Yeah, you want to explore them, but at the same time you don't want to delve too deep, in case the canon stomps on all your ideas.

Oh yeah, definitely something bigger. I swear it makes me tremble with excitement just to think about it. With any other manga I'd think we were getting ready for the final battle, but they're still only halfway through then Grand Line! By the actual ending I'm going to burst into flames! XD