Why you insist in deny manga? It was after fight. Lucci has bandages already because Luffy beated him. And he doesn't need excuses to fight Luffy. Lol. He ignores marine orders and do as he wants.
Can't understand what you want to say with your logic talk.
Talking about interpretation... As I said you have none.
First of all he refuse to accept Strawhat as an Emperor. Then he calls Zoro the no. 2 of an Emperor. So he accepted Straw Hat as an Emperor. If he didn't he would keep saying something on the lines like, I don't accept you as Yonko crew.
No.2 doesn't mean the second strong. You made that shit on your head.
Zoro is no.2 because he is the unofficial vice-captain, the 2nd highest bounty. Simple as that.