Luffy, how can you become the Pirate King if you don't work hard!

"It's the Rocks Pirates."

The young pirates looked at each other, wondering what the old man was talking about.

The old man was not surprised by the young people's reaction. Since the Rocks Pirates disbanded, the current Four Emperors have made their names one by one. Then Roger started the Great Pirate Era, marking the end of the Rocks Pirates era and the beginning of Roger's era on the sea.

The World Government also made considerable efforts to erase all traces of Rocks' existence, to the point that many people now only know Roger and not Rocks.

"The Rocks Pirates of that era were also unstoppable."

"Wherever he went, whether it was the navy or pirates, he crushed them all. At that time, the sea belonged to Rocks."

"Between the Straw Hat Pirates and the Rocks Pirates, who is stronger?" a young pirate couldn't help but ask.

The old man was silent for a moment, then shook his head: "It's hard to say. Back then, Rocks had monsters under his command, such as Whitebeard, Shiki, and Charlotte Linlin, who later became the Four Emperors. Although the Straw Hat Pirates' officers are all monsters, their lineups are different."

However, there is one thing he is certain of.

Straw Hat Luffy has acquired something similar to Rocks back then: absolute strength that all the powerful figures on this sea have to take seriously.

Of course, most people have no idea what the Rocks Pirates are.

That was decades ago. For most pirates on the high seas, they only knew one thing: from this day forward, the Straw Hat Pirates could truly roam freely in the New World.

However, this does not mean that the Straw Hat Pirates can rest easy. On the contrary, the greater their fame, the more eyes will be watching them.

There are many pirates who want to become famous in one battle. When those reckless young men who are not afraid of death see that the Straw Hat Pirates can defeat the Four Emperors, their first reaction is not fear, but excitement.

If I could defeat the Straw Hat Pirates, wouldn't that mean I'm stronger than one of the Four Emperors?

Although this logic doesn't hold up to scrutiny, pirates are, after all, a group of illogical individuals.

Pirates around the New World began to stir with excitement. Some wanted to challenge the Straw Hat Pirates, some wanted to join them, and others simply wanted to watch the spectacle.

The entire ocean was abuzz with excitement because of this news.

Kalai Bali.

One of the Seven Warlords of the Sea—no, now the former Seven Warlord of the Sea, Buggy the Clown's base, and also the headquarters of Buggy's Delivery Pirates Company.

Over the past two years, Buggy has used the fame he gained during the Impel Down War and his silver tongue to turn a makeshift operation into the largest pirate dispatch organization in the New World.

However, this Shichibukai is now a little flustered.

I'm extremely panicked.

They panicked.

"What the hell is Crocodile doing! That's my throne, my throne!"

He certainly couldn't say it out loud; Bucky could only mutter to himself.

Nonsense, I'd be killed if I said that.

Before him stood a former Shichibukai.

He is still his creditor.

Crocodile sat regally on the magnificent throne made of pure gold, a cigar dangling from his lips and a newspaper in his hand.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" He noticed Bucky's rather impolite gaze.

"No, it's nothing. Do you need some alcohol? Reading the newspaper is all about drinking!"

"Shut up, don't bother me."

Crocodile didn't even bother to lift his eyelids. "Remember, if it weren't for me, you would have been packed up and sent to Impel Down by the Navy long ago."

Bucky's lips twitched.

Crocodile came here not long ago, and the Navy attacked just as he arrived. Without his help, Buggy might have really had to go back to Impel Down for the second time.

Crocodile is a genuine monster. Don't be fooled by the fact that he was defeated by the Straw Hat Pirates; he was facing the Straw Hat Pirates who are currently riding high.

If he can't beat Luffy, beating Buggy is a piece of cake.

Moreover, after suffering this defeat, Crocodile seemed to have suddenly realized something, and his strength not only did not decline but became even stronger than before.

Buggy's title as one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea is undeserved.

Crocodile was clearly not paying much attention to Buggy the Clown; his gaze was fixed on the newspaper. "The Straw Hat Pirates have really done something big. First Kaido, and now Big Mom, one of the Four Emperors, has been dethroned."

"That bastard rubber man is too freakish."

Bucky muttered.

He and Luffy have a history of feuds, but they cooperated once in Impel Down, so their relationship is neither good nor bad. That's how pirates are; there are no grudges, only interests.

Unless it's someone like Blackbeard.

Now that Luffy has become a monster capable of defeating the Four Emperors head-on, Buggy doesn't want to run into him again.

"If a conflict were to break out with the Four Emperors, the Straw Hat Pirates would probably have already set their sights on becoming the Pirate King and started their sprint."

Crocodile exhaled a puff of smoke and slowly said, "Unsurprisingly, the Road Poneglyphs in Big Mom's possession have fallen into his hands."

Buggy had been on the Pirate King's ship, so he naturally knew what the red Road Poneglyphs meant. If he hadn't been sick, he would have gone to Laugh Tale too.

"However, this has little to do with us now."

Crocodile tossed the newspaper aside. "The people I called should be here soon."

No sooner had he finished speaking than Bucky sensed a powerful aura emanating from afar. One of his henchmen stumbled over, his face filled with terror, "Lord Bucky, something terrible has happened! Hawkeye has come knocking!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a tall, slender figure stepped onto the land of Kale Bali.

A black top hat, a black trench coat, and the world's strongest black sword, Yoru, slung across his back.

Those sharp, golden eyes, like those of a hawk, swept over everyone present. Everyone whose gaze fell upon them felt as if an invisible knife was held to their throat.

One of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, Dracule Mihawk!

Bucky shouted, "Hawkeye, what are you doing here too!"

Hawkeye ignored Bucky's scream and walked straight to Crocodile, sitting down opposite him.

"Straw Hat Boy?"

"Ah."

Crocodile pushed the newspaper over, "Another Yonko has been taken down."

Hawkeye took the newspaper and glanced at it.

That straw hat looks like it belongs to an old friend.

“He’s growing up quickly. You probably didn’t call me here to discuss Straw Hat Boy.”

"of course."

Crocodile crossed his hands on his knees and leaned forward slightly. "The World Government has abolished the Seven Warlords of the Sea system, which means that you and I have lost our legitimate status. The Navy has begun to hunt down all the former Seven Warlords. If we fight one-on-one, we will be defeated one by one sooner or later."

Hawkeye gestured for him to continue.

Crocodile laughed and said, "So I have a suggestion: let's form a faction."

"Power?" Hawkeye raised an eyebrow slightly.

"With our combined influence, I'm sure there will be quite a few people joining us. This clown is also one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, so using this place as a base should be enough for him to establish a foothold on the bounty list."

Crocodile has revealed his grand ambitions. Why should only the Navy be allowed to put bounties on pirates? Pirates are not weak either, so why can't they put bounties on the Navy instead?

Bucky listened in stunned silence.

Wait, my base and intelligence network are doing this kind of thing?

No, no, that's too dangerous!

Those are his things!

And these two guys are just talking to themselves about taking my stuff to form some kind of Cross Society.

Bucky jumped up, his disintegrating body flailing about. "I disagree! This is my base! Why do something so dangerous?"

He was speaking when he felt two terrifying pressures envelop him at the same time.

Bucky shuddered.

Crocodile asked slowly, "Do you have a problem with that?"

"No, Pakistan Express welcomes you!"

"very good."

Crocodile nodded in satisfaction and leaned back on his throne. "From today onwards, the roles are reversed. Pirates can now also have bounties on their hands from the Navy!"

The Cross Society was officially established.

Hawkeye did not object, which can be considered as acquiescence to the arrangement.

Bucky was on the verge of tears.

The empire he had painstakingly built was usurped by two wicked men.

However, when Bucky was brought out to announce the news, his men were silent at first, and then burst into enthusiastic cheers.

"Captain Bucky is amazing!"

"They actually have two Shichibukai as their subordinates!"

"As expected of Lord Buggy! Even Crocodile and Hawkeye have to submit to you!"

Bucky opened his mouth wide.

Eh, me?

He glanced at Crocodile, then at Hawkeye. Crocodile was sitting on his throne with his legs crossed, while Hawkeye was drinking red wine expressionlessly. They didn't look like his subordinates at all.

But his subordinates clearly didn't see it that way. In the eyes of these simple-minded guys, Crocodile and Hawkeye had come to Bucky's base to pledge allegiance to Lord Bucky.

Bucky got carried away by the flattery, "Men! Did you see that? That's the charm of Lord Bucky! Our goal is to become the Emperor of the Sea!"

"Long live Lord Buggy!"

"Pakistan Express is invincible!"

The cheers from his subordinates grew even louder.

Crocodile watched Bucky boasting, his lips twitching, but ultimately he didn't expose him.