Probably oda hadn't thought of awakening on the war though. Just like haki and it's black manifestation. Actually now I think about it the war was full of plotholes and inconsistencies but was fun as hell!
So in such a confined space king kong gun would probably massacre katakuri. He doesnt seem the strength guy just the strategic/skilled one.
The only solution for luffy is that imo but we will see.
Mediocre chapter. After timeskip one piece doesnt make much sense anymore. It's like they didn't train. Zoro told them to be serious, then they invaded a yonko's hq all but laughing etc. Luffy said to stop running but after the timeskip seems to me he is always on the run. Luffy trashed. Crew...
When I wrote my first reply i didn't see the at his moment of his death. Clearly that changes things. Although he was still a force to be reckoned with he should be weaker than the other three that are on their prime. Although Big Mom is around his age so dunno.
Anyway hope spoilers are fake...
How is Whitebeard the weakest when his fruit combined with his monstrous strength deflect everything another emperor might throw to him? (even if the ocean is her homie the tsunami is the attack that comes out of it, that whitebeard has already showcased in marineford). Anyway, hope spoilers are...
Luffy nearly got KOed trying to measure his opponent. He has to step up his game big time. Seems Zoro's words about this being the new world didn't last!
So Luffy got overpowered in a form that its based on strength and even sacrifices speed for it. The awakening hype seems to be real if luffy is to get somehow out of this mess.