It wasn't really a conflict in my opinion, more like a misunderstanding. Yuri(black panther) thought that Zen was dragging Al down and making things harder for Al so as a friend, he proposed the idea to Zen to lessen the burden his friend is carrying. When he noticed that Zen was genuinely unable to accept his commands, he proposed to stop it but it took Zen quite a bit to realize he really didn't want anyone else's commands but Als' so it felt dragged on. His character in my understanding, is someone meant to further the relationship between the lead characters. To make them realize they meant more to each other than just duties/responsibility.
Also yeah he got twinkified the more the story went on lol it was so obvious
maybe I'm just dumb but their whole conflict felt stupid like for the entire time I thought the blank panther guy had ulterior motives and then actually doesn't?? tbh I just don't get his character at all.
also, is it just me or does zen actually gets twinkified the more the story progresses??