User blog comment:Ranger94/The next Arc/@comment-24850639-20150921204949

1.) In my opinion, there is no longer any such thing as "too soon". Its the New World, the series is now at the point where it will be done, or at the very least coming to a close in the next 350-500 or so chapters, and Luffy has stated that he is no longer running. Defeating a shichibukai is now small time when compared to taking on a Yonko or Admiral, so honestly that doesn't leave much left for Luffy in terms of the caliber of his opponents. Here's one thing we know for SURE: Luffy's opponents get progressively more difficult with each arc. If not the actual strength of the opponent, then some kind of stipulation or condition that makes the fight more difficult. Think about it: considering KNOWN characters so far, who can you think of that could actually hold a candle to Doflamingo, that ISN'T an Admiral or Yonko? Obviously Oda can pull any character from any background he wants out of his ass, but you've gotta do some SERIOUS convincing at this point to get us to believe that they'll hold a candle to Doffy without being an Admiral or high-ranking member of a Yonko's crew. Granted, it has been said that there are Samurai on Wano so powerful that the Gov't stays away, but I highly doubt that applies to Yonko and Admirals.

2.) I definitely see Moriah getting involved somehow, and definitely as an ally. People like him and Crocodile wouldn't just show up to the New World and disappear. They're up to something. I agree that Moriahs grudge against Kaido and the World Government would be much heavier than Luffy's. Luffy's ability to turn enemies into friends is also no secret to anyone.

3.) I said a lot of the same things you said, and was shot down rather vehemently because Film Z wasn't "canon". FUCK THAT SHIT. Oda created Z, and his backstory, and clearly had this planned out. Does this shichibukai cutting off his arm affect the storyline in any way? No. Should it be taken as part of his credentials that he's one bad ass mofo? Absolutely. Remember once upon a time, where the mention of Shichibukai struck fear? Despite the fact that they are supposed to be among the "3 Great Powers", they are nowhere near the boogeymen that they used to be. We no longer respect the institution of the Shichibukai as something that should be feared as serious threat. Mihawk could potentially be the strongest of them all, but we've more or less written him off as one of the "good" guys due to Zoro. We also know Kuma has monstrous power, but given the events at the Archipelago we also see him as more of a good guy. Furthermore, it'd be kinda backwards for them not be strong enough now to let Kuma do that to them again. Buggy is a joke, Boa is another person we haven't really seen cut loose, but we also have her pegged as good guy. Law is obvious. So honestly, Mingo was the last person we saw as making the Shichibukai worthy. Whoever this 7th one is, they HAVE to be strong enough to tip the scales.

4.) Luffy-Law-Zoro. Kid-Apoo-Hawkins-Killer. Kaido-Drake. Big Mom-Capone. That leaves Urouge and Bonney as the only wild cards left, everyone else has claimed their allegiances. In either case, Oda introduced these guys for reason, and they are definitely all going to do something pivotal, directly or indirectly. What I want to know is their backstories, and just how they became who and what they are. I'm also currently most interested in Bonney, as her past seems to have some serious ties with the World Government and Whitebeard.

5.) I see Dragon happening sooner. I dont know exactly what Dragon and the Revos are planning, but I refuse to believe that he's completely ignorant to his middle initial and what it may imply about this destiny. I actually think Dragon will be the one to give Luffy the full story himself, upon their meeting. The hints about it the D meaning something used to be rather few and far between, but now the Dressrosa Arc has laid it on pretty heavy (so to speak, 5+ references to it in the same arc is heavy to me). Ryokugyu we know absolutely nothing about at all as of yet, so I can't really say what to expect.

6.) Whoever CP0 is, whatever they are, I believe its worth noting that they are actively pursuing the Revos, and seem much less interested in the pirates. This makes perfect sense, I'd imagine CP0 is dispatched to handle issues that could have serious political ramifications like what the Revos agenda, as opposed to some pirates looting and causing trouble at sea. Obviously the throne of Dressrosa and its future is more of a goal for them than capturing Monkey D. Luffy. Couldn't say anything about their strength as of now I guess, but I take Sabo's reluctance to fight them as a strategic retreat to not make Dressrosa a warzone, not him maybe being uncertain about fighting them.