Dawn still had tremendous room to grow stronger.
That was the feedback he had received after killing Sanjuan Wolf, so if a great battle awaited him, it would be exactly what he wanted.
Katakuri in particular was the most perfect opponent at this stage.
As Big Mom's undisputed right-hand man, Katakuri was unquestionably powerful. Though Dawn believed his raw attributes surpassed Katakuri's, actual combat was not decided by comparing numbers alone.
Technique, combat experience, whether Devil Fruit abilities countered one another—countless factors could affect the outcome of a battle.
And if there was one area where Katakuri surpassed Dawn, it was undoubtedly Observation Haki.
Even if Dawn's strength and speed exceeded Katakuri's, Katakuri's future-seeing Observation Haki was enough to offset those advantages.
That was why Dawn said Katakuri was the most perfect opponent imaginable.
While he still had the potential to increase his strength, he had encountered an opponent with whom he could fight a great battle.
After his strength had fully risen and he entered a period of slower growth, he could temper his Observation Haki and perhaps even take it a step further.
Katakuri was simply the best whetstone possible.
He could both swiftly bring out Dawn's hidden potential and, after Dawn had absorbed that potential, hone his Observation Haki, allowing his strength to continue expanding and improving in another field.
Dawn passed Catarina Devon's ship and stared at the tiny black silhouette upon the sea, his eyes burning like blazing flames. "Don't disappoint me..."
Meanwhile.
Aboard Catarina Devon's ship, her smugness did not last long before the panicked cries of her crew interrupted her.
"C-Captain!!!! The... the Marines!"
"What are you panicking for? Haven't the Marines been tailing us from behind this whole time?" Catarina Devon asked impatiently.
"But several pirate ships have appeared all around us