@RobinotX:
Robin became more important as a potential contender to join the crew later in the story of Arabasta. In hindsight it was more obvious but during my first read/watch it was less obvious. Furthermore, both Robin and Nami become more fleshed out later in the story as well. Franky only started to make sense during Enies Lobby.
For Robin, pre-joining the potential just really isn't there. The only hint is that she saved Luffy's life but at that point there's many ways that could go for why. Robin then was one big mystery. Her saving Luffy could've easily been she was planning to double cross Crocodile and wanted Luffy to keep being a thorn aside as she prepared to make her move. At the time we knew none of her motives. After, as the arc concludes she then reasons her way on to staying with the crew and we come to find she did it aimlessly since she had no more clues or leads to her goal. It's a particularly unique situation.
It's only similar to Nami's way of joining cuz her full motives and information about the character was not known at the time and was only revealed after there was an arc with a direct focus on her.
From those two, there's a pattern and you could say that's how Oda has approached women joining the strawhats. All the other guys got their focus in an arc and their flashback before joining. Stuff like a second flashback and another focus arc are just bonuses (Luffy and Sanji).
As for Franky, once he got a flashback where he featured heavily in his stock rose but yes as you say it was only until the train ride to EL and during the rescue attempt it becomes more obvious.
Jimbe has really only been the weird unorthodox method but even his journey to being a strawhat is just a delayed version of how all the other guys have joined. He was introduced imprisoned, freed by Luffy (like Zoro), allied with Luffy and supported him for two arcs. When next seen he basically gets his flashback and enough focus to put together a tragic past and a dream/motivation (like every other SH). Only thing that keeps him from joining is prior obligations to his crew. The arc he offically accepts joins is in an arc where they're basically rescuing another strawhat (that's basically how it happened for Franky as they rescued Robin).
Does that mean Carrot will definitely get a story and join the crew? No, I can potentially already say that her story is over the moment she saved them with the Sulong move. Pedro mentioned that everybody has their moment and who knows, maybe that is or was her moment.
Yeah, with Carrot and comparing to how other crewmates joined its not at all similar. I know ppl say Oda may want to do things differently storytelling wise but honestly the method of introduce potential new member, give them focus in an arc, an antagonist to fight tied to pote trial new member, and a tragic past revealing their dream/goal is tried and true. It doesn't fail. Oda has done it 10 times (Luffy included). It worked so well he even did it for super popular fan favorite, Law, who I guess is a special exception cuz he's a D. You could even argue over time he also did it for Ace which would then be its own pattern of certain D. characters also getting that treatment on top of future crewmates.
I just don't buy in to Carrot's tragic past being the present events of Pedro dying. It certainly means something and I'm sure Oda will go somewhere with it but i feel it'll involve all the minks as well not just something special for her. To me if Oda was going to have her join things would've happened as they did going in to WCI but then it would've been revealed Big Mom or some sweet commander was responsible for some tragedy in Carrot's past and yhen she would've got her flashback. Or she would've popped up on the ship as it happened but she would've asked to join the crew then or ask by the end of it as they headed to Wano. Then it would've been revealed Kaido or some Beast pirate was responsible for her yet to be revealed tragic past. That ship has sailed though.
There's a long shot chance that she stowaways again on the Sunny and the next arc is where she gets her focus but that really wouldn't be like any other previous any strawhat has joined. Not even Jimbe.
The only reason she fits as a potential Straw Hat is because the whole story of WCI she wasn't needed there and yet she was there. If Pedro didn't die I wouldn't have said that she had a chance. Cause the moment he died it seemed like she became part of the Inherited Will that most Straw Hats have. I believe somebody mentioned but what if Pedro is alive? Then I don't think she will join for sure.
Even then I'd say it's just too fresh for her to just turn around and become a strawhat cuz of that. Its missing a lot compared to almost every other member.
And yeah, I brought it up, if Pedro is alive then there's really no good support left to say Carrot might join.
We are at the moment speaking in the current state of things of the Manga. Wano isn't done yet, the fights aren't done yet. If right now the last chapter of Wano would be here then yes, Carrot doesn't join. But that isn't the case. Cause chances are that she still has something to do later in the story with Perospero, if that doesn't happen, then again I think she doesn't join. Her potential fight with Perospero is going to be important to her characterization. That said in the current story it seems she isn't going to fight him anymore and Nekomamushi is going after him. So again, her chances are indeed slim. But then again her past actions also make sense to be part of the crew.
I do think Carrot will be involved with something to do with Peros or how Momo's side eventually win but I don't think it'll have anything to do with her joining the crew.
Cuz again that would require focus on her for it to make sense and right now all the focus story wise is on Luffy, Yamato, and Momo.
–- Update From New Post Merge ---
@Shift:
That really heads into the realm of whataboutisms. I imagine that whatever happens, supporters of any character will have reason to talk. Speaking for myself, I did say I'd let it go, provided it's Pedro actually alive and not some temporary apparition or something.
Oh ok, so for you Pedro being alive kills all of Carrot's chances.