Someone who stole Wano’s national treasure and caused misfortune to befall the country as they incurred the wrath of the Sword God.
Even the person most sympathetic to Zoro (Hiyori) insisted that he return their treasure.
Stressing that it’s revered as a relic.
Yet, Zoro is going to visit Ryuma’s grave after the end of the war.
Before that visit, he needs to be acknowledged as a hero to the people of Wano. He must be vindicated. Ryuma’s soul and Shusui itself personally chose Zoro after all.
Saving Wano in its most dire moment and coincidentally replicating Ryuma’s legend vindicates Zoro.
Defeating King does not. None of the people in the Flower Capital cares about King. King is not the source of their torment and oppression. He was never a threat to them. Kaido is.
Zoro Killing Kaido isn’t necessary to get a Ryuma parallel. It doesn’t need to happen for the fanservice of Zoro cutting a dragon. It’s actually important for Zoro’s character that he’s vindicated in this way to the people of Wano Kuni.
This is what I mean when I tell the detractors: “you don’t even understand ZKK”. Their complaints don’t actually engage with the theory. They just refute and debunk a caricature of the theory, not the actual theory.
The Ryuma argument was never solely about Zoro paralleling Ryuma by slaying a dragon.
1-It’s a conclusion to Zoro’s plot threads with Shusui, Ryuma and Enma. Plot threads that began long ago in Thriller Bark.
2-It’s a vindication of Zoro’s character. He’ll transform from a grave robber and murderer to a National Hero.
3-And it’s an important step in the forging of Zoro’s own legend. He will be recognised as the “Second Ryuma”.
One Piece Magazine Volume 6 said: Perhaps a strong Samurai who people call the “second Ryuma” has already been born. Oda already laid the groundwork for this by highlighting Zoro’s connection to Ryuma at the start of his battle with King.
*Theory by Cinera
