@Garp the Fist: I don't fully agree that Yamato vs Kaido is appropriately analogous to Brook vs Ryuma. And not just because Yamato is a formidable combatant.
While Brook vs Ryuma was a similarly important fight for Brook, there wasn't extensive development or build-up towards their impending confrontation.
I don't recall Oda building up a narrative towards Brook's impending fight with Ryuma the way he did for Yamato and Kaido.
See any of:
- Yamato's Desire to Face Kaido
- Are You Excited for Yamato vs Kaido?
- Vs Kaido is Yamato's Main Fight This Arc
We actually have an entire character arc spanning 35+ chapters that has been slowly building up to Yamato vs Kaido.
I do not recall Brook vs Ryuma having as much narrative setup or
weight.
It's not just that Vs Kaido is a very important fight for Yamato, it's the strength of the narrative that has been leading up to Vs Kaido.
It's the effort that Oda has put in place to set up this fight.
Then there's also that Yamato is simply much more important as a character than Brook.
I might be mistaken, but I don't think Brook vs Ryuma had any of that.
I think the only appropriately analogous battle is Law vs Doflamingo.