What if they are given equal regard (like Law and Luffy got for Doffy).
Zoro's character arc in Wano culminated in an earth shattering declaration that he would cut Kaido down:
I feel like you didn't answer my question. I wasn't asking whether you thought that would happen, but if you would consider it Luffy defeating Kaido.
If Luffy beats Hybrid Kaido and knocks him out, but then Kaido rises again and transforms into Dragon form with Zoro cutting him down, would you consider that a Luffy victory?
As I've argued elsewhere in this thread, Wano is not a traditional arc.
I don't expect that to happen. Two ways I can see this happening:
- Luffy and Zoro fight Kaido together a la the Punk Hazard Dragon.
- Zoro gets to land the final attack.
- Luffy faces Kaido in a 1 vs 1 confirmation and overcomes him knocking him out.
- Kaido recovers and Zoro cuts him down then.
I don't think either of this dehypes Luffy.
If Zoro doesn't finish Kaido, none of the above plot points would have a suitable payoff:
- Kaido's desire to die at the hands of the Samurai bearing Oden's mantle.
- Zoro surpassing Oden.
- Zoro becoming the Second Ryuma.
I don't agree that Zoro failing to land the final blow is no big deal.
Luffy has the opportunity of beating Kaido in combat, but Kaido recovers and is finally cut down by Zoro. I don't really see how that dehypes Luffy in the slightest.
Regarding your first point about Luffy repeatedly stating his desire to defeat the Yonkou and Admirals:
- Luffy may never fight Shanks, so he isn't necessarily fulfilling that proclamation.
- It seems unlikely that Luffy will defeat all 3 Admirals and then the Fleet Admiral.
I don't think those statements are as strong because they were directed at a group.
His statements about Kaido in particular are persuasive though.