Next Straw Hat Crewmates (Vol. 7 - Wano)

[Deicide]

@Claudio:

Over as in they have not returned yet.

If that's the case, there wouldn't still be a blockade in the Red Line.

Based on what?

On the fact that it's in his nature to cause chaos to powerful organizations and he failed in his previous attempt.

Because of Lola, yes. I think it it is possible. Lola is also something she wants and right now she is after Zeus. The alliance with Kaido also has much greater aims than just getting Luffy.

She can always get Lola later, it's not like not getting Lola harms her reputation.

Im not trying to say the Elbaf arc has to be all about Big Mom just that she has to be there in order to learn the truth about Carmel and confront the truth on what she did when she was a kid. Streusen may have to be there for that as well because he knows and he pretty much sent Big Mom down the path she went.

I don't think anyone in Elbaf nor Streusen knows about Carmel's true nature. Carmel was accepted in Elbaf through manipulation, and no one but the higher echelons of the government knew about her. That little tidbit of her selling children to the government is probably going to tie into CP0 or some other stuff in the next saga. If we didn't get that info in Big Mom's flashback, it wouldn't have changed any of Big Mom's memories.

[Claudio]

@Deicide:

If that's the case, there wouldn't still be a blockade in the Red Line.

How do you know it's still there? The point is we can't say how much space and time their is between the cover story between chapter 954 and chapter 955.

On the fact that it's in his nature to cause chaos to powerful organizations and he failed in his previous attempt.

That does not translate to him trying to Kill Big Mom again. You're better off arguing Lola will find out what happened and will want to set things straight in Wano since she apperantely doesn't know her Mom is upset with her.

She can always get Lola later, it's not like not getting Lola harms her reputation.

In her mind, Lola screwed her over. Maybe worse than Luffy so I can see it happening.

I don't think anyone in Elbaf nor Streusen knows about Carmel's true nature. Carmel was accepted in Elbaf through manipulation, and no one but the higher echelons of the government knew about her. That little tidbit of her selling children to the government is probably going to tie into CP0 or some other stuff in the next saga. If we didn't get that info in Big Mom's flashback, it wouldn't have changed any of Big Mom's memories.

She has to learn the truth though. In the case of Carmel's true nature and that she ate her along with the kids. Elbaf is the place to learn that and finally be done with Big Mom.

[Deicide]

@Claudio:

How do you know it's still there? The point is we can't say how much space and time their is between the cover story between chapter 954 and chapter 955.

Because that's what's the story is telling us?
You assume enough days happen between one cover and the other, but that's not information that comes from the story itself.

That does not translate to him trying to Kill Big Mom again. You're better off arguing Lola will find out what happened and will want to set things straight in Wano since she apperantely doesn't know her Mom is upset with her.

In her mind, Lola screwed her over. Maybe worse than Luffy so I can see it happening.

She has to learn the truth though. In the case of Carmel's true nature and that she ate her along with the kids. Elbaf is the place to learn that and finally be done with Big Mom.

Ok, I get it, you have different expectations.

Well, the cover story probably has 10 or so chapters remaining. Let's see where it leads. My bet is that it somehow leads the Firetanks to Wano.

[Claudio]

@Deicide:

Because that's what's the story is telling us?
You assume enough days happen between one cover and the other, but that's not information that comes from the story itself.

The story told us the reason they couldn't go to paradise to look for Lola, where they assumed she would be just like we did.
How much distance and time do you assume is between the cover story of chapter 954 and chapter 955? I'm not assuming anything. I'm just talking possibilities because I don't know.

Ok, I get it, you have different expectations.

Well, the cover story probably has 10 or so chapters remaining. Let's see where it leads. My bet is that it somehow leads the Firetanks to Wano.

I'm not confident predicting how many more chapters the cover story has left or what they will be about exactly but I seem to remember that we are clearly told when they are over. I'm not sure though and it looks to me like the latest chapter is a good way to end it.

[Shiebs]

Again I don't think Yamato will join but at the very least let's wait for his true appearance before we decide

one reason I doubt it though is that we already have two Japanese themed straw hat crew members with Zoro and Jinbei

but again I'll wait for his design first before speculating, I've learned my lesson after Manshelly and Shutenmaru

[Deicide]

To me, the fact that Jinbe is only now becoming a true Straw Hat, with his official party schedule for the end of this arc, makes anyone else joining in Wano unlikely.

[Cockycent]

His design is supposed to decide if he joins?

[Shiebs]

@Cockycent:

His design is supposed to decide if he joins?

Lol not only the design matters silly, I'm not saying if has a good design that automatically means he'll join

But the same can not be said about the opposite, basically if he has a bland/regular or ugly design chances are he won't join at all

if he has a good/interesting design at least he has a chance is all I'm saying

[Monquito]

Whenever a new characer pops up, I always imagine him/her how it would be to have the character in every anime Opening from now on.
If my brain goes "eeughh", I don't support it.
If my brain goes "yaaayy", I support it.

So yeah, design's very important.

[Cockycent]

Nami is Robin with an orange wig

[uniaka ikuzakas]

I do wonder what oda is doing with the sons of yonkous, Katakuri, weevil, yamato. Katakuri and yamato are already buddies with luffy, I guess that will be the case for weevil too. But none will join the crew. They could be luffy rivals, since from the supernovas outside of Kidd and barely law none seem to work as rivals, and nothing from marines either.

[Triceron]

I don't see why design is important when initial designs of characters change over time. Even an ally like Vivi looked completely different when she was first introduced, and softened dramatically when she was revealed as a Princess. Jinbe even softened his look a lot compared to the early days.

[Shift]

@Deicide:

To me, the fact that Jinbe is only now becoming a true Straw Hat, with his official party schedule for the end of this arc, makes anyone else joining in Wano unlikely.

If Jinbe was the only one set to join, there was no reason to delay his joining past the first time in FI. He could have joined at the end of WCI, but Oda sent him away again. They could have easily toasted him before Onigashima and no one would have batted an eye, but still Oda holds back.

There's something(/one) still causing a hold up after all these years, and I obviously believe that someone is Carrot. She's been there both times the non-party happened, and as a major part of their adventure both times, her exclusion would have been highly suspect.

[theackwardstation]

I've mentioned it before, but I believe Jimbe and Carrot come as a pair.

They both would play the racial role for the Strawhats to give more substance to the endgame lore that we've been hinted at. Minks and fishmen being the two most meaningful races in the series (alongside giants), and both connected to Joyboy and the ancient kingdom. And the history of both are different enough to complement each other instead of being redundant (we have to see more about the minks though, which I think will be revealed by the end of Wano). The other races are already in the grand fleet.
Funnily enough, Oden recruited his minks and fishman followers (Inu, Neko and Kawamatsu) at the same time when they were being crucified in the beach, which is a good parallel to me.

As characters, Jimbe and Carrot are opposites in a lot of aspects, which is interesting as a pair to add to the crew.
Jimbe is a fishman, Carrot is a mink.
Jimbe is the sun, Carrot is the moon.
Jimbe is the sea, Carrot is the air.
Jimbe is veteran/old, Carrot is rookie/young.
Jimbe is a man, Carrot is a girl.
Jimbe is big, Carrot is small.
Jimbe is serious, Carrot is upbeat.

[Daz]

If Jinbe was put on the backburner after WCI for the sake of another crewmate, and if that crewmate is supposed to be carrot, sidelining her for the entirety of Jinbes absence seems a really inefficient way to go about it

[Cockycent]

Well, Nami was "sidelined" for most of Baratie

[Monquito]

@Cockycent:

Well, Nami was "sidelined" for most of Baratie

she wasn't, she just left the place.

[Shift]

@Daz:

If Jinbe was put on the backburner after WCI for the sake of another crewmate, and if that crewmate is supposed to be carrot, sidelining her for the entirety of Jinbes absence seems a really inefficient way to go about it

I get that: I wanted to see more out of Carrot during Wano proper. But if she had stood out too much before Jinbe came back, her place as the tenth would have interfered with Jinbe's as the ninth. Not to mention Oda knows people are keen to find that tenth, so he can't lay it on too thick or there'd be no speculation left.

The fact is, she's back on active duty, she's in a prime position to do something big, and it could very well be that she'll show off Sulong in front of Luffy to cement her place in his eyes. He knows her, he trusts her. All he needs is a reason to say that she's cool.

[Cockycent]

Nami wasn't present. Sanji joined, Zoro made a vow to Luffy and Nami was just benched for most of the arc.

At least Carrot was shown actively committed to a job and returned within the arc.

[Monquito]

@theackwardstation:

The other races are already in the grand fleet.

we're lacking long-necks, three-eyes, King's and Urouge is his own race too.:ninja:

[Triceron]

King for nakama :ninja:

[Daz]

@Shift:

I get that: I wanted to see more out of Carrot during Wano proper. But if she had stood out too much before Jinbe came back, her place as the tenth would have interfered with Jinbe's as the ninth. Not to mention Oda knows people are keen to find that tenth, so he can't lay it on too thick or there'd be no speculation left.

The fact is, she's back on active duty, she's in a prime position to do something big, and it could very well be that she'll show off Sulong in front of Luffy to cement her place in his eyes. He knows her, he trusts her. All he needs is a reason to say that she's cool.

I'm not sure I follow;
On the one hand, you say Jinbe was held back for Carrots sake, but on the other hand you say that Carrot couldn't be spotlighted in Jinbes absence…? I mean, speculation for a tenth crewmate would've been present either way, but from the perspective of it boosting Carrots chances I can't see how Oda choosing to hold Jinbe back helped; as is, in terms of storytelling function, it gives Oda one less Straw hat to worry about at a time where he's generally underserving them, it gives an plausible reason for how people could escape Big Mom while at the same time giving a dramatic capper to WCI, it allows for a cool Nick-Of-Time reappearance of Jinbe, which lets the story immediately build on this momentum and transition into a celebration of his joining at a time where the entire crew is present (which was not the case at the start of Wano)... In comparison I don't really see how grooming Carrot as a crewmember was a major outcome

[Cockycent]

King, Yamato, Drake, Marco and Jinbe in 1 arc. GOAT crew

[NamiRobinFrankyAce]

@Cockycent:

King, Yamato, Drake, Marco and Jinbe in 1 arc. GOAT crew

I am sorry but i have to say it #AllMales

[Claudio]

@Cockycent:

Nami wasn't present. Sanji joined, Zoro made a vow to Luffy and Nami was just benched for most of the arc.

At least Carrot was shown actively committed to a job and returned within the arc.

Nami still had a greater impact in that arc than Carrot has in all three she's been in.

[Cockycent]

Yup, that's why I voted for none of the above. It doesn't have Drake or Marco

[Shift]

@Daz:

I'm not sure I follow;
On the one hand, you say Jinbe was held back for Carrots sake, but on the other hand you say that Carrot couldn't be spotlighted in Jinbes absence…?

She received a fair amount of development on WCI, but the really relevant parts, Pedro's death, Luffy's call to everyone to protect the ship, Carrot saving the day with Sulong, those only happened when Jinbe's place on the ship was secure. When he left, she went back into the background, and now that he's back for good, she's in the forefront again. I would have given her more to do myself, but I think the intention was to not upstage Jinbe while he wasn't there to hold his spot in line, so to speak.

I mean, speculation for a tenth crewmate would've been present either way, but from the perspective of it boosting Carrots chances I can't see how Oda choosing to hold Jinbe back helped; as is, in terms of storytelling function, it gives Oda one less Straw hat to worry about at a time where he's generally underserving them, it gives an plausible reason for how people could escape Big Mom while at the same time giving a dramatic capper to WCI, it allows for a cool Nick-Of-Time reappearance of Jinbe, which lets the story immediately build on this momentum and transition into a celebration of his joining at a time where the entire crew is present (which was not the case at the start of Wano)… In comparison I don't really see how grooming Carrot as a crewmember was a major outcome

Just about any way Oda wrote it would have been plausible. Pedro didn't sacrifice himself just because Oda couldn't have saved the crew otherwise. Same goes for Jinbe needing to be the one to create the diversion. The story would have worked just as well if Jinbe and Pedro had made it to Wano and joined that operation. It could have been Cat Viper or Marco coming in with the last minute save. There's a million ways Oda could have written the story, and none of them strictly needed Carrot, either.

What is needed is time, and Oda gave Carrot plenty of that time already. Time to fold her in gradually, to build up a rapport with the crew. She connected with Nami, then Chopper, then Brook and then Sanji. She even impressed Jinbe with how adept she was at Sulong. The time is not something that can be added on the fly. Oda made a conscious choice to include Carrot on these important, personal escapades with the crew, and she's with them still. She doesn't have to be the brightest star in the room all the time. What she needs is her moment to shine, specifically in front of Luffy, and I can feel that moment is coming soon.

[Zhenja]

@Shift:

What she needs is her moment to shine, specifically in front of Luffy, and I can feel that moment is coming soon.

Going to be hard for her to do that especially when all the other Minks are present and can pretty much do the same stuff she can.

Turning Sulong and impressing Luffy might just be enough, but her connection to Luffy is still minor.

[Monquito]

I have the feeling that a lot of Minks are going to faint/fall asleep after doing Sulong, much like Carrot.

Which makes me think, the Sulong moment will come much later into the battle.

[Deicide]

@Daz:

I'm not sure I follow;
On the one hand, you say Jinbe was held back for Carrots sake, but on the other hand you say that Carrot couldn't be spotlighted in Jinbes absence…? I mean, speculation for a tenth crewmate would've been present either way, but from the perspective of it boosting Carrots chances I can't see how Oda choosing to hold Jinbe back helped; as is, in terms of storytelling function, it gives Oda one less Straw hat to worry about at a time where he's generally underserving them, it gives an plausible reason for how people could escape Big Mom while at the same time giving a dramatic capper to WCI, it allows for a cool Nick-Of-Time reappearance of Jinbe, which lets the story immediately build on this momentum and transition into a celebration of his joining at a time where the entire crew is present (which was not the case at the start of Wano)... In comparison I don't really see how grooming Carrot as a crewmember was a major outcome

I agree with every word in this.

As I said, in-universe, if Carrot just asks, Luffy would welcome her in the crew. She's fun and able to handle herself, that's all that matters to him.

But, from a narrative standpoint, Carrot is lacking. She's very shallow and has been neglected for the past 80 chapters. If Jinbe's absence was for her benefit, then it wasn't handled well and she failed to do anything until his return.

Instead, the way I see it is that Jinbe's membership was delayed because he's the Straw Hat that joins in this arc, or, like I've been saying, in this saga, because that's how New World crewmates will be added IMO. The single-arc structure is no longer necessary.

[Syphin]

Couldn't Oda just be focusing on Carrot the way he has to develop her as a close ally to the Straw Hat Pirates and one of the major Minks that will assist the Straw Hat Pirates in their coming battles/conflicts like the allies the Straw Hat Pirates have already made? To me it appears if Oda wanted to focus on a new nakama, more effort, time and relevance would have gone into portraying that particular character. A nakama character should be integral to the story.

With Jinbe, Oda has time and time again gone out his way to highlight Jinbe, and to immense success I might add. All that love and passion inherent in Jinbe's portrayal makes it hard for one not to be moved. I initially was indifferent about Jinbe, disinterested in his character design and story but through the course of Oda's focus on Jinbe I became more intrigued by his character and now I find myself being a fervent enthusiast of Jinbe. He is inspiring. It was the Marineford War arc that changed my opinion of Jinbe's story and it was the Fishman Island arc that made me fall in love with Jinbe's design and how strikingly unique and memorable it was once amongst other Fishman/Merfolk.

Luffy and Jinbe share something none of the other characters in One Piece have and it is one of the most significant and intimate moments in Luffy’s life - Luffy was alone and in a broken state and it was Jinbe who helped Luffy out from that darkness. And then there is the event on Fishman Island that represented the beginning of coexistence between Fishman and Human and the future towards the Sun sought after by Queen Otohime and all Fishman. With what happened during the Levely Arc, in this moment more than any other, Jinbe’s desire to bridge the gap between Fishmen and Humans is filled with relevance - The sparks Otohime nurtured now having through Mjosgard grown into an enveloping fire, there is worth in others continuing her legacy.

Oda has also established Jinbe holds the same level of conviction as the rest of the Straw Hat Pirates by his display of will power in the very face of Big Mom and being unmoved. Jinbe’s resolve completely nullified Big Mom’s soul sucking ability relative to himself. In regards to Jinbe's role on the ship, Oda has deepened the relevance of his role with the events of the Yonko saga. Because of Jinbe, the Big Mom Pirates weren't able to sink the Thousand Sunny. Jinbe's experience and knowledge will also come into play going forward - we all seen how Luffy and Zoro fared with no knowledge about Apoo's powers and how it functions. That massive gap in preparedness for the Straw Hat Pirates is filled by Jinbe. With the Straw Hat Pirates now facing off against the Yonko crews, not being aware of their opponents abilities or opponents in general can mean defeat. The knowledge and experience Jinbe holds can turn an impossible situation into a winnable one.

An immense amount of effort has gone into developing Jinbe as an interesting character and as a Straw Hat nakama. When looking at these current nakama candidates in the shadow of Jinbe, they all feel inadequate and uninspiring. In terms of Carrot, Oda hasn't done anything truly memorable with Carrot yet so I agree that from a narrative standpoint, at present she is lacking as a nakama.

[RobinotX]

@Claudio:

I cannot. Carrot is a very lackluster character compared to Nami and Robin when they joined.

I disagree. She is a similar to Chopper and Usopp when they didnt know about the world so in that sense I do like her sense of traveling

@Claudio:

Why does this matter in regards to joining the crew?

Nothing perse. It is something that I noticed from the third person that joined the crew in the previous seas. The beauty is: either there is a pattern or there isn't. But we only will know when we get a statement the crew is complete or the series is finished. Let say it differently it could mean something. Cause isn't it weird that there are similarities in some cases to how people joined?

@Claudio:

I think it's more of a tag along story like Law, Kin'emon, and Momo but more lackluster. Maybe Carrot, unlike Pekoms and Pedro, was uneccesary but I think their needed to be a mink that wouldn't be left behind and could fit well in the arc. Maybe to plant the seeds for her to be the future leader of the minks.

Obviously they have shown in the current war that we have Wanda and Shishilian taking up that role. Like I said, she didn't need to join. And one of the only reasons I can think of she did was getting us used to her in the dynamics of the crew. She talks about the Sunny as she was part of the crew and the parallel towards how the Minks joined both Roger and Whitebeard are quite big as well. Which is also rightly shown that the Minks didn't joined Raftel. I do wanna put in that sense that a cabin boy or girl wouldn't work either as they didn't go to Raftel. And as far as we know Tom was unofficialy the shipwright of the Roger pirates (?). He didn't even travel with them, so even though there are parallel's they don't need to be true either.

@Claudio:

People keep saying this but you all are just talking about the "decorative rope" right? I mean if he didn't have that no one would be connecting them so strongly right? I understand and it is suspect but it's just a thing and they haven't been the only ones to wear that so it could just be a design choice.

He is also having the same cuffs around his arms

@Claudio:

It would be cool if he wasn't wearing a mask and that really was his face. :ninja:

I wouldnt mind ahahah.

@Syphin:

An immense amount of effort has gone into developing Jinbe as an interesting character and as a Straw Hat nakama. When looking at these current nakama candidates in the shadow of Jinbe, they all feel inadequate and uninspiring. In terms of Carrot, Oda hasn't done anything truly memorable with Carrot yet so I agree that from a narrative standpoint, at present she is lacking as a nakama.

In your post you state how Jinbe in the beginning was bland and all that and it took time to showcase him. And as you say Carrot hasn't done anything special in your eyes yet.

I saw Shift post some of her feats already, but I do believe she will shine during this war. I mean this is a war as well and I do believe that Carrot and Yamato will both get some time to shine. Yamato being similar to Oden helps love him alreadd (if that will be true) and Carrot can still change. I do believe that our next Straw Hats are characters we have known for a bit already as a non-member or have similarties to characters we heard of.

I wouldn't be suprised if the last member would be Smoker or Kuzan for example. In one hand we know both characters already, on the other hand we would have a Logia join the crew as we miss that still and far better to have a more "OP" fruit join the crew later as well. Though I still think Carrot, if she joins, will eat the Yuki Yuki no Mi and will be a Snow Bunny, ahah.

@Deicide:

I agree with every word in this.

As I said, in-universe, if Carrot just asks, Luffy would welcome her in the crew. She's fun and able to handle herself, that's all that matters to him.

But, from a narrative standpoint, Carrot is lacking. She's very shallow and has been neglected for the past 80 chapters. If Jinbe's absence was for her benefit, then it wasn't handled well and she failed to do anything until his return.

Instead, the way I see it is that Jinbe's membership was delayed because he's the Straw Hat that joins in this arc, or, like I've been saying, in this saga, because that's how New World crewmates will be added IMO. The single-arc structure is no longer necessary.

How do you mean? Carrot has been in several arcs as well, right? So she could join right away then after this arc.

[Cockycent]

Just an ally? Nah. Her treatment's been weird. I'd say Momo's retainers possibly if not a SH, just like his dad had retainers and Sukiyaki as well before him. Shinobu and Carrot are supposedly on the save Momo mission right now.

The issue is she's never been shown to interact with him in any capacity like Shinobu has. Most of her moves have been either selfish or for the crew. She didn't beg like the rest of the Minks to help the crew save Sanji. She could've stayed with Momo and the rest of the Minks. She took initiative and left before Jack's 2nd attack, which predates the volunteering and asking (822). Once Pekoms and Luffy talked about it, Carrot was already showing interest and Wanda showed how serious it was (815).

For those saying that Carrot needs some big fighting highlight in front of Luffy, i'd ask why Franky's biggest highlights of that nature were more in front of Chopper, Sogeking, Sanji and not Luffy? He attacked Luffy, but his biggest moments were on the train with Sogeking and Sanji, then against Fukurou where Chopper was the nearest really. If you mean actual moments of importance like burning the blueprints, then that counts, but from what i've been seeing, people think a fighting moment in front of Luffy means that much.

[Claudio]

@RobinotX:

I disagree. She is a similar to Chopper and Usopp when they didnt know about the world so in that sense I do like her sense of traveling

Their was much more to Usopp and Chopper though and they joined in their introduction arc. Carrot was pretty much a background character in her introduction arc.

Nothing perse. It is something that I noticed from the third person that joined the crew in the previous seas. The beauty is: either there is a pattern or there isn't. But we only will know when we get a statement the crew is complete or the series is finished. Let say it differently it could mean something. Cause isn't it weird that there are similarities in some cases to how people joined?

You might find more "similarities" between characters if you looked but I just don't think it actually matters or is really a way to predict who joins for real.

Obviously they have shown in the current war that we have Wanda and Shishilian taking up that role. Like I said, she didn't need to join. And one of the only reasons I can think of she did was getting us used to her in the dynamics of the crew. She talks about the Sunny as she was part of the crew and the parallel towards how the Minks joined both Roger and Whitebeard are quite big as well. Which is also rightly shown that the Minks didn't joined Raftel. I do wanna put in that sense that a cabin boy or girl wouldn't work either as they didn't go to Raftel. And as far as we know Tom was unofficialy the shipwright of the Roger pirates (?). He didn't even travel with them, so even though there are parallel's they don't need to be true either.

It's Shishilian who is leading the minks right now but I was talking about something further down the line; replacing Dogstorm and Catviper. She didn't need join but she did.Their needed to be a mink that wouldn't be a sacrifice and could fit well in the arc. Carrot was the best mink for that. Everybody who tags along has dynamics with the crew. When has she talked about the Sunny as if she was part of the crew? I don't remember that. Dogstorm and Catviper joined Whitebeard and Roger following Oden so unless Momonosuke joins and she follows, their is no parallel.

He is also having the same cuffs around his arms

Right but if he only had that and not the "decorative rope" would you really think of Oden? Those cuffs have been worn by many more characters.

[RobinotX]

Yeah, I would thought about Oden right away because from all the people in Wano he was wearing it and the outfit itself is resemblant as well to what Oden was wearing. It isn't that weird most people think it. I wouldn't be suprised if Yamato ends up being someone with the will of Oden like I mentioned.

And in regards to Carrot. Characters like Jinbe and Franky at first didn't really 'shine' that happened later and Jinbe didn't join in his arc either. Carrot has done things already where she shined. For me it isn't like: I want her to join. But the story and narrative is pointing for me that she is going too.

[Cockycent]

How many characters can say they challenged Zoro in their intro and made Luffy tap out in less than 20 chapters later? Is Wanda and Shishilian doing this? Why haven't they been used like this and in this capacity?

No one was highlighted to preform lookout duties like she was when it mattered. It was around the same time that Jinbe was shown to be exceptional at his role.

Many allies have come and gone. None really fall into the pace of the crew like Carrot does. She acts as selfish as them, childish as Usopp, Chopper and Luffy, and is ready to attack like Zoro and Luffy when the moment calls for it. Kinemon and Law are not only shown to be more connected to their respective groups, they don't fall into the crew's madness as much as Carrot did. They are shown to be more taken aback by the antics.

Even if I try to force her into the sons for the Fleet, it makes no sense. They have a bond with Luffy that is about what happen in Dressrosa. What's the point if anyone can just call themselves a son and Luffy doesn't even approve of the concept of a son and views them differently?

Oda could've easily had Pekoms struggling with the crew for most of the arc in the Seducing Woods, the PG mission or against that army. Instead, he was kept until it was time to carry a weak Luffy. Pedro directly relays the importance of the crew to Carrot. If Pekoms is with them, he would've gotten the same message, but Oda did it differently for him, which will come back later. As Carrot moves on her own volition, she is unintentionally being what Neko and Inu were for Oden, to the crew. If it was for Momo's retainers, there would be just a hint of interaction or interest written between the 2 outside of the Minks and Kozuki connection.

There is no ally that was highlighted performing a role on the ship, written away from their initial group, falling in line with the crew's behavior and for as long as the treatment with the crew. Every character brought up in this same thread has fallen flat in at least 1 of these in attempt to compare to Carrot. Manga proof never fails

Most of the characters introduced as part of some group were isolated from them to some extent

• Usopp was steadily written away from the Usopp Pirates
• As rowdy as the Baratie cooks were, Sanji was distinguished from the rest.
• Franky was taken away from his group and Paulie wasn't. Paulie could barely get beat up w/o his fellow Galley workers being in the very next room.
• Jinbe was highlighted more than the other ID allies. When most left, he was used to give Luffy perspective and carried him or fought in his place at moments

[Triceron]

Well you have to look at it in a devil's advocate kind of way too.

Why would Oda add so many contenders for the Strawhat spot? Because he knows fans expect it, and Oda wants to surprise people so he's bombarding us with red herrings and fakeouts.

Why does Carrot fit in so well compared to other allies? I would interpret this as being her being intentionally written to fit certain gaps of expectation, much like Kinemon (2-9 Fruit, 2-sword user), Tama (has a clear dream, Ace connection) and many others. Every character has a fun side and a serious side. Dressrosa was rampant with Nakama theories, including Law.

I don't think we should be looking at patterns because whatever Oda decides, I think it will be outside the normal expectations.

[Cockycent]

I always look at the fact that she lacks a dream specifically. Should it be clear by now? What is it if there is any? Can it be done away from the crew? I've said this many times and some ignore it until it's convenient and I have to reiterate this same sentiment.

Is the name of a DF the same as the many things that have been done with Carrot? I don't even remember Oda entering his infamous "sweats" comment for that 1. Not that he has to, just kidding. Tama has a dream, but that was with Ace. I haven't seen it verbalized to the same extent for the SH crew.

Tama also feels like a Rebecca at times where Luffy wants to do it for her. At first, that can be seen as not a knock, but when you add the context that she was written as an example of the oppression of the country like Rebecca, she comes off like a tool to the arc and not someone who can't function without the crew. She can possibly serve as a retainer. The fact that she was placed with Momo, adds to that sentiment. Carrot did the exact opposite and left with her own agenda beyond Zou. Got serious and put herself to task as more of an asset than liability as the arc progressed. This is why I feel Tama is lacking compared to Carrot overall

Kinemon can't go too far without being solely motivated by his obligation to Oden. Has there been a narrative in an arc where he is doing something for himself and it isn't connected to Oden's wish? I want to hold up Law and Kinemon, who barely fall into the crew's behaviors, weren't highlighted to perform roles on the ship, and show no sign of selfishness that detours them from their immediate agenda. I want to key in on them because they are compared to Carrot who fills in all of these things that they don't, while also being built up to be less 1 dimensional. Even before Pedro died, she is shown to want to be of use. That turns into a more driven character that wants to uphold what Pedro came here for. Why are Kin and Law clearly not being used in that fashion? How can you groom characters that are meant to be SH like this? Their whole narrative connects them to other characters and agenda that contradicts a SH tenure.

Law went from his agenda to another agenda that is Kaido, but leaves room for interpretation after the Sengoku convo. Add to that, he is a direct rival captain. So many things taking Law out of this category and I question why his name is still even brought up. Kinemon is solely on "Oden's wish" type of time. This man has yet to reunite with his wife and he's supposed to leave right after meeting her for the life of a pirate? Law and Kinemon are possibly the worst cases to bring up if comparing to Carrot.

Yes, every character has multiple sides. The Corrida Colosseum group (sons/Fleet) were stuck on "no I get Doflamingo/we are in Usopp and Luffy debt" collectively. They came off as a pack to me at least. Even if I tried to question 1 of them, there wouldn't be enough. The most I can say is Cavendish who Luffy told to watch over Law and even that didn't feel right. I didn't really seriously consider him. When there's a group, the character is moved away from them gradually. Cavendish represented that, but his agenda was just 1 dimensional and was conveniently changed to "Luffy is his fan". He had some petty beef with the Supernova and I need a link to specific nakama cases made for any son/fleet member to see where they would get anything outside what I listed. As much as I see little things with Raizo, I don't see enough to take his case seriously. Maybe the old Fleet member nakama cases can give me better perspective. I actually need to look at possible patterns because I can see if what I was questioning and deducing was worth as much as previously valued. "Where was Oda going with this" will always be how I try to look at it. If Carrot joins, should I totally dismiss the design aspect or other criteria that some use? I don't think so. They aren't wrong to look at, I just disagree on how much it weighs when Oda wants to twist and turn things as the story continues. Same can be said about a dream being clarified verbally before they joined and less built up to.

[Triceron]

I think your conclusion hits the nail on the head. It all boils down to where Oda wants to present a character and how to really make a feature out of it. Jinbe's official joining was jothing less than spectacular, at a place and time no one would have expected, despite having all expectations for him already joining the crew.

Heck, even if it wasn't a crewmember addition, I think the Grand Fleet was Oda's finest moment for curbing expectations that fans have running on high. I can't help but have those same kind of feelings now, where we're getting so many big players joining the fight against Kaido that literally nothing should be expected because you know he's got some big planned, and it might overshadow any plans for new crewmember additions.

I do think both Carrot and Tama, while fantastic discussion material, have sat in the story too long to make any good use of. They are catalysts for world building more than seeded characters who will help push the Strawhats into the next level.

I don't think regular mainstay patterns like knowing a dream is all that important. It's defi itely kmportant to have to get an idea of the characters motivations, but most of the dreams came when characters were on the cusp of joining the crew. Sanji didn't even reveal All Blue until the very end of the arc, when he was settled on not joining.

[Shiebs]

I see lots of people seem to think there will be multiple new members of the crew, how many people think we have a few more to go and how many think only one?

I honestly think there is only one more member Because Luffy said he wanted ten members in the beginning and Black Beard has ten titans

What do you guys think

[Kishido]

After Jinbe just 1… And it will be Yamato

10 nakamas as Luffy wanted and like BB and his 10 titans

[Triceron]

Theres only 9 titanic captains, unless we count some unrevealed 10th like maybe aokiji.

[Kishido]

@Triceron:

Theres only 9 titanic captains, unless we count some unrevealed 10th like maybe aokiji.

We know from the databook that their are 10 and one is unnamed

[Claudio]

If I remember correctly, the first mention of Blackbeard having 10 under him is in chapter 737.

[Monquito]

@Kishido:

We know from the databook that their are 10 and one is unnamed

we knew that since Gatz said it, but people can't get over the fact that there are still new characters to be introduced.

[Deicide]

I think the tenth Titan is Aokiji (just to be a named character), but he is just filling the position for now until the real character is introduced.

I've said before that I think Blackbeard is going after Weevil, or, more accurately, Bakkin. She's the real brain there, and I think she will be final titan, with Weevil as her "weapon" (plus, she may have powers of her own)..

[Monquito]

@Deicide:

I think the tenth Titan is Aokiji (just to be a named character), but he is just filling the position for now until the real character is introduced.

I've said before that I think Blackbeard is going after Weevil, or, more accurately, Bakkin. She's the real brain there, and I think she will be final titan, with Weevil as her "weapon" (plus, she may have powers of her own)..

That's not how ir works, that's not how any of this works..

Aokiji, Pinkbeard and whoever else you might add, are affiliates, sort of like Grand Fleet members, much like Cabbage and Barto.

Fact is, ten titan already exists, is already part of the BB pirates, just like Ryokugyu, it hasn't been introduced nor name-dropped either.
And giving the massive amount of new characters we've been introduced in the latest arc, the safest bet as of now is that ten titan is a new character as well.

[SeaOfHope]

I really just find it very odd that the same thing people use against Carrot is what makes her such an anomaly. It all boils back to the question "why is she here?" Major arguments used against her is that she's a flat character that does nothing to progress the plot and just seems kinda there. However, its because of that that I feel why she's such a narrative anomaly if you consider the trend of Oda's story structure and how he uses it. When in regards to Whole Cake Island, she offered nothing to progress the underlying plot nor was she a central figure in it, Carrot wasn't the reason that the Retrieval Team even went to Whole Cake Island nor did she offer any exposition of the matter to the crew regarding it, and she didn't have a previous history with the island nor Big Mom. A lot of information regarding her I feel is intentionally hidden by Oda because she's such an involved character for seemingly no reason at all that there needs to be a justification for why he includes her so much even when she's not such a prominent figure in regards to the plot. The only reason she's participating on the Raid of Onigashima is proxy of Jack's actions against the Mink Tribe. Yet instead of following under Shishilian, her military leader, she's with the Straw Hats. It makes no sense because the narrative never really justifies her presence among them. By usual convention, she would be in the background with the other Musketeers following Shishilian, yet Oda goes out of his way to feature her among the Straw Hats. That's why I view her as an anomaly.

Think about it. We've been with Carrot for well over 160 chapters and yet we don't know much of her personal history. Even analyzing little details it can draw an interesting conclusion. Like, where are her parents? When she disappeared from Zou, only Wanda was concerned and at no point did she bring up reassuring her parents. Also, when Pedro suggested to turn back, Carrot specifically said Wanda would reprimand her, not her parents. The Musketeers and the Guardians are known as the elite fighters among the Mink Tribe and so far Carrot is the youngest known warrior among them as the rest known ones seem to be in their late 20's/early 30's. On Carrot's vivre card, while not much is highlighted outside of general information like her height and age, her controlling Sulong at her age is considered rare and unusual. Another thing to mention, why did Pedro care about Carrot's training and growth? He was active during the hours of the day as the Dukes still had their squabble, and yet he was overseeing how Shishilian was training her. Her specifically. Not only that, despite being so young, she was chosen alongside Wanda to act as a Kingsbird/Ruler's Aid for reasons still unknown. At least with Wanda it was implied she was related to Inuarashi, Carrot's status on that is unknown. When you consider most tag-a-longs that have been involved with the Straw Hats for almost as long as she has, you would at least get some depth with them. However based on Oda's usually narrative convention, he doesn't follow that in regards to Carrot. So its easy to draw a conclusion that she's not that important at all. Yet, it brings the question why her presence among the crew is actively shown to draw attention that she's closely affiliated with them? None of this is ever addressed. Nothing makes sense with her.

It's really weird what Oda does with Carrot. That is why I feel he's intentionally hiding stuff about Carrot. Because there's no reason for Carrot to be this involved with the crew and be such a background character where the depth of her character is not highlighted nor related to the arc at hand.

EDIT: Cockycent kinda highlighted it with his post, but she's the only tag-a-long character that has easily followed the Straw Hat pace, always readily taking orders from the other members of the crew like Luffy, Nami, and Jinbe. Also, the only tag-a-long to actively take a position on the ship throughout the entirety of Whole Cake Island. While it can be justified that they were short on staff, she was acting like a lookout before they were in Whole Cake Island. Why her? Her presence wasn't even need in Whole Cake Island. Pedro was the Mink Tribe representative and was later revealed to have been involved with Big Mom in the past and Pekoms was their guide and security pass into her territory undetected. So why did Oda make the conscious decision to include her if she was meant to be irrelevant later? Her character can be easily overlooked as nothing special, but the fact that she does all this and is not a prominent arc character is so unusual. What's the point of doing this with her?

[Zhenja]

@SeaOfHope:

Think about it. We've been with Carrot for well over 160 chapters and yet we don't know much of her personal history.

Because there is not much to know about her personal history. She lived her whole life isolated and secure on Zou.
You can try to find an excuse why it's not like this, but you won't find any, because there is none. She's just plain boring and shallow, that's it.

[SeaOfHope]

@Zhenja:

Because there is not much to know about her personal history. She lived her whole life isolated and secure on Zou.
You can try to find an excuse why it's not like this, but you won't find any, because there is none. She's just plain boring and shallow, that's it.

That's just how you want to view it, but based on previous conventions with tag-a-longs, that isn't the case. Especially for a character who is actively fighting with them and has been around for that long.