Luffy, still standing by with a massively impatient look in his eyes, began to grow even more antsy as he watched the red one move in aggressively. Being one of a similar nature, Luffy could respect his determination; despite being knocked down, he simply picked himself right back up and charged in again.

Respect like that came with another decision: Luffy knew that the red one, whoever he was, wouldn't likely want any help with this little contest. Others would just get in his way. After taking one last look, with Knuckles closing in for another hard blow, the man in the straw hat simply broke off and began to run towards that same distance he had been eyeing anxiously earlier.

"I'm going on ahead, you guys!" he called out, turning towards them only briefly. "Catch up when you get finished!"