User blog comment:Monkey D Dragon 0304/Luffy Won't Defeat Katakuri/@comment-34109241-20171227200133

The reason why most of the previous end of arc bosses are the cruel and oppressive type is because that's what normally happens in those type of arcs. Let's call it Arc type A. But there is also Arc type B and Arc Type C...

Arc Type A = Villain is ruling/attacking the country/empire and cheating/hurting/oppressing the people. Strawhats save them and Luffy defeats the Big Bad at the end. This is most common arc in the series.(i.e. Arlong Park, Alabasta, Dressrosa)

Arc Type B = Short Arc with minor villain. These arcs are the most unique and rarely have similarities with other arcs. Sometimes Luffy defeats a villain, but not always. (i.e. Little Garden, Long Ring, Zou)

Arc Type C = Infiltration/Rescue. Objective is to get in and get out. Fights still happen, but they are not there to defeat and remove the Big Bad. Sometimes Luffy defeats minor villains. (i.e. Impel Down, Marineford, Totto Land)

...Because this arc is Type C, Luffy was never going to beat Big Mom. However beating multiple underlings is possible before they ultimately escape from Totto Land.

Luffy will defeat Katakuri here, because surpassing him is literally the only reason he's even fighting him right now. He originally felt he had to defeat Katakuri in order to protect his crew, but he already accomplished protecting them by locking Katakuri inside the mirroworld. Luffy didn't have to go back to the fight at all, he technically defeated Katakuri when he took Brulee and could have left Katakuri to die. But he wants to go back in order to surpass Katakuri because he knows this is a neccessary step in his growth. That's why Oda gave us the flashback of Rayliegh telling Luffy he must face stronger haki users in order to grow. If Luffy plans on standing any sort of chance against Kaido this must be done before he gets to Wano. It feels different than most end of arc fights becuase it's supposed to, it represents training and growth as opposed to Luffy saving the day with his W. This arc is all about food and solving problems by feeding people, so Sanji is going to save the day by cooking and feeding the Cake to Big Mom.