They could just be brought back to Elbaf with Imu's help
A big reason the Straw Hats actually need to ally with Gunko/Shuri here is they need to learn how to destroy the Magic Circles in Aurust Castle and the other one Gunko made on a random branch. It's possible Imu already blew up the one in Aurust, I'm not sure, but, until those Circles are destroyed, you're completely correct, Imu can just spawn everybody back in.
I also wonder what would happen if you destroy a Magic Circle while someone is being summoned. Do you get lost in the Abyss? Do you end up in... Hell? Tar D. Eris? What's going on?
I think the Gorosei/God's Knights don't suffer from a water weakness.
Otherwise all the Gorosei in this panel are REALLY FUCKING STUPID
They're all heading for the water, here.
My guess is Oda is going to have Jinbe try to defeat a God's Knight with Fish-Men Karate and throw them into water, only for them to be fine, and so Oda can give my man more Ls.
Come on, Oda. At least let Jinbe fight Zaza. I guess he's still worried about Gunko turning on them? What's the worst that Gunko is gonna do to Brook? KILL HIM? BUT HE'S ALREADY DEAD, SKULL JOKE, YOHOHOHOHOHO
Still hoping for Brook Awakening vs Gunko/Shuri