I didn't listen what they talked in the 49 story yet, so don't have much opinion.
But the main story, event, nation def, whale mission do have connection.
So with the current situation in story mode (48 mission) and the event we have right now...
I think the story mode still have long way to go... too long...
So we do jump from event 60th where we met Maronie/Horse Chestnut to event 71st where Warunasubi/Nightshade appear.
With a lot of charecter hass been skip... Seem they still have a lot of story to tell us in future...