@Seafarer33:
Yet I'm pretty certain readers had far more expectations for Roger and Whitebeard than they had for Oden. I know I did, I've been wanting to see these 2 for the best part of a decade whereas Oden was but a vague silhouette until a few months ago.
Besides, we barely see Oden in Oden's flashback. Sure he is on panel all the time, but it's all flashing forward and feels like most events are handled in under a couple pages. So I really wouldn't get my hopes up for a lengthy Shanks and Blackbeard confrontation, unless they're at the center of the final war. But if Shanks has to go before the endgame begins ? I really don't think he can afford 10 chapters. Assuming Oda really wraps up One Piece in 5 years, that's roughly 200 chapters with breaks. Of which 50 could be dedicated to finishing Wano as far as I know, so it seems far-fetched that a whole 10 of the remainder would focus solely on Shanks vs Blackbeard when there's so much left to tell. There will probably be at some point a flashback that explores their shared history, Blackbeard's ties with Rox and Shanks' with the World Gov, but a detailed battle really seems out of reach seeing how much of the storytelling is rushed these days.
I think the idea of the entire series ending in under 200 chapters including Wano is actually crazy. Like, I can't see any possible way without it being the MOST rushed ending of anything… ever. I just don't believe that to be the case. I take the 'five years' thing with a grain of salt. Oda's never been right about his estimates before. No reason to start believing him now.
--- Update From New Post Merge ---
So, I don't think Luffy's taking down Kaido one on one. The prophecy was 'nine scabbards.' I think it'll be nine. Luffy, Law, Kidd, Drake... Moria, Katakuri, Marco, Momo, and Tama? I dunno. My guess. Maybe sub in Zoro and/or one of the actual scabbards. Maybe all of the Straw Hats? Either way, 9 vs. 1.
I think Kaido received the immortality operation - and thus can't be killed. Explaining why he survived the massive wound left by Oden. Oden probably won the duel, but failed to kill Kaido because Kaido can't be killed.