I prefer Lucci still trying to carry his mission than getting talk no jutsu by the crew off-screen tbh
True, that is a great point. His villainous personality, his wickedness, no-nonsense, immediate nature and brutality are fun to watch.
He really embraces his predatory instincts, both with his carnivorous zoan, the "actual king of the jungle" , as well as his own dark, bloodthirsty nature and what not ofc.
As someone was saying elsewhere, hes really adding great tension to this arc, Lucci gets shit done even if he fails, at least he tries and doesn't give up. He sticks to his beliefs, his values and is very consistent as a result.
I slander him a lot but he's a great villain and character. It was so satisfying seeing him get taken down in Enies Lobby just because of how well written he was back then and thus it was very hype to see him return at Dressrosa and being part of CP0 (when CP0 actually was worth the hype and still not ruined to hell by Oda, sigh)
Talk No Jutsu would have genuinely been awful but not surprising from Oda and its not too late for it to happen either. Some of Luffys enemies and thus nemeses need to stay that way regardless. That's why I'm actually against Kizaru joining the SHs as a lot of people seem to want him to lately especially too.
I'm actually glad in hindsight Kizaru is not holding back as much as I expected him to this arc, this is more in character for him too, definitely more inline for him and as an Admiral/Marine and thus extremely important asset of the WG too.
Kizarus characterisation has been so fantastic these past chapters since he arrived but even what we saw of him before he got here too and I appreciate Lucci actually continued his mission as you said, trying to kill Vegapunk anyway, adding more tension to the arc and almost susceeding in his misison, with only Stussy preventing Vegapunks immediate death due to her own sacrifice. It really goes full circle on her betrayal and fake allegiance to the WG and CP0 all along too, ironically for her too.
Its funny how 2 of the best villains currently in post TS are recurring villains and enemies from pre TS too. Lucci and Kizaru are adding such wonderful, much needed tension to this arc. Its refreshing.