I dont decide who is my favorite character based on character moments. What I look for is the character's ideology and what he stands for. I have certain criteria for that, like starting from the bottom and fighting against all odds to win. Dragon fits this criteria based on his speech when he saved Sabo. And his speech about Luffy was also intriguing.
Luffy, being a shonen MC, has too much plot armor.
I love SHs and respect their goals, but all of them are prodigies.
If you read the manga "Days" (it is about Football). Then you know what I mean, Sakamoto started as a complete newbie,
he did not accomplish anything, failed again and again, and now finally he has his moment of glory.
A small victory, yet it was so satisfying.
/ISPOILER]