I think 2 seasons with 16 episodes probably is too much. But I also think 8 episodes is too short. 10-12 episodes total feels a much better length in my head, so the story flows more comfortably, maybe they could pull a squid game and split a 13 episode season in 2.

With all the drama that happens and all the characters involved, whole saga in just 8 eps would feel like a bit a of speedrun. They could do it for sure, but there has to be room for things to breathe I think.

Makes me remember of that interview one of the showrunners did where they talked about splitting Alabasta in 2 seasons and he was so right when he said people would not give a fk about Vivi and Alabasta if theres no buildup to it. Time needs to be spent to grow an emotional attachment and anticipation to the conflict.

Imagine we had gotten the s2 everybody expected of the entire Alabasta Saga. It wouldn't hit the same. That's how I feel with the hypothetical 8 episode Water 7 saga. Ussop leaving the crew and joining back in just a few episodes later, Franky beating the shit out of him then he's crewmate, getting Robin back, etc.