am not giving him top tier speed , its an effect of him seeing things earlier than everyone else.
when he couldnt , gear 4 blitzed through him as it did most other people.
he mastered his df no question
uh but I dont think having awakening is that exclusive to being top tier. its a question of your mind/body being in tune with your ability and the abilities df users have vary in both strength and potential. certain fruits are better than others. luffy's certainly looked better than katakuri's without being awakened. already said king prob didnt have to hone anything. perhaps just born above tougher than the average lunarian.
Also, Mochi merchant is old as fuck. He is the same age as Saint Shanks and up until Luffy he was afraid of his mom.
Katakuri is that one mmo rpg player with entire itemshop bought but no effort.
If people want to argue "well he's still YC1 with awakening and FS".
Of course he is. At some point leveling up on fodders in his country would reward him.
If Kata was battling outside of Toto Land he would be a monster.