Alot of people are noticeing that many of the cover arcs end up affecting the story line later on. A very few it allows them to return as recuring parts (Coby, Jango, Gedastu). Most of those people end up playing a big part in some future story, from Buggy's solo adventure, Ace's hunt for Blackbeard or Hatchi's escape. All those had a part to play in the main story line. Wapol's involvement will be coming up, wheter as a another cover arc or within the main storyline (confusing way to say inside the story instead of on the cover)
Whcih begs the question, when and in what way will we see Enel or CP9? Oh wait thats right we haven't seen Gedastu since his arc either…but I don't see him as big a player like Enel and the former CP9. WEll I say former since they are not with the Govt. anymore, wonder if the govt will them something cheesy like "the 9" ?
@Roronoa:
In the decks of the world, Wapol was the only villain shown so far.
Everyone else hasn't been shown in this series.
Wapol also isn't that unimportant: if he had not developped his alloy in exile, there'd probably be no Franky Shogun. @ least it couldn't transform. I thought Yosaku and Johnny would have a big return in the NW, but the series showed that they're still stuck in cocoyashi village.
I also wonder why Oda gives us no Gin. If he wasn't relevant to the future main plot he could have shown Gin in the series.
@Gia:
Usually if he plans then to be relevant later on he gives them a cover story. Enel, Hatchan, Crocodile, Buggy, and Gadetsu were all villains**…..so I dont get the only villain part**….
I think its becasue he's a king agin and the reverie is coming up. So far thats the only hint I can find, http://www.mangareader.net/one-piece/635 the title says that the World Government acknowledges Wapol and the Evil Black Drum Kingdom is born. From the covers with Vivi, Pell & Chaka, plus the actaul story line, we know the reverie is coming up. Something is going to happen then, what and how is a good question.