I was inspired by
this thread, what would be the most satisfying conclusion to Zoro's story? There is probably three ways to end it:
Making it completely close-ended like Edward Elric from FMA. Like Ed lost his alchemist status and lived like normal human with Winry, Zoro can be faced with consequence that forbids him from ever picking up a sword again and he will live like normal man with some woman. Or he may just die. While gruesome and somewhat contradictory to his ambitions, I think I can get behind this type of ending. Specially because Oda wouldn’t be able to bring him back without complete asspullery if Oda goes Kishimoto route..
Another way would be to leave it completely open-ended. For example, when Samurai Jack was cancelled after Season 4, most fans just took a previous episode (where the portal shows a battle-hardened Jack who apparently won) as the ending. Zoro's dream could remain unfulfilled but we can get a glimpse of the future where a more mature Zoro does become WSS and WSM. This one is also kind of contradictory, but that leaves Oda or somebody passionate about Zoro to end his journey properly later in a story where he is the MC (similar to how Samurai Jack finally closed It's curtain almost 10 years later).
The final option and the most likely one as well (as the most desired one I suppose) is Zoro achieving his goal and living happily ever after with Hiyori/Tashigi, becoming a Dojo master and drinking alcohol. While there is nothing wrong with this ending (afterall, this is the most common type of ending), this leaves room for milking if Oda/somebody decides to do it later. For example, Boruto and Bleach's Hell chapter.
Among the examples, I enjoyed FMA's ending the best. Every few years, I rewatch FMAB and at the end of last episode it really feels satisfying to see it all end and yet a little sad that there is nothing more.
And after watching Season 5 of Samurai Jack, I felt that I preferred how things were left off after Season 4. So, a completely open-ended ending to Zoro's story in OP may not be that bad for my taste.
But with Naruto, the ending doesn’t feel satisfying anymore since these characters are still being brought back (and basically butchered). So, even though it is where OP is going, sometimes this "they lived happily ever after with no consequences" doesn’t look appealing to me at all.
What type of ending would be most satisfying to you guys?