Next Strawhat Crewmate (Vol. 6)

[K. Kira XXIII]

Of course not, but is the reason for that solely because you want Carrot to join?

Even from the perspective of traveling the world, and taking away the philosophical learn about the history of the world. If Carrot's dream is to travel the world, reforming the Nox pirates would help her explore more of the world than the Straw Hats would, as the latter is already dashing for th finish line, while also helping unravel the mystery of the world. The poneglyphs are hidden, scattered around the globe. To find them, you really need to search all around.

We have seen previous members of the Nox pirates in Cacao, and there is a high chance they may do something once they see Pekoms betraying the family.

I long since came to terms with the possibility of Carrot joining. I just see it as a low percentage. I am just baffled at how much "reforming the Nox pirates" is "ridiculous"/"impossible". Carrot being inexperienced was even put as a reason against. Like Luffy had so much knowledge about being a sailor when he set out. As long as she has people helping, like previous members or even Pekoms as a co-leader, it fits wiith Pedro's legacy better as well.

[Megadoomer]

Reforming the Nox Pirates may not be ridiculous/impossible, but it seems unlikely, considering that it hasn't been brought up before, and it's not like Carrot is being built up as part of a group of minks like how the Grand Fleet members were all built up alongside each other.

It seems like there's a decent amount hinting at Carrot joining, between consistently taking on a lookout role (one which the Straw Hats fill on a temporary basis, but Carrot not requiring (a great deal of) sleep seems like it would be beneficial for that job - it helps that Carrot would have the sort of enthusiasm that Luffy's looking for in a lookout), her rapport with the rest of the crew, and getting the same amount of focus as the other Straw Hats (or Jinbei, who's basically a Straw Hat) on volume 88's cover.

She doesn't seem as likely as Jinbei, by any stretch of the imagination, but she still seems like one of the stronger possibilities that we've seen in years.

[uniaka ikuzakas]

This post is deleted!

[FelRes]

I'm riding my Pudding cruise straight to the bottom of the ocean at this point but I'll be content to know she still was 100x more likely than Carrot.

[Blissed]

@FelRes:

I'm riding my Pudding cruise straight to the bottom of the ocean at this point but I'll be content to know she still was 100x more likely than Carrot.

Hmm, I don't see it, just solely off the fact that there was always the very real possibility that she would stay behind.

[AvocadoInTheRain]

@K.:

Of course not, but is the reason for that solely because you want Carrot to join?

Carrot just doesn't seem like a leader.

@FelRes:

I'm riding my Pudding cruise straight to the bottom of the ocean at this point but I'll be content to know she still was 100x more likely than Carrot.

Why was Carrot on the same standing as the strawhats on the hero cover while Pudding was in the background with Bege and Chiffon then?

Even if Carrot doesn't join she's being set up as much more important than Pudding.

[Count Mario]

@AvocadoInTheRain:

Why was Carrot on the same standing as the strawhats on the hero cover while Pudding was in the background with Bege and Chiffon then?

Even if Carrot doesn't join she's being set up as much more important than Pudding.

Or maybe it's less that she's important (which she definitely isn't in the scope of this arc), but she's been tagging along with the Straw Hats since Zou and isn't a Charlotte in any way like the other three characters are? This isn't that much different from Law being with the Straw Hats in a Dressrosa volume cover while everybody else is in separated panels or the foreground. Aside from Were-Mink Carrot being in the background, but that's mainly the volume illustrating the events of the content inside.

[AvocadoInTheRain]

Sure, but you can't look at vol 88 and say "that character who isn't colored in is 100x more likely to join than the one who is put on an equal standing as the other crewmates".

@Count:

This isn't that much different from Law being with the Straw Hats in a Dressrosa volume cover while everybody else is in separated panels or the foreground.

Exactly, the cover is telling us that Law is much more important than those other people. So much so that he's on the same standing as the strawhats. Even if Carrot doesn't join the cover is telling us she's on the same level as Law or Vivi (but with nothing preventing her from joining) and Pudding is on the same level as the Tontatta.

[Count Mario]

@AvocadoInTheRain:

Exactly, the cover is telling us that Law is much more important than those other people. So much so that he's on the same standing as the strawhats. Even if Carrot doesn't join the cover is telling us she's on the same level as Law or Vivi (but with nothing preventing her from joining) and Pudding is on the same level as the Tontatta.

I wouldn't say important (Oda's the same author who puts minor characters like Sengoku's goat in the middle of volume covers after all) rather than making faction alignments distinct. Law is not a Dressrosa citizen, he's a recurring character since Punk Hazard and has more of a New World presence. Although he obviously is more important than everybody in Dressrosa, I don't think he's on that cover with the Straw Hats just because he's that important.

[K. Kira XXIII]

@AvocadoInTheRain:

Carrot just doesn't seem like a leader.

She is a bird, which is an advisor position to the kings of Zou. If anyone knows what leadership is like it would be Carrot. And we have Pekoms and Carrot succeeding Pedro's will in this arc. Even if they are inexperienced they can learn.

In the end, whom is going to succeed Cat and Dog as the rulers of Zou. I always figured Carrot and Wanda were the most likely candidates. And her taking the initiative to sneak on the Sunny, she is not merely a follower.

[AvocadoInTheRain]

@K.:

In the end, whom is going to succeed Cat and Dog as the rulers of Zou. I always figured Carrot and Wanda were the most likely candidates.

Wanda and Sicilian are much more likely than Wanda and Carrot, but cat and dog aren't stepping down anytime soon so I don't see how this matters.

@K.:

And her taking the initiative to sneak on the Sunny, she is not merely a follower.

She was apologizing profusely when called out and was begging Pedro not to tell on her. Pedro and Wanda are her "senpai" and she clearly sees them as figures of authority. She's wide-eyed and a bit precarious, but she's no leader.

[K. Kira XXIII]

Sicilian is an option too, but given how Carrot is going to see the world and what not, by the end she will be much fitter to lead than him.

Jajaja, it doesn't matter that they are not stepping down soon, the hierarchy in their kingdom still is there, so a natural question would be whom would succeed them.

The ruler's aide seems like a good choice. It is a response to Carrot not seeming much like a ruler, the counter srgument is, there is a reason why she is the ruler aide, and not Sicilian.

She might be young, but shows promise.

She is no leader yet, but the pieces are there forbher to develop into one.

[FelRes]

@Blissed:

Hmm, I don't see it, just solely off the fact that there was always the very real possibility that she would stay behind.

I feel like that just makes Pudding's shot a flip of a coin. She is easy to write as going or staying. Which is much better than Carrot's permablatant status as tagalong of the month. Her fate was sealed the second she brought out her carrot snack on the ship.

[sinreturns]

Maybe Cat(Nekomamoshi) and Dog(Inuarashi) will get replaced with Turtle(Pekom's devil fruit) and Rabbit(Carrot)? Before this arc I was thinking that Wanda would succeed Inuarashi and Pedro would succeed Nekomamoshi.

[AvocadoInTheRain]

@sinreturns:

Maybe Cat(Nekomamoshi) and Dog(Inuarashi) will get replaced with Turtle(Pekom's devil fruit) and Rabbit(Carrot)? Before this arc I was thinking that Wanda would succeed Inuarashi and Pedro would succeed Nekomamoshi.

In what world does anyone hand over 50% of the leadership of an entire country to a 14-16 year old junior bodyguard?

[K. Kira XXIII]

Hasn't there been several cases of children being kings/queens?

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Child_rulers

[Count Mario]

@AvocadoInTheRain:

In what world does anyone hand over 50% of the leadership of an entire country to a 14-16 year old junior bodyguard?

Apparently Naruto. And 100% of it too.

[K. Kira XXIII]

It also seems that leadership is not done through lineage in their kingdom. So it might be more democratic process.

Carrot is the ruler's aide at that age. What if it is for the sole purpose of eventually succeeding the throne.

Of course it should be done when she becomes of age, but circumstances could lead to a faster ascension.

Just look at Vivi, Cobra is sick and ready to give the throne to hee despite her age.

[Count Mario]

I wonder if Momo will actually take over Wano Country after the Shogun is dethroned. There can still be other daimyos who could take over, but it's still an actual possibility no matter how silly it might sound.

[K. Kira XXIII]

Even then, he is the lord of his region.

[Blissed]

Well, aside from the fact that this latest theory needs both kings to die (Unless you're suggesting that they'll suddenly step down for no reason), it seems far more likely that their current truce would become permanent once the Wano arc is over, thereby meaning that the Ruler's Aide position becomes unnecessary. Well, not that it stopped Carrot to begin with. At any rate, I'm very much interested in seeing how she obtained the position. Between that and her cape contrasting with the Musketeers, there's certainly a decent backstory to tell despite her presumably young age.

@FelRes:

I feel like that just makes Pudding's shot a flip of a coin. She is easy to write as going or staying. Which is much better than Carrot's permablatant status as tagalong of the month. Her fate was sealed the second she brought out her carrot snack on the ship.

Err, how is she the tagalong of the month in comparison to Pudding, when we know for certain she's going to Wano, as opposed to Pudding whose fate is leaning dangerously close to having her remain in Totland once this arc ends?

[AvocadoInTheRain]

@K.:

Hasn't there been several cases of children being kings/queens?

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Child_rulers

@Count:

Apparently Naruto. And 100% of it too.

In all of those examples they were either royalty, or the strongest, or both. Never has the path of succession directly gone: Jr bodyguard –-> king.

@K.:

It also seems that leadership is not done through lineage in their kingdom. So it might be more democratic process.

What are you basing this on?

@K.:

Carrot is the ruler's aide at that age. What if it is for the sole purpose of eventually succeeding the throne.

Of course it should be done when she becomes of age, but circumstances could lead to a faster ascension.

Just look at Vivi, Cobra is sick and ready to give the throne to her despite her age.

Look at chapter 809. Carrot is just one of many musketeers with 3 musketeers being clearly above them. Being a ruler's aid just seems to mean that she doesn't strictly adhere to the day/night cycle because you need some overlap for communication between the two groups to happen. Nowhere is there any hint that carrot is being groomed to be leader, or that she's treated any differently from the others.

Also, why are you suddenly thinking that Oda will kill off Cat and Dog? We have no reason to believe that the dukes won't remain the rulers of Zou for the remainder of One Piece.

@Blissed:

Well, not that it stopped Carrot to begin with. At any rate, I'm very much interested in seeing how she obtained the position. Between that and her cape contrasting with the Musketeers, there's certainly a decent backstory to tell despite her presumably young age.

Not really. All minks are born warriors Carrot is above average. That's really all you need to explain her being a bodyguard while a bit young. She's not their general, or greatest warrior or anything.

[K. Kira XXIII]

Whom is talking about death? People can step down of their position.

[Megadoomer]

I don't recall anything even hinting that Carrot was in the line of succession for Zou, or even if they have a line of succession. She's an assistant to the rulers (along with several others), but it hardly seems like a situation like Momonosuke or Vivi, where she has a clear reason for staying behind.

[AvocadoInTheRain]

@K.:

Whom is talking about death? People can step down of their position.

You still haven't provided a reason for this to happen, and for Carrot specifically to take over. The story isn't indicating that this would happen at all.

@Megadoomer:

I don't recall anything even hinting that Carrot was in the line of succession for Zou, or even if they have a line of succession. She's an assistant to the rulers (along with several others), but it hardly seems like a situation like Momonosuke or Vivi, where she has a clear reason for staying behind.

Seriously, these are the leaps in logic that people are having to make in order to find a reason for Carrot not to stay with the strawhats.

[K. Kira XXIII]

Because we did not meet any children for both of them.

[AvocadoInTheRain]

@K.:

Because we did not meet any children for both of them.

That's not a reason to step down in the near future, or a reason for Carrot specifically to take over. Please try again.

[Johnny B. Decent]

At first, I thought Wanda was Inuarashi's daughter. Never was confirmed, mind you.

[K. Kira XXIII]

@AvocadoInTheRain:

You still haven't provided a reason for this to happen, and for Carrot specifically to take over. The story isn't indicating that this would happen at all.

Do you remember how this started? You said that Carrot had nothing as a leader for her. My answer was that being a ruler's aide must give her some experience given that she hangs with both kings throughout night and day.

Just because we are elaborating on that premise, does not mean I have pages of proof it is happening.

But let's be frank here, you tell me that a.volume cover is indicative of her chances to join. But I have to give reasoning after reasoning as to why Carrot could be a leader, because I said that she has experience as an aide? Then I speculate about the aide is a position that grooms next rulers. But nope, she is just a mindless messenger that does not understand how bith kings are ruling the country.

So back to the start of the topic. Could Carrot be a leader? Could her position as messenger between kings give her experience just by being in that environment.

Seriously, these are the leaps in logic that people are having to make in order to find a reason for Carrot not to stay with the strawhats.

They have rulers that are not immortal, unless the kingdom stops existing new rulers will be appointed.

And super jajaja, what leaps in logic? No one is spending that much time to deny Carrot. I am just looking at the charcaters, lore, their culture and thinking about the future for those characters. You are just perceiving all as dismissive of Carrot because you want her to join.

I have no problem with Cat and Dog stepping down from their position at the end of One Piece because of their age and injuries. Before anyone jumps expecting me to prove that it has been noted that isn the plan.. having them change after said attack would not benefit the kingdom at all, it is too weakened..

What youbare misunderstanding is that I have nothing against Carrot. I think she has plenty of potential to become an interesting character and grow. I just see that elsewhere not with the crew.

[Blissed]

@K.:

Whom is talking about death? People can step down of their position.

Well like I said, why would they suddenly step down? How'd we even go from Grand Fleet/Nox Pirates to the succesor of Zou to begin with?

@AvocadoInTheRain:

Not really. All minks are born warriors Carrot is above average. That's really all you need to explain her being a bodyguard while a bit young. She's not their general, or greatest warrior or anything.

Who said it has to be about strength? I'm just saying, I'm interested in seeing how she got the position to begin with.

@S.C.:

At first, I thought Wanda was Inuarashi's daughter. Never was confirmed, mind you.

It wouldn't be too surprising, I guess. Though Oda went out of his way to tell us that similar to Fishmen, Minks can have parents that look absolutely nothing like them, so could just as easily be completely false.

[Long John Silvers Rayleigh]

Carrot "Queen of Zou" sounds badass, still want her to join but that'd be a cool thing to see in the future, probaboy too many people ahead of her right now before the story ends though

[K. Kira XXIII]

@AvocadoInTheRain:

That's not a reason to step down in the near future, or a reason for Carrot specifically to take over. Please try again.

What are you even talking about?

You asked what makes me think that their kingdom does not have a blood lineage type of rule. I said not meeting heirs to the throne in the form of their children makes me think that.

Are we having a.conversation or has this devolved to mindless back and forths?

–- Update From New Post Merge ---

@Blissed:

Well like I said, why would they suddenly step down? How'd we even go from Grand Fleet/Nox Pirates to the succesor of Zou to begin with?

Let's reset the question, because I feel it's going in circles.

Whom do you think are the next rulers of Zou? If you want to put it as further away from the story. Think Bro Piece: pirate kids.

The funniest part is that even if Carrot joined, I would still think that she is a candidate to the throne because of her maturing with the crew or on her.voyages, when she goes back to her people, she will not be the naive girl that left..

[Rival Mars]

Carrot isn't an aide of the dukes. She is a kingsbird. She seems to just be a messenger that goes between both rulers. Possibly delivering info on what the other has done whilst one was sleeping. This isn't a position of leadership at all.

[AvocadoInTheRain]

@K.:

What are you even talking about?

You asked what makes me think that their kingdom does not have a blood lineage type of rule. I said not meeting heirs to the throne in the form of their children makes me think that.

Are we having a.conversation or has this devolved to mindless back and forths?

This is entirely your fault. Try to be legible when commenting here. If you don't quote anything I'm going to assume that your post is replying directly to the last post I made, not to an old post that you already replied to. Be clear about what you're replying to.

[Long John Silvers Rayleigh]

Relax there's nothing wrong with debating possible alternative futures for carrot, its not like she's a 100% lock like jinbe or anything

[K. Kira XXIII]

@AvocadoInTheRain:

This is entirely your fault. Try to be legible when commenting here. If you don't quote anything I'm going to assume that your post is replying directly to the last post I made, not to an old post that you already replied to. Be clear about what you're replying to.

So there is no confusion. I am not at my house to go as I usually do and multi quote your stuff. I was responding, and others responded, so my post wasn't merged.

And I am asking if we are having a conversation, or are you upset because of the Please, try again. Or did that not carry a mocking tone? I cannot read tone, so I ask.

I don't think I have disrepected you, and if I did, I apologize.

[FelRes]

@Blissed:

Well, aside from the fact that this latest theory needs both kings to die (Unless you're suggesting that they'll suddenly step down for no reason), it seems far more likely that their current truce would become permanent once the Wano arc is over, thereby meaning that the Ruler's Aide position becomes unnecessary. Well, not that it stopped Carrot to begin with. At any rate, I'm very much interested in seeing how she obtained the position. Between that and her cape contrasting with the Musketeers, there's certainly a decent backstory to tell despite her presumably young age.

Err, how is she the tagalong of the month in comparison to Pudding, when we know for certain she's going to Wano, as opposed to Pudding whose fate is leaning dangerously close to having her remain in Totland once this arc ends?

Carrot: Was never developed as a character and we always knew she would be the Johnny&Yosaku/Conis/Kokoro/etc of the current story. She was never going to be in the crew, and had next to zero argument for. Just because she's likely also going to Wano doesn't increase her odds or remove her tagalong of the month status. It just makes her more irrelevant as a tagalong because now it's like Zou where she doesn't even stick out a bit.
Pudding - has an actual character arc that hasn't even concluded yet, Luffy making that comment about Sanji's wife joining, traits that actually make her stick out amongst secondary characters(including a different personality compared to Luffy-if-he-was-a-rabbit), an actual role in the story, she's heading in an ambiguous direction, and still has room for plot stuff what with her eye and memory powers keeping her from becoming irrelevant like Carrot just yet, not to mention she still has yet to get her intro box

Like honestly, I cannot comprehend you Carrot people. You literally just argue for her blindly like you're reading a different story from everyone else. It's worse than Monet because at least her fans aren't trying to play her up and she was in the story for a shorter time.

[Blissed]

Actually pulled a "You people" on me lol, it's not that deep…

[AvocadoInTheRain]

@Long:

Relax there's nothing wrong with debating possible alternative futures for carrot, its not like she's a 100% lock like jinbe or anything

That's not what I had a problem with. He made a post out of order and it knocked the conversation off the rails because nobody knew who was talking about what anymore.

@K.:

And I am asking if we are having a conversation, or are you upset because of the Please, try again. Or did that not carry a mocking tone? I cannot read tone, so I ask.

It wasn't mocking, but there was a bit of sass behind it because I thought you made a reply that made absolutely no sense.
@K.:

I don't think I have disrepected you, and if I did, I apologize.

Nah, you didn't insult me or anything, there was just some confusion about where the conversation was going and I was frustrated because a mixup wasted a bunch of time.

[K. Kira XXIII]

Good to know. I do try to do multi quotes even from my phone, as to leave no room for speculation of what I am talking about. Just not today, today ain't that day for reasons.

[AvocadoInTheRain]

@FelRes:

Like honestly, I cannot comprehend you Carrot people. You literally just argue for her blindly like you're reading a different story from everyone else. It's worse than Monet because at least her fans aren't trying to play her up and she was in the story for a shorter time.

I'm not the one who's ignoring that Carrot's the one who was put on the same standing as the Strawhats on the hero cover while Pudding was slumming it with Bege and Chiffon. Even if Oda doesn't have either of them join, she's the one who Oda is singling out as more significant.

@K.:

Good to know. I do try to do multi quotes even from my phone, as to leave no room for speculation of what I am talking about. Just not today, today ain't that day for reasons.

Its all cool bro.

[Johnny B. Decent]

Honestly, the fact that a rabbit mink was named probably the most simplest thing about being a bunny is a pretty good indicator right there about Carrot and how much Oda really put thought into her.

[Count Mario]

@S.C.:

Honestly, the fact that a rabbit mink was named probably the most simplest thing about being a bunny is a pretty good indicator right there about Carrot and how much Oda really put thought into her.

Don't do this. We're going to go down another rabbit hole about how technically Jinbe's name isn't creative too.

[Johnny B. Decent]

@Count:

Don't do this. We're going to go down another rabbit hole about how technically Jinbe's name isn't creative too.

[AvocadoInTheRain]

@S.C.:

Honestly, the fact that a rabbit mink was named probably the most simplest thing about being a bunny is a pretty good indicator right there about Carrot and how much Oda really put thought into her.

@Count:

Don't do this. We're going to go down another rabbit hole about how technically Jinbe's name isn't creative too.

Also, Sanji was originally called Naruto before the Naruto manga came out. Also also, her name is "Carrot", not whatever the Japanese name is for the long orange vegetable which is a bit more creative in a Japanese medium.

EDIT: fun fact, "Carrot" is "Moron" in Welsh https://www.indifferentlanguages.com/words/carrot

[Megadoomer]

@FelRes:

Carrot: Was never developed as a character and we always knew she would be the Johnny&Yosaku/Conis/Kokoro/etc of the current story. She was never going to be in the crew, and had next to zero argument for. Just because she's likely also going to Wano doesn't increase her odds or remove her tagalong of the month status. It just makes her more irrelevant as a tagalong because now it's like Zou where she doesn't even stick out a bit.
Pudding - has an actual character arc that hasn't even concluded yet, Luffy making that comment about Sanji's wife joining, traits that actually make her stick out amongst secondary characters(including a different personality compared to Luffy-if-he-was-a-rabbit), an actual role in the story, she's heading in an ambiguous direction, and still has room for plot stuff what with her eye and memory powers keeping her from becoming irrelevant like Carrot just yet, not to mention she still has yet to get her intro box

Like honestly, I cannot comprehend you Carrot people. You literally just argue for her blindly like you're reading a different story from everyone else. It's worse than Monet because at least her fans aren't trying to play her up and she was in the story for a shorter time.

Two big problems that I have with Pudding are her potential jobs and her powers. Her powers seem like they'd be even more difficult to use than Robin's - much like everyone's best friend/mentor Tsukishima from Bleach, it seems like she would instantly win as soon as she can use her powers on people, altering their memories so that they'll ally with her.

As for her jobs, the only things she seems to have established are cooking skills (especially desserts) and possibly being able to read the ancient language (or develop the ability to), which are Sanji and Robin's skills (only more specific in the former case, and not guaranteed for the latter). I'm not sure what else she could bring to the crew.

A big difference between Carrot and Johnny/Yosaku/Conis/Kokoro is that she's shown an eagerness to explore the world. I don't know how likely she is as a Straw Hat candidate, but I figure she's at least a possibility; covers like this remind me of the covers for volumes 43 and 64, where the Straw Hats who are currently present are shown alongside an upcoming member.

The possible signs of her taking on a look-out position could be a coincidence, the relatively large amount of focus on her Sulong form could purely be build-up for other minks using it at Wano, and if Pedro survived an explosion at point-blank range that annihilated Perospero's arm (and nobody, even Perospero, noticed that Pedro had somehow survived), then that seems to take the wind out of her sails. However, it seems a bit much to say that supporters of the character "are reading a different story from everyone else" or that she's been an irrelevant tag-along since day one.

[AvocadoInTheRain]

@Megadoomer:

A big difference between Carrot and Johnny/Yosaku/Conis/Kokoro is that she's shown an eagerness to explore the world. I don't know how likely she is as a Straw Hat candidate, but I figure she's at least a possibility; covers like this remind me of the covers for volumes 43 and 64, where the Straw Hats who are currently present are shown alongside an upcoming member.

Don't forget that she's had two fights with named bad guys so far, as well with an established animosity against Perospero for the future. None of the other tag-alongs get fights like that.

@Megadoomer:

The possible signs of her taking on a look-out position could be a coincidence,

Reminder that she acts like a lookout twice in her first two chapters. One of them in such an impressive way that other characters make remarks about it.

[SeaOfHope]

It's funny to see people draft and speculate reasons against Carrot joining than for her joining period.

[K. Kira XXIII]

The discussion was pretty much over when Nazoms showed up. Luffy will just find his Sulong form too cool with that mask on and ask him to join.

But we can still have fun fantasizing~

[Long John Silvers Rayleigh]

Ok I know we are reaching here but do you have any proof at all that Nazoms is a mink, we just met the guy.