"Join forces with Ye Chen?"
Zeff frowned and thought it over. The Warship was already closing in, yet he still hesitated. Lucci had just killed so many of his comrades. Joining forces with Ye Chen now felt like a dream—too strange to be real.
Besides, even if Zeff agreed, he doubted he could persuade his crew.
"Fire! Sink their Pirate ships!"
While Zeff hesitated, Strawberry thrust a hand toward the two Pirate ships. Zeff was startled, but it was too late to stop him. The Warship's cannons erupted, sending shells screaming toward Zeff's Chef George.
Cannons thundered and smoke billowed. Before long, a shell struck the Mast of Zeff's Pirate ship, sending it toppling sideways. Splinters flew across the cabin and deck as flames leaped skyward. The ship was already sinking.
"Bastards."
Ye Chen cursed and leaped toward his own Pirate ship. Zeff froze. Even Kuina and Gin stared at Ye Chen in surprise, unable to guess what he was doing.
The Warship's cannons swung toward Ye Chen's ship too. Strawberry urged his men on. "Fire, damn it! Blow him to pieces!"
Ye Chen soared onto his Pirate ship like an eagle spreading its wings. The instant his toes touched down, he sprang up the Mast, raced to its top, and grabbed the Death God Pirate Flag. He flipped backward, then used Geppo to fly back toward the Passenger Liner before he even landed.
"He... he went back for his Pirate Flag."
Zeff stared at Ye Chen as he flew toward them, his emotions churning.
Without thinking, Zeff turned toward his own Pirate ship. By now, the Chef George was engulfed in flames. Even its Pirate Flag had been destroyed. He gritted his teeth and clenched his fists.
Though Ye Chen was a newcomer, Zeff could not help feeling ashamed