertari and send Mr Finn 100 million berries as a visiting gift, then come straight back," Louis instructed.
Finn was surprised by the background the system made for him.
The moment the words left Louis' mouth, Finn's soul snapped back into his body.
Estrid is still sleeping, and her maids are cooking or cleaning, so he focused on the screen in front of him.
["Big Mom's Debut Event" has ended. Because the host took control of Louis' decisions in Sub_Script_C001, you will bear some of Louis', Carmel's, Linlin's, and Streusen's fates. Three fates will be forced upon you, while you may choose two to reject:]
[1. Raise Linlin for a year]
[2. Guarding the Soul-Soul Fruit for Linlin]
[3. Being killed by Linlin]
[4. Cook for Linlin]
[5. Take the Sheep's House kids too]
Finn leaned back in his rocking chair and studied the list.
The first fate had originally belonged to Mother Carmel, so he accepted it without complaint.
The second one was simple enough. He was already guarding one Devil Fruit, so what was one more?
He rejected the third fate immediately. No way was he letting himself get killed by his future adopted daughter.
He also rejected the fourth. He had zero interest in playing house chef just to impress someone, He is not like those novel protagonists, winning women with food..
That left him with the fifth fate. He would take in the children from the Sheep's House and give them jobs in his growing businesses, he can't always rely on the Nefertari family to manage his business.