I have to agree with those that say they dislike Oda's use of destiny. I know they've been comparing Luffy to Roger since Loguetown but for MOST of the series, the comparison was limited to personality traits. Smiling at death, staying positive, etc…now it's gone from "Luffy has the same values as the pirate king!" to "Luffy is literally wearing the same hat as the pirate king."
The series (and Luffy himself) places a huge importance on freedom of choice. Luffy says he wants to be the pirate king because he is the freest man on the ocean. They use their own judgment to determine what is right, not the judgments of the world and its laws (in this very chapter, no less!). I personally find that great message to be undermined because it's becoming apparent that Luffy was somehow "fated" to do all this, and is some instrument of the gods or something instead of a man who decides to do right of his own accord.
In the beginning of the series, Luffy saying "I will be the pirate king" was awesome because it was such an audacious thing to say. Crocodile doesn't even dare say it. In my opinion it's far less meaningful to say it now.
Maybe this is some American part of us speaking out. We ain't never had royalty. I think that's why Americans hate stories of destiny. Maybe it's different for other countries.
Dude, what's with your denial?
From when Oda first put pen to paper with the whole One Piece concept, Luffy has thereon been destined to become Pirate King.
To satisfy your terms, Oda has to die before making Luffy the PK in the story, thus making any future story progress "uncertain" and not fated. Or perhaps you hold a belief that Oda may kill off Luffy in the end and create a shitstorm?