Yes, DF hax. Two smart users, arguably both doctorate level or above, using very scientific powers. Luffy actually looks worse because he started out with a huge lead and couldn't even lose the rematch. Law himself is extremely underrated or perhaps just misunderstood because of what happened with Doflamingo, who knew exactly how to fight him so as to make it look easy.
Beating Vergo wouldn't necessarily have gotten the heart back. It was something like a hostage situation and obviously the smart thing is to accomplish the goal as a priority. It's what separates smarter characters from a Luffy, who botches the capture just so he could whoop some ass.
Anyway, it's right there. He was beating Vergo, then Vergo comments on him being sloppy, and his only response is securing the heart. Not a crazy amount of reading comprehension needed.
Beating Vergo wouldn't necessarily have gotten the heart back. It was something like a hostage situation and obviously the smart thing is to accomplish the goal as a priority. It's what separates smarter characters from a Luffy, who botches the capture just so he could whoop some ass.
Anyway, it's right there. He was beating Vergo, then Vergo comments on him being sloppy, and his only response is securing the heart. Not a crazy amount of reading comprehension needed.
Luffy had no idea about Caesar being able to suck air out of his proximity.
Vergo did not even go all out, as seen when Law angered him, and we know from the flashback that´s his preferred fighting style.
Smoker´s goal, as he stated himself, is to show the pride of Marines to a pirate like Vergo, it´s a contradiction that a pirate finished him off, as he himself states after giving the heart back, it´s a shame.
At best you can say he changed his aim throughout the fight, but the claim he went there to primarily repay Law is negated by him stating he has to take care of Vergo himself.