Luffy and Rob Lucci’s rematch during the Egghead Arc is one of the most anticipated battles in One Piece. More than two years after their unforgettable clash at Enies Lobby, both characters return significantly stronger. Lucci arrives with an Awakened Leopard Zoan and the confidence of a CP0 assassin, while Luffy now stands as one of the Four Emperors after awakening the true power of the Human-Human Fruit, Model: Nika.
Despite Lucci’s impressive growth, the rematch quickly demonstrates just how far Luffy has progressed since Wano. Gear 5 completely changes the nature of combat, allowing Luffy to fight with unprecedented freedom, creativity, and overwhelming physical strength. Rather than becoming a close battle, the fight highlights the enormous gap between a Yonko and one of the World Government’s strongest agents.
So why does Gear 5 overwhelm Lucci so decisively? The answer lies in Luffy’s awakened Devil Fruit, superior Haki, and combat style that even another awakened Zoan user struggles to understand.
Lucci Returns Stronger Than Ever
Rob Lucci is far from the same assassin defeated at Enies Lobby. By the Egghead Arc, he has awakened his Cat-Cat Fruit, Model: Leopard, significantly increasing his speed, strength, durability, and recovery. His transformation also produces the signature flame-like clouds associated with awakened Zoan users.
Lucci demonstrates impressive physical abilities, effortlessly overpowering Pacifistas and engaging high-level opponents. His mastery of Rokushiki techniques and Armament Haki makes him one of the strongest CP0 agents in the series. Against most enemies, this version of Lucci would be an overwhelming threat.
However, his biggest mistake is assuming that Luffy is still the pirate he defeated years ago. The gap between them has become far greater than Lucci anticipates.
The biggest advantage Luffy possesses is Gear 5, the awakened form of the Human-Human Fruit, Model: Nika. Unlike previous Gear transformations that focused on increasing specific attributes, Gear 5 dramatically changes how Luffy interacts with the battlefield.
His rubber body gains extraordinary freedom, allowing him to stretch, reshape, and manipulate both himself and his surroundings in unpredictable ways. Objects, enemies, and even the environment can temporarily adopt rubber-like properties, making conventional combat strategies ineffective.
This freedom makes Luffy’s attacks almost impossible to predict. Lucci’s speed remains impressive, but Gear 5 constantly changes the rules of engagement, forcing him to react to attacks unlike anything he has encountered before.
At first glance, the battle appears balanced because both fighters possess awakened Zoan Devil Fruits. In reality, the two awakenings operate on completely different levels.
Lucci’s awakening primarily enhances traditional Zoan traits such as speed, durability, aggression, and recovery. It makes him a more powerful version of an already exceptional fighter.
Luffy’s awakening, however, fundamentally alters reality around him. Rather than simply improving physical performance, Gear 5 allows Luffy to fight with limitless creativity while combining his Devil Fruit with advanced Haki techniques. This difference means Lucci’s awakening cannot compete with the versatility and unpredictability of Nika’s power.
The fight quickly proves that not all awakenings are equal in One Piece.
Speed has always been Lucci’s greatest weapon. His mastery of Soru and Rokushiki allows him to move faster than most opponents can react.
Gear 5 largely removes this advantage. Luffy’s elastic body twists, stretches, and changes direction instantly, making his movements extremely difficult to follow. Instead of matching Lucci’s speed directly, Luffy creates attacks with unusual trajectories and exaggerated movements that constantly disrupt Lucci’s timing.
This forces Lucci into a reactive position throughout the fight. Rather than controlling the battle with speed, he spends most of the encounter trying to keep up with Luffy’s unpredictable offense.
Although Gear 5 attracts most of the attention, Luffy’s Haki is arguably the larger reason for his victory. Since the Wano Arc, Luffy has mastered advanced forms of Observation, Armament, and Conqueror’s Haki.
These abilities allow him to significantly increase the power of every attack while anticipating enemy movements more effectively. Lucci possesses strong Haki of his own, but there is little evidence that he can rival Luffy’s advanced mastery.
The rematch demonstrates that Luffy no longer relies solely on his Devil Fruit. His complete fighting style combines awakening with elite Haki, making him one of the strongest pirates in the world.
One of Gear 5’s greatest strengths is psychological. Every attack defies normal expectations, making it difficult for experienced fighters to read Luffy’s intentions.
Lucci is accustomed to precise martial arts and calculated combat. Gear 5 abandons conventional fighting altogether, replacing it with cartoon-like movements and impossible attacks that constantly change shape.
This unpredictability prevents Lucci from developing an effective counterstrategy. Even though he survives several powerful attacks thanks to his awakened durability, he never gains control of the battle.
The fight becomes less about endurance and more about Luffy demonstrating complete superiority.
