It seems like a little deconstruction and a panel analysis is necessary... Fine:
Why Carrot is the protagonist in this panel ?
First: Because there is two sets of lines. The first are the vanishing lines on the side those are converging in the center of the panel where Wanda and Neko are. There are here to make us look at their face. Then there are the sight lines, the lines where the two characters looks at Carrot (or rather behind her). What is the result of that ? Our sight is naturally guided to Carrot's face who is looking backward with intensity and fleeing from something (probably the rocks crumbling down in the air).
Second: Because Carrot is in shadow. Making her Character instantly stand out. We are again naturally attracted to the character of Carrot.
So yeah, Carrot is the protagonist of this panel and this is exactly what I was waiting for. Oda is still focusing on Carrot. Meaning that even after her defeat, she still has a role to play.
It's visual storytelling, it doesn't get any better than that.
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Well you should.. right now the story is only confirming what I predicted.