Hypothetically, if Luffy saved Zoro but didn't invite him to join the crew and left Zoro alone, would Zoro still become the world's strongest swordsman?

I know it's a weird hypothetical because the reason Luffy went to save Zoro in the first place is to force him to join his crew. But imagine for whatever reason Zoro does not join the crew and doesn't die either, how differently would things play out for him?

Would he stay a bum in East Blue?

Would he manage to climb to the top regardless through a very different path?

What do you think