>>280226429
>where was that ever stated?
not outright stated but spelled out with how Oden was willing to do anything, even tolerate 'moderate' oppression of Wano, if it meant ensuring Wano's borders would be opened to recieve the second coming of Joyboy. And as we learned at the end of Wano, opening the borders is synonymous with unleashing Pluton. We also know that Joyboy's plans involved Poseidon and the Noah. So its logical to infer that all three ancient weapons are part of this plan. And it got confirmed in the Roger flashback that the only way to learn what the hell that plan actually is, is to get to Laughtale and find the One Piece
no he said "They will find the One Piece in the final saga"
>didn't Oda mention in an interview that "the story will end when the One Piece is found"?
as opposed to the story ending with Luffy never finding the One Piece
and Oda referred to everything post-wano as 'The Final Saga' in the statement he put out during the hiatus between Wano and Egghead

Put simply, none of these story elements would serve any purpose at all if Luffy was going to defeat the WG and Imu before reaching Laughtale.