The Navy is one of the biggest and most powerful organizations in One Piece.

As a direct subsidiary of the World Government, the Navy is under the control of Imu and the Five Elders. For decades, the Navy has dominated the seas with its superior numbers and technology.

Furthermore, the Navy placed bounties on pirates and other criminals in One Piece, which compelled regular citizens to turn them in or provide crucial information leading to their capture. This has been advantageous to the Navy and has helped them a great deal. However, the tables have finally turned, and the Navy has lost its edge.

What Happened To The Navy

The Loss Of T-Bone Is A Big One

The Cross Guild has been the main reason why the Navy has lost its footing. Given Crocodile’s intelligence, it’s hardly surprising that he managed to come up with a simple yet effective measure to curb the Navy’s influence. Crocodile is an experienced pirate who has been sailing the seas for several decades. He was likely active during the time of Gol D. Roger, so he knows how the Navy functions.

Crocodile’s solution was to create a new bounty system. He decided to place bounties on the Marines so that the common folks would gain interest in capturing them. The first casualty of the Cross Guild’s bounty system was altruistic Vice Admiral, T-Bone. He was stationed in the Pepe Kingdom, where 1000 people die annually from starvation. A poor man who was aware of T-Bone’s bounty decided to kill him for the sake of his family.

Poverty and money change people. —Tsuru

He knew killing T-Bone would get him enough money that would help his family get through the difficult times. One might think, how could a regular person kill a Vice Admiral? There are multiple explanations, but it is likely that T-Bone knew the attacker’s plight. So he decided to sacrifice himself and let the man collect the bounty to feed his family. T-Bone was a selfless man who everyone loved because of his helpful nature. The news about the Vice Admiral’s death was not fully disclosed, as the Navy did not want to spread panic among their ranks. There is no question that a lot of people around the world would have become potential murderers if they found out that the Navy isn’t infallible.

The Need To Eliminate The Cross Guild

The Navy Must Maintain Its Stronghold

The Cross Guild has cleverly swung the pendulum in their favor. The organization has capable leaders at the top who calculate every single move. The Cross Guild’s biggest problem is Buggy’s rebellion. The Yonko wants to claim the One Piece, and he has already declared his feelings to the rest of the crew. Unsurprisingly, most of them were happy with the announcement, and they would support Buggy at all costs.

Buggy’s decision will create problems for Crocodile and Mihawk. Neither of them wants to go after the One Piece, and they have no desire to help achieve his dream either. If Mihawk and Crocodile stick with the Cross Guild, they will have no other option but to fight the other potential candidates wanting to claim the One Piece.

Can The Navy Eliminate The Cross Guild?

The Navy Needs To Target The Organization Quickly

Mihawk and Crocodile are the main source of the Cross Guild’s power

The Navy will need to send more than one Admiral to deal with them

Given their current situation, it is unlikely that the Navy will try to attack the Cross Guild. Many events have been happening around the world, and the Navy is short on hands. Dealing with the Cross Guild will require at least two Admirals. A single Admiral won’t be able to get the job done as Crocodile and Mihawk are both elite fighters. Dracule Mihawk is the world’s strongest swordsman, meaning there is no one better at wielding a sword. Mihawk has plenty of fighting experience. In the past, he used to be rivals with Shanks. The duels between the two were considered legendary, and their intensity shook the Grand Line. While it is unknown who the outright winner is, Oda has confirmed that Mihawk’s swordsmanship is superior to that of Shanks. In Marineford, Mihawk was one of the few characters who remained completely unscathed.

Crocodile is the second-strongest member of the Cross Guild. He possesses the Suna Suna no Mi, a Logia-type Devil Fruit that allows him to manipulate sand however he sees fit. Aside from creating massive sandstorms, Crocodile can also drain the moisture from the body of an individual. He did it to Luffy, who was left at death’s door. However, Crocodile is weak to any kind of liquid, especially water. If a person’s fists are covered in blood, their attacks will do damage to Crocodile. There are other characters within the Cross Guild, but they are nothing too special.

Regardless of Mihawk and Crocodile’s decision, it will be interesting to see what will happen to the Cross Guild in the upcoming arcs.