Use your brain for 30 seconds bozo.
What story purpose is their to Lucci losing here?
There is some purpose actually atleast in Oda’s mind, which is to shift focus immediately on getting this arc wrapped up and going to the next island which is probably Elbaf.
I don’t see what merit Lucci would have to the story other than getting KOed though? Him winning would imply Luffy would probably lose, or perhaps their fight would get intervened? Teleportation maybe??
I actually had a dream a day ago that Imu showed up somewhere and Luffy was in the middle of fighting them but then got teleported to some unknown place because Imu had the power to do that. It was the end of the chapter apparently because I don’t remember anything else other than this description I came up with of Imu having black hair and being from the D. Clan.
...Real specific, I know.
Anyway, Oda could also pull the Talk no Jutsu on Lucci but that would just be bad writing because Lucci just isn’t that kind of guy to get changed by words so easily; He’s a ruthless killer who will aim to complete whatever mission he’s given.
Whatever happens, expect it to be interesting.