Randomly came to my mind while reading how a bunch of folks speculate Sanji vs Kizaru the same way they speculated Sanji vs King based off of similar themes in certain regards.
But when you think about it, the antagonists with somewhat similar combat/appearance themes as Sanji are for most parts set up to be Zoro's opponents. It all started in Wano:
Look at King:
- Fire powers
- Black suit
- Can fly
- Perverted(?)
That's few a few were saying that he could be Sanji's future opponent during start of Onigashima, specially when the cook came rocking those gloves and stuff.
Look at Shiryu:
- Black coat
- Invisibility
- Cigar
Bunch of similarities towards Sanji. Yet obviously set-up to be Zoro's opponent as per being BB's second best on top of a Swordsman.
Look at Kizaru:
- Yellow theme
- Is fast. Shares the general theme of speedsters and speed = power stuff
Yet, IMO, he's obviously set-up to be Zoro's opponent as he's essentially Akainu's Right Hand Man, on top of being the Admiral who has always fought/faced-off against First Mates (Rayleigh, Benn, Marco). Hell, he even humiliated Zoro in Saboady and iirc didn't fuck up any Strawhat other than Zoro, so it's sort of personal. Meanwhile there's zero narrative hint or set-up towards him facing Sanji, and it goes against trends for most parts, too.
Think this is intentional on Oda's part? Or just a couple coincidences?
Well, I think it is unlikely for the Marines to go down in one fell swoop in one arc. Just like the Yonkos and the Shichibukais, I believe the Marines will go down progressively.
That means:
1. As many people have pointed out, Cook seems to parallel Ryokugyu more than any Admiral, so if Cook does fight an Admiral, it's gonna be Greenbull.
2. Zoro will vs Fujitora and vs Kizaru, just at different point of the story. Zoro is consistently pit against Fujitora a couple of times in-canon and plenty of times in many non-canon materials. No way Zoro vs Fujitora does not happen at this point. But, as you and many others have said, Kizaru is the firstmate specialists of the Admirals, it seems, so Zoro fighting him is not hard to buy or sell. Basically, either of the two whom he fights at pre-final war won't be his opponent during the final war, that's it.
Regarding Zoro vs Kizaru,
@Paperchampion23, IIRC, made an interesting call that it could realistically happen on Elbaf since:
- Luffy vs Big Mom is taking place on Elbaf, so Zoro's first time soloing a top tier will not overshadow Luffy's since both happen on the same arc.
- Gigantification is a big (pun intended) thing on One Piece, and it would be amiss for this not to be addressed on Elbaf of all places, which means Vegapunk could be there, and we know Vegapunk is bodyguarded by Sentomaru and the Pacifistas, whose link to Kizaru is clear, so having Kizaru stick around them on Elbaf is not impossible.
Also, the mink-drug side effect plot can always be resolved before the SHs arrive on Elbaf, especially since it seems to be already kicking in atm.
from where tf did these bb killing kizaru theories came from
Same people who said Shiryu will play dirty to kill Mihawk and then Zoro becomes WSS by avenging Mihawk, probably.

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If Zoro fights Shiryu, then Sanji can fight whoever close to Shiryu in strength (Lafitte or Pizarro, don't really care which one), if Zoro fights Kizaru then Sanji can fight Greenbull who probably can stop time, and Sanji beating a time transcending man > beating a light speed man, so either way it's a win win for Sanji.:cheers:
Ryo can stop time? How do you know this?
