Dragon being a ghost for over 20 years after making his appearance in Loguetown pretty much destroyed his character and any significant role he could have played in the story. Revos suck as well, not even Luffy’s mom will save the Revos from looking bad. Akainu’s importance in the story is starting to fade as well, that started as soon as Imu showed up. Looney Tunes Nika is gonna hog all the action from now on.
This is exactly my issue with Odas writing and depiction of them. Now Lolda is trying to make Saturn and the Gorosei overshadow the Admirals and hes added another random new faction/enemy force of the 9 Holy Shites. They're gonna be the Scabbards of the WG probably. Forgettable I'm sure and probably cringe.
Although I love that theory that its Shanks and his crew, I've suspected him and his whole crew are feds for the WG for years now. Shanks and his "templars/crusaders".
Miahwk has some unknown reason for refusing to duel Shanks and it might be more personal/vengeful than we think too.
But yeah, I can't see Dragon and Akainu living up to the hype, as much as I like both of them, especially Akainu too.
Between Reverie and this arc, Dragon looks absolutely fucking awful and Oda even made him look ridiculous with that one soyjak panel of him screaming at Kuma like Dragon had the rubber fruit all along and stretched his face so much.
Doesn't help the Loguetown episodes were cut from the LA and Dragon's actor was pissed because he put a LOT of effort and heart into them and a lot was cut out too of him.