No one moved a muscle in fear of Zeff's life hanging in the balance as Ghin continued to hover the barrel end of the pistol at the old chef's head.
"Ghin!!" Luffy exclaimed.
You kept quiet with a cool head at Ghin. No matter how well he hid, it didn't escape your sight of his hand with the gun trembling a little. You knew that there's still good in him which is why his threat is nothing to you.
"I don't care how much of a badass he used to be; Now he's just a chef," Ghin said coldly. "I wouldn't have to break a sweat to kill this old fart"
Sanji showed no emotion on his face.
"I'll spare him but you have to leave" Ghin continued. "Please. Don't make this any harder, Sanji, (First Name). Just leave. Don't force me to kill the three of you"
"Run away" Sanji huffs as he chews on a new cigarette. "Not a chance!!"
Sanji's refusal shocked Ghin.
"You look even dumber at gunpoint, old man. What kind of example do you think you're setting for all the other chefs??" Sanji said.
Even with the gun pointed at his head, Zeff still had the guts to let out a wry chuckle. "I don't need a lecture from a brat like you"
"Would you stop calling me names?! Quit treating me like a kid!!" Sanji exclaimed. He stuffed his hands into his pockets before turning his attention to Ghin. "Ghin!! Point that gun at me!!"
Sanji's demand startled Zeff and Luffy while you calmly watched. The chefs all tried to stop Sanji but he shut them all up.
"Someone's eager to die"
Everyone turned to see Pearl up and going again. You raised a brow that he got up so quickly after being hit on the head by the mast.
"Lucky for you, I'd be more than happy to oblige. Allow me. It would be my pleasure to beat you to a bloody, lifeless pulp" Pearl laughed. "Absolute Natural Pearl . . ."
He reels back one of his iron shields.
". . .Surprise!!"
Pearl brought down his shield and struck Sanji hard across the jaw causing him to fly into the railing of the restaurant. He took a hit without any signs of resisting.
"SANJI!!" Luffy cried out.
"Why didn't you dodge that??" Luffy demanded in concern.
Blood pours from Sanji's face as he struggles to get upright. "Because if I did, that rat over there would pull the trigger on Zeff" he grunted.
"Why are you doing this??" Ghin demanded. "Just please leave the restaurant peacefully and no one gets hurt. Please"
Sanji explained that the restaurant was Zeff's life and that he had already taken everything from him.
"So while I'm around, I'm not going to let anything else get taken from him!!" he exclaimed.
Pearl sees Sanji's short speech as a distraction to attack him from behind.
"Pearl Cymbals!!" He readies his shields to smash Sanji's head in between. Without hesitation, you rushed forward and shoved Sanji down by his head as you took the place of the blow for him. You successfully resisted but that doesn't mean you can't hear any ringing in your ears.
"Man, that barely hurt. My ears are ringing from all this bullshit I'm hearing" you mumbled as you waited for the ringing to go off. You spun around your body towards Pearl and kicked him in the abdomen.
Pearl was being pushed back from the force of impact and before he could react, you ran to them raised your leg, and kicked him from below.
"Get the fuck out. You're a nuisance" you said coldly as you kicked him with the sole of your foot backward full force into the ocean far away from the Baratie.
As you readjusted yourself, you glared down at the remaining Kreig Pirates standing with your cold gaze which sent shivers to their spines. "What are you lot standing around for?? Do you want to try??" you asked with a cold expression.
They all cowered in fear and backed away as far as they could without leaving the platforms or risking the wrath of their captain. You lazily turned to Zeff with a smirk. "I'm putting your lessons to good use, old man. Whatcha think??"
The old man smirked back. "Excellent execution, runt. But your form still needs work"
You scoffed. "Cut me some slack, old man. I have been using your kicks for 8 years but I still need some work. You're not going senile, are you??"
"Nope, I'm still sane" he simply replied with a chuckle.
"Why??"
You turned to Sanji questioning you. He gripped you by the arms and yanked you to look into his eyes.
"Why take the hit for me?? You could have been killed!!"
You forcefully released his hold and gripped the collar of his dress shirt. "This kind of thing didn't affect me one bit but you on the other hand the one who will get killed had I not intervened. Do you think the old man will waste his sacrifice on his leg just so you could throw your life away??"
"You don't understand anything, (First Name)!! There's no way to repay the old geezer for his kindness unless I risk my life for him!!" He exclaimed. "Now listen here, you little-"
"Why?? Why do the both of you continue to stand??" Ghin queries. "Stay down"
Sanji doesn't tear his gaze away from yours as you still keep him gripped in the air. "Fraid I can't do that. It's a little too much like giving up"
The chefs began to protest Sanji's impulsive actions.
Then you noticed Luffy stretched his leg high into the air. Sanji finally sees what Luffy is about to do. "No!! Don't!! Ghin will shoot the old man!!"
"NOW GUM GUM . . .BATTLE AXE!!"
The rubber boy brought his foot down onto the fin platform of the Baratie, completely shattering it.