User blog comment:Monkey.D.Me/Out of frying pan, into the FIRE !!!!/@comment-1924080-20120202032929

Here's my thoughts. Note this is all speculation and Oda can easily disprove all this like he usually does. But this arc is going to lead us into another arc. I mean it will start in Punk Hazard and perhaps we'll get a Loguetown vibe here with Smoker or perhaps an Alabasta one too.

So the 4 will battle the battle the dragon and maybe Luffy will tame it with haki. The dragon will lead Zoro especially and the other Straw Hats to Wano Country where Zoro will own his swordsmanship to the next level and get one step further to being the best swordsman. While this wouldn't be necessary to the plot but maybe Luffy might pickup some swordsmanship too but it's ok if he doesn't since his DF power doesn't require weapons.

And for Smoker, he'll be like the main antagonist for Punk Hazard resulting in a skirmish between him and Luffy. Tashigi and Zoro might have an awkward skirmish too but Zoro will now just knock her sword from her hands. The Straw Hats will escape Punk Hazard in another funny cornering by Smoker. Only this time Luffy will be the one who rescues himself thanks to his Haki. He'll like hide it from Smoker and then punch him at the last minute when you think all is lost.

That's kind of my thoughts. Now once again Oda will probably add another plot twist.