The Cross Guild Is Officially Established!

"No! Daddy!"

Edward Weevil clutched the hem of his shirt tightly, his face showing an incredulous and aggrieved expression, looking like a large dog suddenly abandoned by its owner.

"Why? Daddy! Don't you want me anymore?"

Over the past few decades.

Buckingham Stussy had been indoctrinating Edward Weevil.

Even when Edward Weevil was sleeping, Buckingham Stussy would whisper in his ear—

"You are Whitebeard's son, and you are the only one who can inherit Whitebeard's wealth."

Decades have passed.

Edward Weevil believed Buckingham Stussy's words without a doubt.

You could even say that...

Edward Weevil's purpose in life was to become Whitebeard's son and then inherit his father's fortune...

But now.

Edward Weevil felt as if the sky was about to fall.

Meeting my father for the first time, and having a happy and fulfilling family—two joyful things happening at the same time—should have been a dreamlike, magical moment...

Why did it turn out this way?

"Dad, look!"

Edward Weevil stroked his Whitebeard as if showing off.

"Our beards are exactly the same! I have Whitebeard too! I am your son!"

Until this very moment.

Edward Weevil couldn't even figure out the true identity of the "Clay Weevil" opposite him.

"White Dragon, what are you doing?"

Mihawk found Storm's actions utterly incomprehensible.

"Are you... playing a fool?"

Mihawk had figured it out completely.

Edward Weevil, the so-called "Whitebeard the Third," only inherited the Physique and strength of the young Whitebeard, but not Whitebeard wisdom.

Edward Weevil possesses high skill levels, but his intelligence can only be described as...

Roughly equivalent to mentally challenged.

Mihawk was greatly disappointed with "Whitebeard the Third" and had completely given up the idea of challenging him.

His anticipation for the yet-to-be-met "Whitebeard the Second" plummeted due to Edward Weevil's lackluster performance.

Whitebeard the Third was a fool...

What, then, would Whitebeard the Second. be?

But.

Regardless of Mihawk's views on "Whitebeard II" and "Whitebeard the Third".

Regardless of Edward Weevil's actual intelligence level.

None of this is a reason for the White Dragon to toy with this fool!

"I wasn't 'playing with' him."

Storm didn't look at Mihawk and answered casually.

"To be precise, I want to take his 'ownership' back from his 'mother'."

Edward Weevil was indeed not very intelligent.

Storm knew this too.

He just didn't know that this guy's intelligence level was so low...

To be fair...

There are indeed many villains, bad guys, trash, and scum on the sea.

However, there are differences between different kinds of dregs.

Some scum are born evil, so bad that they are beyond redemption.

Some scum are manipulated into becoming "villains".

Edward Weevil stood out even among a group of rubbish.

According to Storm...

Edward Weevil was indeed a pirate who committed unforgivable crimes.

But.

That's a fool.

A fool who lacks even the most basic ability to make his own decisions.

Edward Weevil's life was constantly being manipulated by Buckingham Stussy.

In other words...

Edward Weevil was merely a "tool".

Such a silly tool.

Storm had no intention of eliminating his opponent.

In his eyes, Buckingham Stussy was far more despicable than Edward Weevil!

But Edward Weevil was a "good boy" who believed Buckingham Stussy's words wholeheartedly.

A fool, a fool's tool, a fool's tool mama's boy...

Storm did not intend to let Edward Weevil remain with Buckingham Stussy.

That would only cause harm to the ocean.

Storm intends to take over "custody" of Edward Weevil.

Mihawk wasn't too impressed with White Dragon's explanation; he interpreted Storm's meaning through a more "pirate" lens.

"You've taken a liking to Edward Weevil's power, so you want to recruit him as your subordinate."

"That's one way to understand it!"

Storm readily admitted it.

"Number Two, do you want to come over here?"

"You've tried it, my dragon, it's big and convenient."

"... boring."

Mihawk's lips twitched violently a few times, then he stopped interfering with the White Dragon's actions.

The White Dragon's method of recruiting Edward Weevil was somewhat despicable.

However, compared to that, Mihawk still loathed Buckingham Stussy, who had previously abandoned Edward Weevil without hesitation!

Not to mention.

Wasn't White Dragon always such a despicable guy?

Storm ended his conversation with Mihawk and turned his attention back to Edward Weevil.

He doesn't like repeating the same thing twice.

But Edward Weevil's mind really isn't working properly...

"I am not your father, Weevil."

Clay Weevil repeated the sentence.

"Your power, your bloodline, your genes, all come from the real Edward Newgate with the Whitebeard!"

"Whitebeard is your father!"

"Whitebeard?"

Edward Weevil stopped stroking his crescent-shaped beard, staring blankly at the clay Weevil with his large eyes.

"Aren't you Whitebeard? Aren't you my father?"

Explaining something to an idiot is really difficult...

Storm sighed inwardly, but then he suddenly realized something.

Why did he need to explain this to Edward Weevil?

"Weevil."

Clay Weevil raised his right hand and released another huge lump of clay, shaping it into a tall and sturdy clay hut.

"Go inside and get some sleep! When you wake up, you'll see a completely different 'New World'."

What "bloodline," what "genes," what "New World"...

Edward Weevil understood none of it.

However, he can understand the word "sleep".

Since his father told him to go to sleep, he should go to sleep.

Edward Weevil strode toward the clay hut that had suddenly appeared, entered it without realizing it, and began to snore loudly.

"Snoring... snoring..."

In less than a few seconds.

A deafeningly loud snoring sound came from the clay hut.

Edward Weevil fell into a deep sleep.

After resolving this "big problem," Storm used the power of the Clay Fruit to grab Buckingham Stussy, who had just been carried over by Edward Weevil.

He originally intended to execute this "remnant of the Old Era" on the spot.

However, recalling Crocodile's previous reaction, he stopped in time.

Storm brought the unconscious Buckingham Stussy to Crocodile's side and then forcibly awakened the "desert crocodile".

Crocodile awoke from his coma, still feeling a sharp, twisting pain in his lower abdomen.

Storm's "Abdominal Punch" is still having a lingering impact.

"Mixed White Dragon..."

Crocodile looked up at the sky, having lost count of how many times he had said those words.

"Crocodile, wake up, get up!"

Storm's voice reached Crocodile's ears at just the right moment.

Do you still want this woman?

Wife?

Crocodile was startled and immediately tried to sit up straight.

However, a strange sensation coming from below directly hindered his movements.

A giant Banana Crocodile, nearly several meters long, tried to sit up, but was blocked by its thick tail, causing its entire body to fold into a peculiar arc in mid-air.

Click!

Mihawk, standing nearby, captured this scene perfectly.

Crocodile, however, paid no attention to the commotion coming from Hawk Eyes's side; he stared incredulously at the incredibly thick Banana Crocodile tail that had appeared beneath him.

He wanted to touch it, but then withdrew his hand—no!

Hand?

Crocodile stared at his short, thick crocodile claw, and his mind went completely blank.

Click--click--

Mihawk made full use of his keen eyesight and seized the opportunity to take several pictures in succession.

Crocodile was stunned for a full half minute before he barely regained his senses.

Although he didn't know what was going on.

But his keen intuition immediately identified the suspect—

"Mixed White Dragon!"

The Banana Crocodile opened its gaping maw and roared at Storm.

What did you do to me?

"A tiny, insignificant 'enhancement'."

"Storm asked with great interest."

"I didn't have a chance to ask Hawk Eyes before, but now I can ask you."

"How are you feeling right now? Um, to put it more clearly..."

Do you think that crocodile tail is 'grown' on you, or 'attached' to you?

Storm is actually quite interested in this question.

The Eight-Star [Clay Fruit] allows him to reshape other life forms at will, according to his wishes.

But what's the difference between this acquired shape change granted by Devil Fruit ability and innate physical characteristics?

Can the "Clay Person" modified by Storm possess corresponding body manipulation abilities?

For example, Mihawk.

Can the harpy he transforms into fly with wings?

Take Crocodile for example.

Can this "Banana Crocodile" use its tail to whip its target?

"Hawk Eyes..."

Crocodile instantly realized something from Storm's words.

He wasn't the only one who had been "modified" by White Dragon; the World's Greatest Swordsman was also among them!

Crocodile glanced at Mihawk.

Mihawk, who had just been enthusiastically taking pictures of the Sand Crocodile, suddenly turned ashen-faced.

Everyone has a past they'd rather forget...

Being transformed into a "half-human, half-eagle" by the White Dragon is Mihawk's most embarrassing past.

Crocodile had gleaned some information from Mihawk's changing expression, and his mood improved as a result.

As long as I'm not the only one suffering, then there's no problem.

Yeah, right!

Crocodile banished these distracting thoughts.

His combat experience is also very rich.

He had realized that his transformation stemmed from White Dragon's Devil Fruit ability.

For any Devil Fruit ability, Armament Haki is its natural enemy!

Crocodile mustered his strength and unleashed his [Haki], hoping to directly dispel Storm's power.

However.

What Mihawk once accomplished.

Crocodile, however, could not do that.

Even when Crocodile unleashed his Armament Haki, he was unable to dispel the shape-shifting effect that Storm had placed on his body. Instead, it was as if a solid layer of Armament Haki had wrapped around his crocodile scales.

"What a pity, Crocodile."

Storm's sarcastic remarks reached Crocodile's ears.

"It seems your [Haki] can't dispel my power!"

Haki ability to control, but it is not absolute.

Storm's [Clay Fruit] ability development level has reached Eight-Star.

Crocodile's [Haki] is still a long way from being at the Eight-Star.

In this case.

Crocodile's [Haki] naturally couldn't dispel Storm's ability.

In comparison.

Mihawk's [Haki] is stronger, so he can directly dispel that "harpy" form.

Crocodile saw that even with the eruption of Haki, he had no way to dispel the power.

He panicked.

He was really anxious.

"Vongola Storm!"

Crocodile gritted his teeth and glared at Storm, calling out the latter's full name.

"Get rid of that damn power of yours right now!"

"Then, what's the price?"

Storm tilted his head, completely unfazed by Sand Crocodile's angry expression.

"What price are you willing to pay for me to remove this ability?"

Crocodile wanted to say that he would be willing to let that bastard White Dragon die immediately, as long as he could get rid of this bizarre crocodile form!

But Storm was right in front of him.

Crocodile ultimately did not say those words.

This time, he was simply transformed into Banana Crocodile.

Who knows what that bastard White Dragon will turn him into next?

Crocodile paused for a moment, then passed the buck back to White Dragon.

What do you want?

"Crocodile, look how nice the weather is today."

Storm suddenly uttered a seemingly inexplicable remark, but his next sentence revealed his true intentions.

"Isn't this a good day to form an alliance?"

Recruiting Crocodile... is quite difficult.

Even though Storm has a handle on Crocodile, he isn't very confident he can recruit him.

Then we have no choice but to settle for second best.

Recruiting didn't work.

Let's switch to cooperation!

"An alliance?"

Crocodile glanced at his crocodile tail.

Given the current situation, you want to form an alliance with me?

That damned White Dragon bastard!

Crocodile was unwilling to give an immediate answer; he glanced at Mihawk, who seemed indifferent to the situation.

"Hawk Eyes, what are your thoughts?"

"I?"

Mihawk replied curtly.

"This is between the two of you—"

Mihawk hadn't finished speaking.

Suddenly, a very beautiful photograph appeared in Storm's hand.

"Mihawk, look."

Storm waved the harpy portrait in his hand, seemingly extending an invitation sincerely.

"The crocodile is 'sand,' and you are 'eagle.' When you two are combined, you become a 'desert eagle'!"

"What a wonderful name! It sounds incredibly powerful."

Mihawk didn't want to talk.

He simply reached out and touched the hilt of the [Black Blade Night] behind him.

He now wants to fulfill his previous promise.

Slay the White Dragon!

And at this time...

Crocodile, who had just been looking furious, was the first to calm down.

Since things had come to this point, and he couldn't immediately extricate himself from this awkward situation, he could only consider more practical issues.

Although White Dragon is a complete scoundrel, he is indeed extremely powerful...

Hawk Eyes goes without saying; the title of the World's Greatest Swordsman certainly carries weight...

If there were an organization that absorbed both White Dragon and Hawk Eyes...

Crocodile suddenly realized that he didn't seem to need to search for any Ancient Weapon to obtain power comparable to that of the Yonko!

"Hawk Eyes!"

Crocodile looked at Mihawk and said in a deep voice.

"Although White Dragon is a bastard, what he said makes a lot of sense..."

"The three of us together will form a powerful organization that the whole world cannot ignore."

"Sand Crocodile."

Mihawk stopped drawing his sword and calmly looked at Crocodile.

"I know you; you never trust anyone, and neither do I."

"I can't trust either you or White Dragon."

"But..."

Crocodile let out a soft chuckle.

Doesn't this just prove that we happen to be 'the same kind'?

"Since they're 'pirates,' they should naturally 'group together like birds of a feather'!"

"As for the White Dragon..."

Crocodile looked at Storm and raised his crocodile claws again.

"Weren't you also under his control? You should have experienced this guy's strength firsthand, right?"

Mihawk fell silent.

"Gentlemen, I once said this to someone else, and now I'll tell you about it."

Storm spoke up at the opportune moment.

"The so-called 'pirates' can act together as long as their interests align."

"Although the three of us are all 'Shichibukai'."

"But from an outsider's perspective, we're just pirates."

"Since we are pirates, our 'fundamental interests' are aligned."

"From this point of view, we already have a basis for cooperation, don't we?"

Crocodile nodded in agreement.

Mihawk remained silent for a while before finally speaking with difficulty.

"The World Government would never want to see three Shichibukai) together!"

"When has Hawk Eyes ever cared about the opinions of the World Government?"

Storm gave a sarcastic laugh, and then he continued.

"Besides, why should the World Government know about our alliance?"

"If the three of us know, then we'll know."

"Furthermore, we're forming an organization, not a pirate crew; it's just a loose alliance."

Storm has made his point clear.

Mihawk had no reason to refuse.

Although he still distrusts the White Dragon and the Sand Crocodile.

But adults only look at their own interests.

Just as Crocodile said.

The mere fact that these three Shichibukai) together was enough to shock the entire ocean.

From this perspective, joining this loose alliance wouldn't be a loss...

Mihawk looked at Storm and extended his right hand.

"Photo!"

Storm raised an eyebrow and tossed a thick stack of photos of "Harpies" to Mihawk.

Seeing this transaction, Crocodile couldn't sit still any longer.

"Where are my photos? You two bastards!"

Mihawk said nothing, but simply showed all the photos of the "desert crocodile" he had just taken.

The same goes for Storm.

"Sand Crocodile, destroy them! Just in case, use your power."

Mihawk looked at Crocodile and gave him a direct reminder.

"It's 'Erosion Cycle'!"

"Hello, hello, hello..."

Several dark lines appeared on Storm's forehead.

"Destroying a few photos using the Erosion Cycle? Aren't you making a mountain out of a molehill?"

But it's quite obvious.

Crocodile didn't think it was making a mountain out of a molehill.

He unleashed the power of the Suna Suna no Mi, completely destroying the stacks of photos of the "Harpie" and the "Desert Crocodile," leaving not a trace.

"In that case, our organization can be considered established!"

Storm spoke first.

"What should we call our organization? How about 'Stormguard Legion'?"

"It sounds awful!"

Crocodile refused outright, glancing at Mihawk, his gaze lingering for a moment on the cross-shaped [Black Blade Night].

"How about calling it the 'Cross Guild'!"

Cross Guild?

Storm's lips twitched.

Crocodile, Eagle, and me?

So who am I?

Storm decisively refused.

"No way! This name is too ordinary! And it doesn't have any Haki presence at all!"

Mihawk hadn't had any ideas at first.

However, seeing White Dragon's unequivocal opposition, he immediately cast a vote in favor.

"I agree! Cross Guild, a very good name!"

Two against one.

The objection was overruled.

The Cross Guild was officially established.

Fifth watch, 19,000 words, please subscribe!

It's already 2 AM...

Goodnight everyone.

There are still 10 updates missing.