I dont think its unfair to give Oda credit for predicting anything from the very beginning. Remember, he had Reilay's (sp?) design all the way back from chapter 13. And he didnt pull it out of his ass, I remember when reading Onepiece the first time through why the captain of the ship didnt look like Gol D Roger in chapter 13.

Back on topic, I know its been brought up, but how the hell is the 1st the strongest shinobi when the 3rd took on him, his brother, and Orochimaru at the same time at the age of 80?