User blog comment:Wariwariparty/Who's gonna fight Blackbeard?/@comment-78.134.17.43-20200522152551/@comment-108.83.222.210-20200522211858

There are many ways Oda can play this although I agree that it will likely be personal for the Strawhats. It is already personal for Luffy regarding Blackbeard which is why aside from him being a rival and mirror image of Luffy I can agree that the two leaders will do battle. The Blackbeard pirates are a dark reflection of the Strawhats, it is part of why I rather like them as opponents for them. Some such as Usopp vs Van Auger is a clash of personalities as well as between two individuals of their particular profession and Chopper vs Doc Q is rather similar. I am not certain about anyone else, although your theories have interesting merits to them. As far as Zoro vs Shiryuu goes, I would make an observation. Zoro tends to avoid striking his opponent from behind and while he takes enjoyment in battling and defeating his opponents and has no issue dealing fatal damage if he deems it necessary, he is not one to kill for pleasure or without reason. Shiryuu seems to be his opposite in these regards, he has no sense of honor that we can see nor does he seem to shy away from cutting down people for no other reason then his own enjoyment. He reminds me of someone in a another anime who seemed to view a sword as a weapon thirsty for blood and that existed purely to shed blood for the sake of the wielder's enjoyment. Just an observation.