Victor smoked as he looked at Kong and Sengoku. "I know Uncle Sengoku is very dissatisfied with the way I handle things. However, I respect you as an elder."
Kong and Sengoku continued listening.
Victor turned to Sengoku and asked, "Uncle Sengoku, may I ask you something? If we followed conventional methods and procedures, could we have recovered the Devil Fruit?"
Sengoku did not answer.
Victor looked at Kong again.
Kong reached for a cigar on the table, lit it, and took a gentle puff. "I know what you want to say. Indeed, you succeeded this time, but things won't go so smoothly every time."
Victor cut in, "If we do things by the rules and follow the proper procedures, at least nothing will go wrong, right?"
Kong hummed. "Fortunately, the evidence in this case was conclusive. Otherwise, it would have had serious repercussions."
"I understand, I understand." Victor chuckled. "The Marines and the World Government care about their reputation."
Kong and Sengoku both fell silent.
Victor had recovered the Devil Fruit.
What else could they say?
"All right. Since this matter has been resolved, let's leave it at that. I'll give you the report in a couple of days."
Victor did not press the matter. After speaking, he rose and left.
As he watched Victor walk away, a faint smile appeared on Kong's face, while Sengoku's expression darkened.
"I really never expected you to have a competitor."
Kong smiled at Sengoku.
Sengoku remained silent.
Kong continued, "Still, don't take it to heart. The Gorosei will make the final decision."
"Mm." Sengoku nodded.
At that moment, Kong burned the report on the table and tossed it into the ashtray.
This thing could not be allowed to remain.
The Marines still had to save face.
Internal discord could only remain a