I like Dragon saving Luffy. Smoker is only a big shot in East Blue. Dude is still only a _captain_. If Luffy can't even beat him to get into the Grand Line... well I think that builds up the danger even more. And yeah, like you said, Luffy _did not_ earn it.
Also I think you might have missed Buggy calling the Grand Line "nostalgic."
jahschwa
2023-11-21 05:47:08 +0000 UTC
Loguetown is a conclusion of east blue and a setup for next saga at the same time. Oda loves his set up arcs, it's just the first example of this.