What Is Cross Guild?
The Cross Guild is a revolutionary and controversial organization that emerged in the One Piece world following the dissolution of the Seven Warlords of the Sea (Shichibukai) and the events of the Wano Country Arc. While the public believes it is led by the newly crowned Yonko, Buggy the Clown, the group's true power lies in the unlikely alliance between Sir Crocodile and Juracule Mihawk. Cross Guild was initially conceived by Crocodile as a business venture to provide protection and leverage against the Marines. However, due to a series of comedic misunderstandings by Buggy's followers, the "Genius Jester" was placed at the center of the organization's branding. Despite its internal power struggles, the group has become a major global player, recognized for its massive financial backing and its unprecedented decision to hunt the hunters, creating a new era of Marine bounties One Piece fans never expected.
How Marine Bounties Work
For centuries, the World Government and the Marines held the monopoly on the bounty system, issuing rewards for the capture of pirates and criminals. The Cross Guild completely upended this power dynamic by introducing its own "reverse bounty" system. Under this initiative, the Cross Guild issues bounties on Marine officers, encouraging pirates, civilians, and even bounty hunters to target members of the Navy. This shift has turned the entire world into a hostile environment for the Marines. No longer are they the sole pursuers; they are now the prey. This system is funded by the vast wealth of Crocodile's underworld connections and the "Buggy's Delivery" infrastructure, making Cross Guild bounties a legitimate and dangerous threat to global stability.
Star System
To categorize the danger and prestige of various Marine officers, the Cross Guild utilizes a simplified but effective ranking system known as the "Star System." Rather than using complex numerical figures for every low-ranking soldier, the guild assigns stars or crowns to represent specific reward tiers:
- One Star: Typically assigned to lower-level commissioned officers or notable Marines. A single star is roughly equivalent to 100 million Berries.
- Five Stars: Reserved for highly capable Marines, such as Rear Admirals or particularly troublesome Captains, valued at approximately 500 million Berries.
- Crowns: The highest tier of rewards. A single "Crown" is equivalent to 100 million Berries, but for the most elite targets like Admirals, the bounty can reach several Crowns, totaling billions of Berries.
Known Marine Bounties
Since the introduction of the reverse bounty system, several high-profile Marine bounties One Piece characters have had their values revealed or hinted at. The Cross Guild targets individuals based on their rank, influence, and threat level to piracy:
- Koby: Known as the "Hero of the Rocky Port Incident," Captain Koby has a bounty of 5 Stars (500 million Berries), which is exceptionally high for his rank due to his public reputation.
- Monkey D. Garp: As a legendary Vice-Admiral and the "Hero of the Marines," Garp carries a massive bounty of 3 Crowns (3 billion Berries), placing him on the same financial level as a Yonko.
- Marine Admirals: While specific posters haven't been shown for all, it is confirmed that Admirals like Kizaru, Ryokugyu, and Fujitora carry bounties of 3 Crowns (3 billion Berries) each.
- Fleet Admiral Akainu: Though not officially confirmed in a poster, his status as the head of the Marines likely puts his bounty at 5 Crowns or more.
Impact on the Marines
The introduction of Cross Guild bounties has had a devastating psychological and operational impact on the Marines. For the first time, soldiers cannot trust the civilians they are sworn to protect. In some cases, desperate citizens or greedy bounty hunters have attempted to assassinate officers in their sleep or lead them into ambushes. This has forced the Navy to consolidate its forces, making it harder for them to patrol the four blues and the Grand Line. Furthermore, it has bolstered the morale of pirates worldwide, who now see a way to gain wealth and fame by directly opposing the World Government’s military arm. The Cross Guild has effectively democratized the war against the Marines, making every corner of the ocean a potential battlefield.
FAQ
Why did Crocodile and Mihawk join Buggy?
Crocodile approached Mihawk to form an alliance for mutual protection and power. They used Buggy’s existing infrastructure and "debt" to jumpstart the organization, though Buggy becoming the leader was an accident caused by his subordinates.
Can anyone claim a Cross Guild bounty?
Yes, the system is open to anyone—pirates, criminals, or even civilians—who can provide proof of the Marine's defeat or capture to a Cross Guild representative.
Is the Cross Guild richer than the World Government?
While the World Government has more total resources, the Cross Guild's concentrated wealth from the underworld allows them to pay out massive individual rewards that rival official government bounties.
