Just like that,
Buggy the Clown Emperor, one of the Five Emperors of the Sea and the "Thousand-Armed Clown,"
formally stepped into the center of the world stage.
Inside Cross Guild's core conference room,
Crocodile sat at her desk, studying several intelligence reports spread across it. Mihawk, meanwhile, practiced and refined his swordsmanship every day, just as he had when he was with Austin.
As for their "leader," Buggy,
they had sent him out to work, to build a main battle warship for Cross Guild.
"Tch..."
Crocodile set down the report in her hand, frowning as she held her cigar between her fingers.
Noticing her unusual expression, Mihawk looked over. They were old acquaintances, so he asked directly,
"What is it?"
Crocodile handed him the report.
"This sea is really getting lively. It seems Austin is stirring up trouble in Wano Country again."
Mihawk thought for a moment.
"If I remember correctly... isn't that Kaido's territory?"
"It's not just Kaido. Even the Big Mom Pirates have joined in now. It seems they've formed a two-Emperor alliance and are preparing for a decisive battle against the rookie alliance led by Straw Hat Luffy."
Crocodile sighed, then seemed to think of something and asked Mihawk,
"What role do you think Austin is playing by getting involved?"
"Is he siding with Straw Hat Luffy's alliance, or with Kaido and Big Mom?"
"Austin..."
That question really made him think for a while. In the end, he came to a fairly certain answer.
"If I had to guess, probably neither.
With his personality, he'll probably make both sides join forces against him."
"Hahahahahaha!!!"
A rare smile appeared on Crocodile's gloomy face.
"Really... exactly what I was thinking."
Amid her musings, Crocodile also felt a growing sense of urgency.
Even the Emperors of the Sea had