Wano is like the only arc in which Zoro actively wants to strike down the bad guy and has motivations for doing so, it's happening.
Zoro cuts down Kaido and replicates Ryuma's feat with Odens blade, everyone wins even fucking Kaido.
You have proofed enough of why ZKK is the most probable outcome of this arc. Those can't even be called implications any longer, it's getting slammed in your face repeatedly.
Kaido is the first Yonko on their path, and Luffy specifically said that he wanted and that he had to defeat the Yonko in order to become pirate king.
Also Kinemon and Momo personally asked Luffy to defeat Kaido for them, Luffy also promised Tama that he will free Wano from Kaido's tyranny.
For more obvious reason that I would still mention nonetheless because it makes sense and it follows the usual pattern for this type of arc, Kaido is the main villain and Luffy is the main character.
For more obvious reason that I would still mention nonetheless because it makes sense and it follows the usual pattern for this type of arc, Kaido is the main villain and Luffy is the main character.
- It's the only other arc in which Zoro faces the main antagonist as his arc opponent
- The other was Captain Morgan at Romance Dawn
- It's the only other arc in which Zoro actively sought out his arc opponent (as opposed to just removing obstacles in Luffy's path):
- The other was Mihaw at Baratie
I believe Zoro will play an important role but I don't think he has to repeat Ryuma's feat, he can very well do something else and write his own legend.
But in that case Luffy would have to defeat Big Mom because I don't think Oda will make him a side character in the enemy's defeat.
Also Oda doesn't really like to kill his characters and I know Kaido should die plot wise but it's Oda. A defeated enemy somehow is no longer a threat for yhe people he oppressed during many years.