Freeing Wano
I think this one is a lot more straight forward and obvious. Zoro is going to continue to contribute significantly during the Kaido conflict and play a major role in his defeat. Throughout this arc, the groups that have been highlighted the most are the Worst Generation and the Scabbards.
On top of this, the Yonko vs The Worst Generation has been a plot line ever since Punk Hazard and now not only are 2 of the 4 present, a large portion of the Worst are already in Wano. There’s also Oden’s quote in Chapter 1000 which highlights the 5 that will lead the next generation. Even among them, 2 are main characters so these 2 will standout amongst the 5.
There’s also their clothing. In the prophecy, Toki refers to both the moon and the dawn. The moon symbolizes Kozuki supporters as they wore moon tattoos on their ankles. As for the dawn… who knows? However, something directly related to the dawn is the sun. Luffy and Zoro both had sun patterns on their attire. This, to me, indicates that these 2 will be the ones who will deliver Wano’s dawn.
The thing that interests me the most is that both of them have “left their mark” on Kaido. Zoro with the scar and Luffy with the crack on the club. In my opinion, this is foreshadowing a rematch between Kaido and the duo.
A legacy
I didn’t mention it earlier but like his predecessors, I think he’ll leave behind a legend as well. Oden was known for his swordstyle. Hiyori points out that Oden was a 2 swords style swordsman and the children in act 1 are taught an altered version of Oden’s legacy where they mention his 2 swords style. Zoro is actually the opposite. Throughout all of Wano, Zoro has only used his 3 swords style twice. Once against Killer and once on the rooftop. Both times are in secluded, isolated battlefields and both in front of people who more than likely already knew about it.
The only Wano native who knows about it is Hiyori who comments on it. I think this may come into play later on. He performs a feat in front of the Wano populace using his 3 swords style and Hiyori points this out to the rest of Wano. Perhaps in a similar manner to how Toki did before her death. It would be a nice parallel and could signal the end of Wano’s 20 year night.
In the same way that Luffy’s accomplishments at Whole Cake drew Shanks’ attention Zoro’s may act as a “calling card” for Mihawk, letting him know that Zoro’s almost ready for his duel.
*Theory by Oggy5050
