The broadcast spread across nations, reaching every corner of the globe through whatever means possible.
Without Vegapunk's tech, Buggy had to rely on old-school methods to announce Cross Guild's existance.
They were now an Emperor crew, powerful and unstoppable.
The camera turned to Crocodile and the others. Compared to Buggy's liveliness on stage, the four of them sat below, each with fierce expressions.
In truth, they didn't deliberately mean to look that way, they were just annoyed of Buggy's theatrics. But to maintain the facade, they endured it.
Their frustration, however, translated perfectly on screen: menacing, intimidating which ended up being broadcasted worldwide.
When people saw three former Warlords of the Sea sitting alongside a former Navy Admiral, they were shocked.
"Kuzan… the former Admiral… what happened to him?"
"That look in his eyes is so dark… but also kind of handsome. The charm of a mature man."
"Hawkeye Mihawk… his eyes are terrifying. Just looking at them makes me feel like I'm about to die. The world's greatest swordsman indeed."
"Sir Crocodile… Escaped from Impel Down two years ago. The man who once refused the position of Whitebeard's 2nd Division Commander."
"Gecko Moria… he's still alive? Didn't the World Government say he died at Roy's hands?"
The four appearing on camera showed the world just how formidable the Cross Guild truly was.
Finally, the lens focused on Buggy himself.
The one holding the Den Den Mushi camera was a member of Buggy's crew, squatting and sticking his rear out as he filmed.
'The world is watching me! Hehehe!' Buggy's ego swelled. And when he got excited, he couldn't help but soar.
"Foolish people! You've been deceived by the Celestial Dragons! By the World Government! You live as slaves, exploited by nobles, threatened by pirates! Even if you pay the Heavenly Tribute, the World Government abandons you! Treats you like cattle!"
"Are you truly living good lives?!"
"Have you not been exploited your entire lives?"
"Join us! In creating a nation free from the Celestial Dragons, free from the World Government, free from pirates, A nation without war, hunger, and chaos!"
"We were founded for world peace! We fight for ourselves!" Chapters fırst released on novel•fire.net
"The Navy, those evil dogs, help the Celestial Dragons exploit you! Ask yourselves, how many Marines have truly helped you?"
"How many Marines have persecuted you instead? They collude with pirates and criminals, have they really ever protected you?"
"They're no better than pirates!"
"We at Cross Guild may be pirates too, but our goal is self-preservation! We want to live as humans, not livestock! In Cross Guild, everyone is equal! Because we are all people, not beasts!!"
Buggy roared into the Den Den Mushi, pouring his soul into his words.
"…You taught him that?" Kuzan turned to Crocodile.
"How the hell would I ever teach him something like that?" Crocodile bit down hard on his cigar. "He's probably improvising."
"Kishishi… His words are surprisingly stirring. But damn it, this broadcast I worked so hard to set up has become his personal stage." Moria muttered.
Mihawk said nothing. His face only showed two emotions: contempt.
It was Buggy who forced them into this contest for the One Piece.
Because of him, they would have to fight the Marines, clash with the Whitebeard Pirates, and finally scramble for the ultimate treasure.
The war of the Cross Guild had already begun, and there was no turning back.
If they stopped now, in this world's current state, even Mihawk, the greatest swordsman in the world, might not survive alone.
No matter his skill, without strength in numbers, survival was uncertain.
Those who heard Buggy's speech across different countries felt their blood boil.
Because he wasn't wrong.
The Celestial Dragons exploited them from above.
The Navy plundered them under the excuse of "hunting pirates."
And pirates themselves ravaged their lands.
Their lives had never been good.
They were all humans, so why were the Celestial Dragons nobles?
Why were royal families and aristocrats allowed to exploit them?
Weren't they human too?
The ones who resonated most with Buggy's soul-stirring words… were the Revolutionaries.
"This Emperor… His ideals sound a lot like ours."
In the Revolutionary Army headquarters at Kamabakka Kingdom, commanders gathered for discussion.
The one speaking was Southern Army Deputy Commander Dorbō.
"It really is similar to us. And his enemy is clear, he's aiming straight at the Celestial Dragons." Northern Army Deputy Commander Gilteo nodded.
"The Cross Guild is strong. Even if Buggy's personal strength is doubtful, the other four are undeniably formidable." Grand Line Army Commander Ivankov added.
"I met him at Impel Down. He was completely useless." Deputy Commander Inazuma swirled his wine glass.
"Then how in the world did someone like that become an Emperor?" Lindbergh laughed.
"How should I know? Maybe he's been hiding his true strength. Don't forget, he was once a crewmate of Pirate King Roger and a sworn brother of Red-Haired Shanks.
Someone like that could very well be concealing something. After all, the Roger Pirates disbanded in a very suspicious way." Ivankov mused.
"What about Kuma's situation?" asked Eastern Army Commander Belo Betty.
"Still unclear. We can't wake him. It's as if some program has been implanted in his body." Lindbergh explained.
"Then where did Kuma go? Back to Mary Geoise, maybe?" Ivankov said grimly.
"Unlikely. If we want to save Kuma, we'll have to go to Egghead and find Vegapunk. He's the only one in the world who can help him." Lindbergh replied.
"Look! The Marines are here!" Eastern Army Deputy Commander Ahiru pointed to the projection screen.
Just as Buggy's figure shone under the artificial spotlight, flags appeared on the horizon.
With the wind billowing, masts rose, and Justice emblem came into view.
The Marines had arrived. The confrontation with the Cross Guild was about to begin.
Seeing the Marine fleet, Buggy remained calm and even grinned.
"Men! The Navy approaches! Let's show them our might! Cross Guild, VICTORY!"