Something i think is pretty important in Wind Waker is there ain't a moment Link does anything particularly Ganondorf related outside the test of courage alone.
> He only makes it to the Forsaken Fortress the firdt time do to the pirates
> He only makes it through the second time again because of the pirates
> He needs the sages descendents to gain the power to properly kill Ganondorf
> He has to be save by Tetra and then they both have to be saved by Valoo and the Rito
> He and Tetra kill Ganondorf together
And note this isn't the Navi type character helping. Its characters out and about in the world showing up to help. No 3D link save for Botw/Tokt is ever TRULY alone. (and i could go crazy about the lack of Navi in botw adding so much to the mood but thets not for now) But Tetra's habit of crystal stalking and lowkey maneuvering Link in the first act of Wind Waker feels alot different to Tatl or Fi or even Midna.
Side note. How the fuck does the pirates charm work?? Like both The King and Tetra can use it. That makes it seem like a bloodline thing. Especially sense we never seem them with another charm connecting. Like yeah its a gossip stone but what the fuck even were gossip stones.
Also how much is Tetra being honest when she says she doesn't know anything about the royal family? We know she at least knew more then the average person based on her room and reaction to The Master Sword.
