The Cross Guild was in some ways, a complete accident. So What is the Cross Guild anyway? As always, alliances are constantly forming in the dangerous world that is One Piece. Teamwork isn’t just an asset. It’s basically mandatory. Basically, every solo act takes an absolute beating by the end of the arc. Even (Spoiler Alert) Imu has the Five Elders to play with occasionally, which should be enough to validate the argument. Anyway, lately a lot of new fans are asking what is the Cross Guild ? Here’s why it came to be, and why it might be important later.
Rise Of The Warlords
The Cross Guild stands as a formidable entity led by three exponents who once held esteemed positions within the Seven Warlords of the Sea: Buggy, Crocodile, and Dracule Mihawk. It’s an unlikely union that we’ll get into shortly. Their primary objective is to realize the unaccomplished “Operation Utopia,” an endeavor previously foiled under the leadership of Sir Crocodile. Functioning predominantly as a military force, the Cross Guild has solidified its status in pursuit of this ambition. Before we get into the process of forming this sub-crew, let’s briefly summarize the failed operation that led to this new exciting project.
Operation Utopia: Crocodile’s First Attempt
Crocodile orchestrated “Operation Utopia,” a strategic plan aimed at dethroning King Nefertari Cobra of the Arabasta Kingdom. His intention was to claim the kingdom’s throne for himself while also seizing the ancient weapon known as Pluton, rumored to be concealed within Arabasta. In pursuit of this goal, Crocodile enlisted the involvement of his criminal organization, Baroque Works. The members of this syndicate were put into action to execute the operation under Crocodile’s leadership. This endeavor was driven by Crocodile’s desire to establish a powerful “Utopia” that could stand against the authority of the World Government.
What Is Pluton In One Piece?
It’s worth briefly addressing Crocodile’s past prize. Pluton is a legendary ancient weapon in the One Piece world, possessing immense destructive capabilities. Said to be a colossal warship capable of unleashing catastrophic firepower, Pluton’s blueprints are highly sought-after by those seeking power. Hidden knowledge of its location is safeguarded to prevent misuse. Pluton represents the world’s history of powerful artifacts and the complexities of maintaining balance in the face of such overwhelming might. It truly exemplifies how far Crocodile was/is willing to go for his fanatical vision.
Crocodile vs Luffy
We’ll go into the details of Operation Utopia in another segment. Sufficed to say, The Straw Hats managed to thwart Crocodile’s plan. This ended with a fight between Luffy and Crocodile, where Crocodile lost miserably. The World Government stripped him of his titles, and he was left a husk of his former self. In some ways, fans can argue this was the best thing to happen for all parties involved. Crocodile was about to bounce back.
Crocodile Strikes Again
Despite initial setbacks, Sir Crocodile persisted in his quest to establish (what he believed to be) a utopia. Following the dissolution of the Seven Warlords system, Crocodile approached Dracule Mihawk, proposing a partnership to forge a new formidable entity called the Cross Guild, with them at the helm. Faced with financial constraints, Crocodile sought help from Buggy on Karai Bari Island. Having previously rescued Buggy from invading Marines, Crocodile called in a debt. Who could have predicted that a drinking pirate clown would have trouble with finances? Well, everyone except Crocodile. Unable to settle it, Buggy surrendered his organization, Buggy’s Delivery, as a foundation for the inception of the Cross Guild.
In addition to delivery services, an organization like the Cross Guild needs substantial capital. So, with that in mind, Crocodile and Mihawak came up with an alarmingly brilliant strategy.
Cross Guild vs Marines
Like a sophisticated chess match, the Cross Guild operates with the dual capacity of martial might and political sway, offering incentives for the acquisition of Marines. This shift forces the Marines to grapple not only with pirate assaults but also with threats from civilians and bounty hunters. Consequently, even esteemed Marines can find themselves betrayed by the very populace they safeguard. Though newspapers might censor the true reasons behind a Marine’s demise, this dynamic adds complexity to their interactions. The formation of this guild has created one big espionage sandwich and we’re all here for it.
Who Is The Leader of The Cross Guild?
While the official statement designates Buggy as the organization’s head, the actuality reveals a different narrative. The authentic architects, Mihawk and Crocodile, assume operational control, while Buggy maintains a symbolic leadership position, adept at diverting attention from the principal leadership. It’s a clever ruse, which highlights Crocodile’s ability to learn from his mistakes during Operation Utopia. Despite Buggy’s role in contributing to the group, he neither originated it nor solely leads it. Conclusively, The Cross Guild can be seen as a two-headed spear pointed at the World Government. Whether or no this is a good idea… remains to be seen.
Not all looks bad for Buggy. In fact, this might work out well for everyone. Buggy’s devoted crew, swept up in their renown, spontaneously crafted a brochure showcasing their captain as the primary figure in the Guild. This leaflet was dispersed globally before Buggy even had a chance to review it. Consequently, the World Government misunderstood the situation, mistaking Buggy as the head, consequently elevating him to the ranks of the new Four Emperors.
A Bright Future
Will the guild succeed in creating a Utopia? Probably not. Will they achieve great things? Well, they seem to be in the process of doing that right now. Putting a price on the head of your opponent is a masterful counter to an opposing bounty system. Crocodile and Mihawk continue to but heads with Buggy, but they are really only having issues with public image at the moment. That’s probably a small issue for the average pirate.
