I'm still can't comprehend what the haters have against One Piece, if it's about art or something along the line, they probably hate the infamous Picasso's art too.
So, for OP, you should start taking a serious note on Arlong Park arc actually, then to the subsequent arcs. Arlong Park arc will be further explained its original issues transpired in near future.
Since you've stopped at Alabasta, then starts from there. After you kick Sir Croc's ass, board on your ship and set sail towards Skypiea through Jaya arc. Now it may sound ridiculous as you meet some kinda heaven alike place, but fans believe this arc will be one of the biggest hints on One Piece treasure, though it doesn't have more obvious clues at that time. Still, you'll find some enjoyment over a sky island adventure and how significant Luffy vs Enel + the whole arc itself are. As a bonus, there's an aftermath mini story for one of the characters involved during the arc, on several cover pages of the manga. =D
Then you're going to Water 7 since your ship needs some repair to be worked on, but you've been intercepted by Foxy Pirates and are forced to join Davy Back Fight. It's a bit annoying, yet you earn something valuable from that arc, and resume your journey to Water 7; a home of talented shipwrights. Unfortunately, fate bestow you a number of conflicts over friendships, brotherhood relationships, and a matter of trust between companions. You'll consider the arc as one of the dark arcs in One Piece quest, for you have to choose what's best for the crew. However, those conflicts lead you to Enies Lobby arc, where you follow your captain's desire to save a friend in need there. Either you succeed on saving the said nakama from CP9 agents + Marines or not, you decide. :heh:
Nothing stops you from moving on to the next arc; Thriller Bark. Lucky for you that you like thrillers and mysteries, so such spooky adventure is like a cake with cherry on top for you. Yet, it also marks the gap you have between Shichibukai and your current strength. You're not aware of the incoming tragedy after everything is done.
h:
Sabaody Archipelago arc for instance, a place where your destiny twists and the beginning of your downhill moment in your life. The gap of your strength with other opponents are again increasing, costing your friends' welfare. Still, you keep on going forward immediately, after being thrown at Amazon Lily (an arc that a man like you is discriminated by the lovely Empress), to the Impel Down to save your important one. The next big battle for you is when you have to interrupt the Paramount War in Marineford, an enormous war caused by the sole existence of the person you've previously wanted to save. There, Marines keep on getting in your way, and you've no other choice but stay firm in your path to the execution platform. :Omg:
That effort of yours, makes it all the differences. To the pirates, to the Marines, to the crews, to the Era of Pirates itself... 3D2Y, a single message that pinpoint your absolute decision. A preparation for the second half of Grand Line sea.
Romance Dawn: New World, the devilish sea brings you back in action, quench your thirst of upcoming adventures with nakama after 2 years of individual trainings. You test out your strength level in Fishmen Island arc where the conflicts from Arlong Park arc come around haunting you and the aquatic citizens. The great voyage nonetheless isn't end just yet, you cause a trouble with a notorious Yonko and set sail to Punk Hazard by mere coincidence. There, you meet a fellow pirate that once saved you and he proposes to you one hell of a deal; to defeat Yonko together despite you're still new in New World. Such agreement alone directs you to Dressrosa, an arc for you and him to wreak havoc for the sake of alliance, or so he says. You have no idea, how different the outcome of it in the end. Everyone lies.
..........Why in the world that i once again type a wall of text here.....?! >_> Nvm... you can ignore if you want.
