User blog comment:Kaido King of the Beasts/Chapter 912: A Futile Feudal Life/@comment-80.112.150.83-20180720154343/@comment-7614831-20180727201302

@HanataSanchou I hear what you're saying with regards to the Sandai's importance to Zoro, and there may well indeed be a moment in the next couple of chapters where Luffy will tactlessly suggest Zoro use Nidai instead, only to have some sort of page-long lecture about the importance of a sword's individuality. However, I still believe that there is a high likelihood of Zoro facing an enemy with the power to irrevocably dismantle one of his swords (maybe Apoo, for example) later on in this arc, thereby forcing him to adopt a new sword. And, if that's the case, then Nidai seems the logical progression to his weakest-grade sword, Sandai...

...however, your suggestion that he could potentially lose the Wado Ichimonji in this arc is a very appealing twist: so far, Zoro's other two swords have had their strong connections to Wano made explicit in the last couple of chapters set in Wano, with reminders both that Shusui is a national treasure, as well as a personal encounter with the lineage/heritage of the Kitetsu swords, thereby providing reasons for either of those swords to remain/no longer be used. These instances also serve to highlight the fact that the Wado Ichimonji is a relatively unknown quanitity in terms of its origins: yes, Kuina's family had it for years, but where did they obtain it from? Whilst we're on the subject, I don't buy the Kuina still being alive thing but, then again, stranger things have happened >_>

As for the potential for Shodai to turn up in this arc: looking at the similarity of the hilts, I agree that there is a compelling argument to be made that Gorosei Gandhi is most likely in possession of it, and this arc is already busy enough without a Gorosei turning up in Wano as well haha ^_^