Zolo himself says that if he cant protect his captains ambition, his ambition is nothing.
Now when faced with a real enemy and not Kuma going easy on the SH,
Kizaru saves the Strawhats, Later in the arc we also have the giants, Kuma, and even a robot saving captain Luffy, clearly Zolo's own dream is dead per his own statements. The Wss delusion is done, and maybe Zolo can compete with Lanji for being the Sakura of the SH. Well not even really that, since Sakura would not be stalled by trash like Lucci. And she isn't a pampered bitch like Zolo who had everything handed to him.
Ryuma genes
Blessed by the heavens with supreme king Haki
Free training from the worlds strongest swordsman, he couldnt have even located the island, needed Kuma to send him
Given Odens sword for free by a hooker
Let's compare this to a real right hand man, Bepo, who saved his captain from a Yonko of the sea