Chương 27: Capone Bege

The joy of becoming the vice president of Cross Guild fades like a mirage in the desert. Now, he only longs to flee, to escape from the presence of Crocodile and Mihawk, who seem ready to devour anyone in their path.

"Galdino, so you're here...", says Crocodile coldly, staring at the astonished man. "You seem quite excited. What made you so happy?"

Sweat pouring from his forehead and with a forced smile, Galdino stammers: "Oh, Boss... it's an honor to serve you again..."

"I admit I acted a bit violently when I opened the door earlier. I'll leave immediately to not interfere with your business." On the verge of tears, Galdino tries to mumble some words of apology while attempting to close the door and escape.

Suddenly, Buggy's decapitated head comes to life and, amidst sobs, yells at Galdino: "Galdino! How could you turn against me?!"

Desperate to silence him, Galdino responds: "I don't remember officially joining your team, clown!" Buggy, enraged, growls in response.

"Wait a minute...", Crocodile intervenes with an intentional voice. "Stay here and watch what we'll do to Buggy."

"Oh!" Galdino's body freezes. He grits his teeth and, taking the initiative, says: "Mr. Crocodile, go ahead. Punish Buggy as you see fit."

Just as Buggy tries to speak, Crocodile threatens him with his golden hook.

"Stop spouting nonsense," Crocodile breathes deeply and continues coldly: "Cross Guild was supposed to be under my command and Hawkeye's. Why are you considered the boss, Buggy?"

Not long ago, Hawkeye was harassed by the marines on his island and decided to move. Crocodile proposed creating an organization the Navy couldn't ignore. Due to a lack of initial resources, they sought out Buggy, who owed them a large amount of money. When Buggy was surrounded by the Navy, they rescued him without hesitation, never imagining this would make him one of the Four Emperors of the Sea.

"I can't do anything about it except apologize!" Buggy cries. "It's really no big deal!"

Mihawk, with a gaze as cold as steel, says: "You're probably the only person in the world to become a Yonko by pleading for mercy. Dying here wouldn't even begin to make up for it."

"Please forgive me!" Buggy, seeing Mihawk approaching, screams desperately.

"Don't make unreasonable requests," Mihawk responds with an unyielding tone before raising his sword, imbued with fierce Armament Haki.

"And this is the flyer you had published, right?" Crocodile asks with disgust, pulling out the Cross Guild flyer and showing it sarcastically. "It sure highlights you, Mr. President!"

Buggy, completely desperate, tries to explain: "It's not what it seems! I didn't want this to happen!"

"If it wasn't deliberate, explain it!" Crocodile presses him.

"It wasn't me, I swear! My employees love me too much! I was as surprised as anyone when I saw it!" Buggy shouts.

"Shut up," Mihawk interrupts, unwilling to hear more and releasing a palpable murderous intent.

"With all due respect, considering everything, you could let Buggy be the figurehead of the company and take all the responsibility," Galdino proposes, gritting his teeth.

"The Cross Guild is destined to be the target of the Navy and the world government. Buggy can be the face of the company, and you can dispose of him if the need arises," Galdino adds.

Silence takes over the room. Mihawk's murderous intent abruptly dissipates.

The tension in the air is palpable as Mihawk and Crocodile weigh his words.

In the background, Buggy watches the scene with a mix of fear and hope. He knows his life is at stake, but the idea of becoming a mere decorative figure is humiliating.

Finally, Mihawk breaks the silence. "It's an interesting proposal," he says with his grave and serene voice. "However, we need time to consider it carefully."

Crocodile silently nods. Both understand that making Buggy a puppet would allow them to operate from the shadows and control the Cross Guild without raising suspicion.

"For now," Crocodile says, addressing Buggy, "you'll stay here under our control. Don't try anything funny, or the consequences will be dire."

Buggy swallows, not daring to respond. He has lost all control over his own organization, and his future hangs by a thread.

Mihawk sheaths his sword, and Crocodile drops Buggy's head to the floor. Then, both leave the room, leaving Galdino and Buggy alone with their thoughts.

Galdino looks at Buggy with a mix of pity and determination. He knows the situation is precarious, but he also sees an opportunity to turn Cross Guild into a force for good.

"Buggy," he says quietly, "I think we can turn this into something positive. We can use Cross Guild to fight against injustice and protect the innocent."

Buggy looks at him incredulously. "What are you talking about, Galdino? I'm a Yonko! I can't just become a hero!"

---

West Blue, Deserted Island

A short, stocky man with the appearance of a mafia boss roams a deserted island with a group of men in suits. His name is Capone Bege.

"Father, we've searched almost 80% of the island," his subordinate reports, helpless at seeing the fruitless search. "We can't find it, father. Let's meet up with my sister-in-law."

"No, we have to find the treasure left by Kaido," Bege responds firmly, a cigar in his mouth. "Now that Kaido and Big Mom have been defeated and the new Four Emperors have appeared, I need to find the treasure Kaido left in West Blue."

Bege, a pirate who has risen step by step from West Blue, is no stranger to ambition. Over the years, Kaido has visited West Blue without warning, terrifying the local mafias with his powerful strength. Once, in Totto Land, Bege heard Big Mom, in a state of madness, mention a huge treasure hidden in West Blue.

With Kaido's defeat and the disintegration of the Beast Pirates, Bege saw a unique opportunity to find the treasure and increase his own power. The idea excites him, and he won't rest until he finds it, even if he has to turn the deserted island upside down.

Suddenly, an urgent voice echoes: "Father, we've found something."

"What?" Bege asks, frowning and showing an expression of confusion.

His subordinates had found a peculiarity in the terrain: a slight depression that seemed to hide something. When ordered to dig, they discovered the entrance to a secret passage.

"Alright, men," Bege orders. "Let's see what secrets this island holds."

With lanterns in hand, they cautiously enter the dark corridor. The air grows colder, and the damp smell of earth fills their nostrils. The passage twists and turns, leading them deeper into the island.

Finally, the passage widens, opening into a vast crypt.

"Look at that!" one of the men exclaims, pointing to the center of the chamber.

There, imposing and majestic, stands a huge golden coffin, over four meters tall. Its surface is covered with intricate black runes, which seem to emanate a strange energy.

"What the hell is this?" Bege asks, slowly approaching the sarcophagus.

He examines the runes closely; he had never seen anything like it. "This must be what we've been looking for," he concludes.

Instinctively looking up, he notices a word carved into the crypt's ceiling: "Kami." A shiver runs down his spine. Had this place been revered as a sacred sanctuary? What secrets does this island and its enigmatic golden crypt hold?

"Do you think this is the resting place of some deity or supreme being?" one of his men asks, also observing the word on the ceiling with a mix of fear and fascination.

"I don't know, but we're undoubtedly facing something very ancient and powerful," Bege responds, running his hand over the surface of the coffin, feeling the texture of the runes. "We must be very careful. Whoever is buried here shouldn't be disturbed lightly."

His subordinates exchange worried glances, but they know they can't pass up this opportunity. If that treasure is real, it would mean a significant boost for their organization and future plans.

"Alright, prepare to examine this coffin very carefully. I want to know everything you can find out about its contents and origin," Bege orders, adopting a serious expression. "But keep your eyes wide open. Something tells me this place hides more than it seems at first glance."

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