Yes that’s exactly how this works. Is this your first manga? Characters constantly get power ups based on their state of mind. This is battle manga 101 actually.
What’s your argument, that Zolo could have neg diffed Lucci at any moment but simply chose not to as his crew was being attacked by an Admiral and 5 eldrich demons? Zolo said “nah, I’d rather fight Lucci” LMFAO
You will say something like “it doesn’t make sense, Oda is just as bad writer” instead of acknowledging that your take is crap and mine is 100% fact lol.
U always been spouting claiming 100% fact which is funny tbh since it is the exact opposite lol
We literally even had moments that Luffy playing around at Punk Hazard and not even serious then get called out by Zoro.
Why?
Because Luffy literally just lose from Caesar because he was playing around While his friends were getting cooked lol
So by your logic with that, on their first fight Caesar > Luffy, and then after Zoro calling him out it is Luffy > Caesar?
It doesn't work like that lol, Thats not how the trope is.
That trope always work whenever they are struggling to their last breath defeat an Opponent.
They will remember their friends couragement etc
This the things that y'all like to call Power of Friendship.
Gohan vs Cell
Literally Natsu vs Anyone he fought
etc
And now look At Zoro.
u seriously think he is Extreme Diff Lucci, Mr. 100% correct?