Is anyone here more satisfied by the first idea?
I don't think it matters?
I don't even think many Japanese readers know what the word for trope means.
Here's a lonely page dedicated to attempting to explain what the hell a trope even is https://www.serendipity.page/b/2021/06/trope/
It'd be like asking them to deeply care about something they have zero connection to. I've never even seen any form of organized criticism for half the things that get foreign fans riled up.
And if that's how they express their passion, cool! I don't think they should feel the need to emulate Japan, period. But boy is it nice to exist in a culture that accepts these characters as Oda's and not their personal action figures.
So who is Oda avoiding those questions for? Detailing that answer could:
1. Affect many of his characters, possibly negatively, image-wise.
2. Be setting a rule in stone that he hasn't fully fleshed out.
3. Make the story difficult for him to write due to contradictions.
4. Create behind-the-scenes stress where it can easily be avoided.
and of course…
5. Remove exchange of ideas/excitement from the story.
Backtracking established lore is not an easy thing. What's worse? Introducing a detailed rule and walking it back, or alluding to a vague rule without much detail and leaving it open to discussion/debate?
Not only does it create excitement and buzz among fans, but it also gives Oda plenty of breathing room. Remember, while we're seeing the story unfold each week, the plot progression is going through Oda's mind in a very different way. He has to make sure what he introduces will never contradict past information. He's made that mistake before and lemme tell you, he cast an insanely risky lure which everyone just happened to take. Hook, line, and sinker! He was super lucky (and he didn't even come up with said resolution himself!).
That's why it's not a simple issue with a simple answer. There's so much involved in every choice.
In short, casual Japanese readers could stand to be more critical and Western readers might benefit from remembering that the story isn't their own to tell so when it doesn't go their way, they don't throw a fit.