Loki is literally the main villain/threat of this saga. I don't know how Oda could have been more transparent, especially after the only one that could have been the main threat instead of him, Shamrock, packed his things.
I mean, last chapter we even has this:
because lighting make fire.
And based on the hints, we are about to see Loki's
lightning powers.
How Oda can be clearer? That this will be the final countdown? After everyone said Loki is a manace? After even Gaban hinted that Luffy will have to deal with Loki? After the destroyer Nika/laughing Nika thing?