It's a very simple concept. The weaker ones can't protect the stronger ones.
The best they hope can do is distract an enemy or protect
unconscious,
half-dead stronger ones.
If a stronger person can block the same attack that the weaker one did, then it's not protection, that's just a weakling coming in and doing something.
That's even a basic concept with Shanks' fleet.
Shanks is the one who is protecting them. Do you think these weaklings were protecting Shanks or just trying to repay Shanks by distracting Kid?