Summary

The Cross Guild is a key player in One Piece's Final War against the World Government.
Crocodile's intelligence drives the Cross Guild's strategic operations and growth in power.
Mihawk's unmatched strength as the World's Strongest Swordsman makes him a crucial figurehead.

As One Piece has finally reached its Final Saga with the start of the long-awaited Elbaf arc, fans have already begun to narrow down the most important players in the world. Of course, the Straw Hats are going to lead the charge for a new dawn by overthrowing the forces of Imu and the World Government, all while the mysterious forces of Blackbeard silently grow in power with each passing moment.

However, one such organization that doesn't get talked about much regarding this fabled ultimate conflict is the Cross Guild. Ever since Buggy became an Emperor of the Sea, his crew has proven to be one of the biggest thorns in the World Government's side, taking the fight to them instead of waiting idly by. In this article, let's go over why the Cross Guild will play a huge role in the Final War of One Piece.

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By Haider Haroon Rasheed

The Organization Is A Counter To The Navy And World Government

They're Taking The Fight To Them

In the world of One Piece, pirates are generally seen as evil outlaws by much of the world, which is why the Navy, who are seen as their opposites as the paragons of justice and order, are tasked with capturing them. This status quo has existed for decades, where the pirates of the world are never able to rest comfortably at any given moment since the threat of the Navy coming to capture them is always on their minds.

Public awareness of Cross Guild is growing as planned. The Navy is starting to understand the threat we pose...

However, the advent of the Cross Guild completely flipped this dichotomy on its head. Through Buggy's influence, Crocodile's cunning, and Mihawk's strength, the organization has been able to amass a ton of power and wealth, using which they have placed bounties on many Marines. This has reversed the roles of the Navy and pirates, as now, Marines always have to look over their shoulders since they are never safe due to the fact that anyone can just come and take their lives to claim the bounty.

Sir Crocodile Is Among The Series' Most Intelligent Characters

The Brains Behind Cross Guild

First Appearance	One Piece, Chapter 126, "Instinct"
Story Arc	Little Garden

Crocodile is the brains behind the Cross Guild's operations.

Sir Crocodile was one of the first antagonists of the One Piece story and can be counted as the first true test that the Straw Hats faced on the Grand Line. Although he was an incredibly powerful Logia Devil Fruit user, his greatest asset was his intelligence, as he created the organization known as Baroque Works, with which he managed to topple the Kingdom of Alabasta. It's safe to say that if it weren't for the involvement of the Straw Hats, Crocodile might have found Pluton.

Ideals can only be spoken by those powerful enough to carry them out!

Crocodile is one of the few pre-time skip characters who have continued to have a major influence on the world in the current day, which he has done by becoming one of the heads of the Cross Guild. It's due to his brilliance in strategic planning and tactics that the organization has been able to grow much more in power, and it's his funds that provide the promise of a bounty on the Marines' heads. Though not the central combatant, Crocodile is arguably the greatest asset that Cross Guild has.

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By Haider Haroon Rasheed

Dracule Mihawk Is One Of The Strongest Characters In The Series

The Muscle Of Cross Guild

First Appearance	One Piece, Chapter 49, "Storm"
Story Arc	Baratie

Mihawk's overwhelming power makes every other pirate and Marine steer clear of the Cross Guild.

Although not as intelligent and cunning as Crocodile, Mihawk is, by far, one of the most powerful characters in the entire One Piece setting. Holding the title of the 'World's Strongest Swordsman', Mihawk's skill with his weapon is unmatched, which was so great that he was stated to be on the same level as Red Haired Shanks as his rival. His role within the Cross Guild is less about the operations side and more as a defensive figurehead, making everyone think twice before challenging them.

I'm not the kind of fool who hunts rabbits with a canon. You may have a reputation, but you're still just a bunny!

Shanks has shown some of the greatest feats of Haki in the entire series, so for Mihawk to be on the same level as him speaks volumes about how powerful Hawk Eyes truly is. Moreover, he is set to be one of Zoro's final opponents as the two are primed to battle for the title that Mihawk currently holds. This matters for the Cross Guild, since Mihawk's strength is something that can only be challenged by someone else on his level, which Zoro is destined to be.

Buggy May Have The Greatest Power In The Series

The Face Of The Cross Guild

First Appearance	One Piece, Chapter 9, "Devilish Woman"
Story Arc	Orange Town

Buggy's charisma inspires hundreds of pirates to follow the Cross Guild.

One of the greatest surprises in anime history was when Buggy was shown to somehow have grown to the level of an Emperor of the Sea. While it was hilarious to witness, it was done so in a way that showcased his charisma, making him one of the most influential pirates that the world has ever seen, far before he even got to the fabled position of Yonko. This has caused many fans to believe that there may be much more to Buggy's true power than everyone had previously thought.

It's time for us to set sail, to reach out and grasp what we all desire most! It's time for us to finally go and claim... The One Piece!

Ever since his introduction, Buggy has only ever managed to fail upwards, since almost everything he does seems to end in objective failure but the outcome results in him growing in power and influence. This has made many believe that the true power he possesses gives him a near-infinite level of luck, which may even propel him to achieve his lifelong dream of becoming the King of the Pirates. Although it's outlandish to think so, one must remember that Buggy's entire journey to get to where he is now has been just as surprising.