It's true that Vic wants to invite the two of them onto the warship. Regardless of the two of them, either one would be a win. Franky hasn't become a cyborg yet, so their shipbuilding skills should be about the same!
However, Franky became more well-rounded after becoming a cyborg. Both of them were top-notch shipwrights, but they just wanted Vic to persuade the World Government to spare Tom's life. Vic didn't have that kind of influence yet.
Of course, asking the old man for help would definitely solve the problem. Tom was implicated in the incident, and the World Government was just trying to deter others. Otherwise, they wouldn't have pardoned Tom because of the Sea Train incident.
This matter could be a big deal or a small deal, but Vic already owes the old man too many favors, and he really doesn't want to ask again.
Furthermore, Vic wants to see the Sea Train born on this vast ocean. If he's exonerated now, will Tom still be determined to complete the Sea Train?
Anyway, Tom still has a few years before his death. In those years, Vic believes he can achieve a higher position in the Navy and then come back to rescue Tom. He can also kidnap Franky while he's at it. It's more important to leave Iceburg on the island and transform Water 7!
"My current position isn't high enough. Although I'm Rear Admiral at headquarters, I don't have much say. If I become Marine Admiral, that won't be a big problem. I believe it won't take long. Can you wait for me?"
While Vic was speaking, his hands didn't stop; he kept turning the meat ribs over, and the meat sizzled as it was grilled, filling the air with its aroma.
However, Vic's words are not very convincing at the moment. If there were three Logia Admiral who had made a name for themselves before him, Vic's Logia would be more convincing.
Whether a new Marine Admiral would be needed at that time was uncertain. Even if a new admiral was needed, it would have to wait until the Admiral retired. No one had that much time to wait, and Tom was even less likely to do so. So it was a very contradictory issue.
"I haven't sunk so low as to betray my disciples. There's still time. As long as we build the Sea Train within the deadline, I'll be fine."
And you two, you haven't even mastered the techniques yet, so stop messing things up for Brother Vic! Kokoro, what are you making today? It smells so good!
Just as Vic finished speaking, Tom's voice came from the stairwell. He had hidden the Pluton Blueprints in what he considered a safe and secret place, but Vic didn't care anymore; he had already scanned them all.
Although the Sea Train is still nowhere to be seen, Tom remains confident, and as a man of his stature, he would rather sacrifice himself than let his disciple go against his will to save him.
Call it stubbornness or obstinacy, but that's his inner conviction, and that's what makes Tom so charming. Vic may not be able to do that, but that doesn't stop him from admiring such a person.
"I believe Mr. Tom can definitely make the Sea Train. The meat needs to be roasted a little longer. Mr. Tom, please sit down and wait a while!"
Vic knew the future, so he naturally knew that Tom and his apprentice had built the Sea Train. However, building it and surviving it were not entirely causally related. In the end, Tom still died. It was such a pity that such a talented person was killed by that incompetent Spandam!
"Hey! I knew it smelled so good! Turns out it's Brother Vic grilling meat. But how do you do that? Where does the heat from that hot plate come from?"
Tom doesn't know that Vic is a Logia Fruit user. If he did, he might be able to guess something, given his age and experience; it wouldn't be surprising if he made some assumptions. But Iceburg and Franky, those two silly boys, haven't noticed this yet.
"Yeah, Brother Vic! What kind of high-tech stuff is this? Can you tell us about it?"
Franky snapped out of his daze and noticed the strong aroma of meat in the air, causing him to swallow hard.
He hadn't considered Vic's abilities, assuming it was some kind of technological product, since Vic had only lightly placed a finger on the baking tray without any obvious movement.
Although Iceburg and Kokoro didn't speak, they were also drawn to Tom's words and curiously watched the piece of meat that Vic was turning over in his hands.
This method of roasting meat out of thin air is no different from turning stone into gold. However, there are still many ways to achieve this in this world. There are quite a few people who can generate fire. Regardless of their strength, they can still generate enough heat to roast meat.
"I am Logia Rumble-Rumble Fruit -Devil Fruit User, so I can use lightning to smelt metal. Naturally, I can heat this metal grill pan to grill meat. Don't be surprised, everyone. Here, these ribs and steaks are all grilled. Everyone, eat this first."
Vic explained it to the group again, then sprinkled the seasoning on the grilled ribs and distributed them to everyone.
However, he didn't stop what he was doing. After the grill was empty, he continued his barbecue business. People in this world can eat a lot. A few pieces of meat are not enough to fill them up, not to mention there is Tom, the tall Fish-Man. The group of people will probably eat quite a lot.
"Lightning power? Can it be used for heating?"
Tom muttered to himself, as if he had thought of something. He unconsciously sat down at the table, threw the whole steak into his mouth, and chewed it without caring that it was too hot. His eyes were vacant as if he were lost in his own world.
"So it's using Devil Fruit ability, how convenient!"
Kokoro, who manages the studio's logistics, naturally envies such abilities, as they can save a lot of trouble.
She cut off a piece of Vic's grilled meat and put it in her mouth. The grilled meat was tender and juicy, fatty but not greasy, and the aroma of the meat lingered in her mind.
She felt as if she had returned to her youth, swimming freely in the ocean, her whole body enveloped in the gentle seawater. It was a feeling she hadn't experienced in a long time. When Kokoro came to her senses, she realized that she had already eaten the entire steak.
Iceburg didn't eat the steak on his plate because everyone else had. These pieces of meat were brought out by Vic, and he was still a little worried. If something unexpected happened, at least he would be the only one who was conscious.
He didn't consider that with Vic's strength, he could easily overpower them all, so there was really no need to do this. Franky, on the other hand, started shouting and yelling after taking the first bite, completely captivated by the taste.
This earned him a look of disdain from Iceburg. "Is it really that delicious? Can you exaggerate any more?" In the end, seeing that Iceburg wasn't eating, Franky snatched his portion and ate it himself.
Vic's proficiency not only enhances his Haki, but also allows him to hone his culinary skills. Moreover, with his Observation Haki and Life Return, he has an exceptionally thorough understanding of all kinds of ingredients, inside and out.
In addition, he can control the electric heating as he pleases, which is why he can make such perfect roasted meat. It's just that he doesn't do it much anymore, but the old man still often secretly asks him to cook for him. He doesn't need to go to the kitchen; he can do it secretly anywhere.