Well, let's agree on that and back to Sanji's part.
First of all, Sanji is given the Wings title. To respect WSS (his counterparts) and Pirate King (his captain), narratively Sanji will be boosted to a high level relative to them/their powerlevel.
This alone ensure him to be at peak Commander level, so he will never be "far from Katakuri".
Secondly, the MCs grows. In shounen perspective, if Sanji is defeating "YC2" right now, then he'll be able to defeat "YC1" soon, which again, make him not be "far from Katakuri".
Thirdly we can simply put Sanji to Luffy's situations (assuming Wano Sanji=WCI Kata & EoS Sanji=post WCI Kata).
First, defense.
The fight took longer because Luffy wants to learn FS. Kata can't defeat Luffy because Luffy can tanks those attacks. If we equate Luffy's rubbery body = Exoskeleton and factor in Sanji's more agile fighting style, I'm pretty sure he can tank Kata's attacks and evade them as long as Luffy or near it.
Second, speed. Luffy defeated Kata needing Snakeman's speed. Does Sanji have that kind of speed? Luffy can evade Kata with his FS, can Sanji's speed does that?
Third, attack. Luffy defeated Kata using +14 or so Gear Four attacks. Does Sanji have attacks comparable in attack power? Ifrit Jambe is doing that much damage to a cyborg+zoan body.
Not to mention whatever cooking knowledge will be used to counter mochi, like Wanze's fight or that flour usage against a movie's villain. Matchup matters.
First of all, Sanji is given the Wings title. To respect WSS (his counterparts) and Pirate King (his captain), narratively Sanji will be boosted to a high level relative to them/their powerlevel.
This alone ensure him to be at peak Commander level, so he will never be "far from Katakuri".
Secondly, the MCs grows. In shounen perspective, if Sanji is defeating "YC2" right now, then he'll be able to defeat "YC1" soon, which again, make him not be "far from Katakuri".
Thirdly we can simply put Sanji to Luffy's situations (assuming Wano Sanji=WCI Kata & EoS Sanji=post WCI Kata).
First, defense.
The fight took longer because Luffy wants to learn FS. Kata can't defeat Luffy because Luffy can tanks those attacks. If we equate Luffy's rubbery body = Exoskeleton and factor in Sanji's more agile fighting style, I'm pretty sure he can tank Kata's attacks and evade them as long as Luffy or near it.
Second, speed. Luffy defeated Kata needing Snakeman's speed. Does Sanji have that kind of speed? Luffy can evade Kata with his FS, can Sanji's speed does that?
Third, attack. Luffy defeated Kata using +14 or so Gear Four attacks. Does Sanji have attacks comparable in attack power? Ifrit Jambe is doing that much damage to a cyborg+zoan body.
Not to mention whatever cooking knowledge will be used to counter mochi, like Wanze's fight or that flour usage against a movie's villain. Matchup matters.