Cross Guild

Cross Guild.

Storm had no idea that the "Cross Guild" would be born, even though it was several years ahead of schedule.

Despite the fact that the future "Cross Guild" was powerful and numerous, and was recognized by the sea as the new Pirate Emperor.

But when I think about the inside story of the formation of that "Cross Guild" and its leaders...

For some reason Storm felt that the name "Cross Guild" was very ominous.

But the more he opposed it...

Hawk Eyes and Sand Crocodile were increasingly in agreement.

The name of the Cross Guild was officially established.

Even though the organization currently only has three members, there is virtually no internal coercion.

However, the mere mention of the names White Dragon, Hawk Eyes, and Sand Crocodile together is enough to demonstrate the prestige of the "Cross Guild."

"White Dragon!"

Crocodile stared at Storm and said in a harsh tone.

"Quickly dispel your damn ability!"

Out of consideration for everyone working together, Storm deactivated his Clay- Clay Fruit ability.

Crocodile instantly shed his previous terrifying image as the "desert Banana Crocodile" and transformed back into the villainous gang leader with slicked-back hair and a thick cigar.

The Cross Guild has just been established.

There were virtually no rules, regulations, or organizational goals to speak of.

Whether it's Storm, who initiated it, Mihawk, or Crocodile, they all currently only see the "Cross Guild" as an organizational platform for contacting other Shichibukai.

As things stand at the moment.

The greatest significance of the Cross Guild should be "distinguishing between friend and foe".

This does roughly match the name "Cross Guild"...

As for the future.

Whether the Cross Guild can truly grow and become a powerful force remains to be seen.

It all depends on the future situation at sea...

Storm temporarily set aside the topic of the Cross Guild and looked at Buckingham Stussy, who was still unconscious beside him.

"Crocodile, neither I nor Mihawk need that old woman."

Storm unleashed a clay tentacle, grabbed Buckingham Stussy, and threw her in front of Crocodile.

"You decide what to do!"

Buckingham Stussy...

Crocodile glanced at the old woman at his feet.

He was about to take the other man's life, but then he remembered the "Whitebeard the Third" from earlier.

Crocodile frowned and crushed Buckingham Stussy's right leg with a single stomp.

Click--

A crisp cracking sound followed.

Buckingham Stussy snapped out of his coma, clutching her broken leg and wailing in agony.

"Ouch! It hurts so much!! My leg!!!"

"It's so noisy..."

Crocodile raised his hand and released a wisp of yellow sand, controlling it like a whip to lasso Buckingham Stussy's neck.

"I ask, you answer; if you utter even one extra word, you can go to hell to join Rocks!"

Buckingham Stussy felt the rough, abrasive sensation travel from the skin of his neck to his brain, forcibly enduring the excruciating pain, and nodded in silence.

Of course she knew who "Rocks" was.

Rocks D. Xebec, the former Captain of the Rocks Pirates, a guy who's been dead for decades...

Buckingham Stussy still has a lot of money he hasn't squandered.

She didn't want to die young.

The most painful thing in a person's life is dying before they've spent all their money.

Buckingham Stussy wants to live.

Crocodile glanced at Storm and Mihawk beside him.

Although he was unwilling to reveal his past to outsiders.

But at this moment, there's no time to worry about other trivial matters.

"Then..."

Crocodile gritted his teeth and asked sharply.

Why did the Rocks Pirates go to God Valley?!

God Valley?

Storm raised an eyebrow.

So it really is related to that island...?

"The Rocks Pirates, what a nostalgic name—I'll talk! I'll talk! Don't grab me by the neck!"

Buckingham Stussy sighed. She had intended to rely on her age for a while longer, but the sand rope around her neck suddenly tightened, almost snapping her neck bones on the spot.

"Ahem! The reason why Rocks decided to go to God Valley was because we received a signal from God Valley!"

"We heard that a large number of Celestial Dragons have gathered at the God Valley in the West Blue, so we decided to go there!"

"Celestial Dragons?"

Crocodile's eyes narrowed.

Why are the Rocks Pirates so concerned about the Celestial Dragons?

"Because the Celestial Dragons stole our treasure first!"

This time, Buckingham Stussy gave his answer without any hesitation.

"I don't know what that thing is for, but Rocks values it very much!"

"The Celestial Dragons stole it from Hachinosu Island, Rocks intends to take it back from the World Government!"

That's why we set our sights on the Celestial Dragons!

"I remember Rocks' original idea was to capture enough Celestial Dragons and then use them to trade with the World Government to get that treasure back from them!"

Crocodile pressed, "What is that thing?"

"A stone! A stone! A red stone!"

Buckingham Stussy answered quickly.

"I don't know what the stone is for, and no one else besides Rocks knows its purpose."

"After the God Valley Incident, that stone was taken away by Linlin —Charlotte Linlin!"

"That's all I know! I don't know anything else!"

Stone?

Red stones?

Crocodile instantly realized what Buckingham Stussy was referring to.

Over the years, Crocodile has also been searching for ancient history, seeking the elusive Ancient Weapon Pluton Pluton.

In the process of exploring ancient history and searching for Ancient Weapon, there is one thing that cannot be ignored.

Ancient Poneglyph!

However, Crocodile was ultimately not a true archaeologist.

He had limited knowledge of ancient history and was unable to decipher Ancient Script.

Crocodile only knew one thing--

All ancient history was recorded on a very special, indestructible stone!

But.

According to Nicole Robin, Poneglyph containing Ancient Script are mostly black.

What are those red stones...?

The Red Poneglyph?

"What else do you know about that red stone?"

Crocodile gripped Buckingham Stussy's neck again, forcibly threatening him.

"Speak! You're a member of the Rocks Pirates, you should know something!"

The shadow of death loomed over Buckingham Stussy.

She frantically searched through her faded memories and finally managed to find a little bit of useful information.

"Redstone! Four pieces!"

Buckingham Stussy said loudly.

"Rocks once said that whoever finds the four red stones can become the World King!"

Four pieces of Red Poneglyph?

Crocodile noted down this crucial piece of information.

At the same time, he did not forget what Buckingham Stussy had just said—that the Red Poneglyph, which once belonged to the Rocks Pirates, was first taken by the Celestial Dragons and then stolen by Big Mom Charlotte Linlin.

Is that piece of Red Poneglyph still in Charlotte Linlin's hands?

Crocodile has not yet given this issue much thought.

"One last question."

Crocodile skipped over the topic of God Valley and instead talked about someone else.

"That Whitebeard the Third, Edward Weevil, what's his situation?"

The moment the question was asked, Storm, who was also quite interested in it, subtly activated his [Observation Haki], which allows him to "read minds," and directly probed Buckingham Stussy's true thoughts.

On the surface, Buckingham Stussy stuck to her previous argument.

"Weevil is my son! He is the fruit of my love with Whitebeard!"

But in reality, Storm had already gotten the real answer he wanted from Buckingham Stussy's heart.

This is not much different from what Storm had previously predicted.

Buckingham Stussy did indeed have a romantic relationship with Edward Newgate.

But..

Edward Weevil was not Buckingham Stussy's child by natural causes!

In the year 1486 of the Grand Line Era, the God Valley Incident occurred, the Rocks Pirates were wiped out, and the pirate crew was torn apart.

Whitebeard, Golden Lion, Big Mom, Beasts, John, Ochoku... these people have all gone their separate ways.

Buckingham Stussy also has her own personal experiences.

After the Rocks Pirates disbanded, Buckingham Stussy immediately joined the MADS organization.

Within the MADS organization, Buckingham Stussy's "clone" was born.

That was a "clone" that perfectly replicated Buckingham Stussy's appearance and even his Devil Fruit abilities— Stussy!

That is, one of the current Dark World King, Queen Stussy of Pleasure District Queen.

After witnessing the birth of Stussy.

Buckingham Stussy's ambition as a pirate suddenly ignited.

If her genes could be cloned, creating a "clone" equal to her.

Could the genes of other pirates also be used to create identical clones?

Coincidentally, Buckingham Stussy knew a very powerful man.

Edward Newgate with Whitebeard!

Unlike Buckingham Stussy's [Bat Fruit].

Whitebeard's [Tremor-Tremor Fruit] power is enough to destroy the world!

If she could create a clone of Whitebeard, could she then use that clone to dominate the seas?

At the very least, he could become a regional overlord!

Buckingham Stussy did not reveal her ambitions to the rest of the MADS organization, but instead studied them quietly on her own.

Due to his lack of technical skill, Buckingham Stussy was unable to replicate Whitebeard's Tremor-Tremor Fruit ability, but he did manage to create at least a poor-quality copy of Whitebeard.

That is, Edward Weevil!

The so-called "Whitebeard the Third" Edward Weevil.

It was actually just a low-quality clone of the real Whitebeard.

Storm, through his Observation Haki, has seen through the fog of history and obtained the truth of the matter.

However, Crocodile couldn't see through Buckingham Stussy's true intentions.

He simply felt that Buckingham Stussy was lying again...

Crocodile didn't linger any longer.

He unleashed the power of the Sand- Suna Suna no Mi, and the yellow sand rope around Buckingham Stussy's neck tightened instantly, locking the latter's neck tightly while simultaneously drawing moisture from his body.

It only takes the time it takes to breathe.

Buckingham Stussy's body was completely dehydrated by the sand, turning him into a dried-up corpse.

The remnants of the Old Era, death.

First update, a bit late, please subscribe!

--

Several points mentioned in this chapter need to be clarified.

The Rocks Pirates targeted the Celestial Dragons because they stole the treasure from Celestial Dragons Hachinosu Island. [Chapter 1096 of the manga]

However, whether this treasure is actually Red Poneglyph remains unknown.

This book is merely a [speculation] of the Red Poneglyph.

Secondly.

Whether Edward Weevil is actually a clone of Whitebeard remains unknown... it's merely a secondary setting in this book.

Above.

There will be more tonight, around 7 pm.