History

After the Seven Warlords system was abolished during the Reverie arc, Dracule Mihawk, Crocodile, and Buggy found themselves an outlaw once more. Crocodile soon contacted Mihawk to propose the alliance, and Buggy was inducted afterwards. They formed the Cross Guild, which would counter the Marines' efforts by putting out bounties and hunting Marines instead.

Due to a mistake from Buggy's followers, Buggy was mistakenly seen as the leader of the guild over Mihawk and Crocodile, causing him to be recognized as one of the new Four Emperors. While initially displeased, Mihawk noted that it benefited them as it redirects heat away from them with Buggy as a scapegoat, and they could easily dispose of Buggy whenever the need arose.