The issue is trying to localize them to separate arcs when you consider power progression. Like we are getting to a really weird point after Kizaru (at least in his case Kaido was a Yonko and he's an Admiral). And im not saying the arc would be short, far from it. It might be the series' biggest arc as a result, in order to go into both of them completely.
We have some time before this, and maybe even another arc, but whats weird to me is we either end up pairing Akainu with the Yonko's fight over the 4th RP, or he's paired with defending the WG (Imu). Unless he's specifically Elbaf's villain, I'm not sure what individual arc Akainu is meant to have if he's not preventing Yonko going to Laugh Tale or being the first wall against the WG.
In the formers defense, at least he would be treated as an equal threat and not someone the WG is just using to protect themselves.
We have some time before this, and maybe even another arc, but whats weird to me is we either end up pairing Akainu with the Yonko's fight over the 4th RP, or he's paired with defending the WG (Imu). Unless he's specifically Elbaf's villain, I'm not sure what individual arc Akainu is meant to have if he's not preventing Yonko going to Laugh Tale or being the first wall against the WG.
In the formers defense, at least he would be treated as an equal threat and not someone the WG is just using to protect themselves.
He gave WSC title to someone who fell way before the final war which speak for itself.
Second, both BB and Akainu are the only antagonists which Oda has build against luffy. There is bad blood between them. It's personal. No other opponent got this build up so far. This makes both failing to luffy more sense which isn't possible in one go.
Now, one can argue that it will be Sabo who will defeat Akainu ( which I think is less likely because Alainu is too big to go down to Side character) but even in this scenario RA has to ally with SHs and as of now there is no build up for this as well.
Third, it's not WG needs to interject but it's more like they might not able to.
Burn scar man has 4th RPG and he is out there on sea. No one knows where he is.
And, the moment SHs will get 4th RPG then WG won't be able to do anything anyway... because you can only find location of laugh take through all four RPG.
Plot progression is very simple to me
Yonkous will take each other out..and only Luffy will emerge victor..no one else because Laugh tale is where we learn about void century so oda won't spoil this grand of a moment by making anyone else PK.
Once Luffy becomes PK, then he will set on war with WG.
Since navy is at forefront so he will fight Akainu and then IMu.