yeah oda didn't portray it much compared to the others
Hmmm, Not a good look for the “Future Nakama" I say.
Oda is known to let his storylines in the shadows as much as possible. In this case. The struggle must feel a purpose, if not there was no reason to put it there as it doesn't relate too much with the war in question (at first sight).
So.. when we analyse it we find out three thing:
- Carrot was not just defeated, she was humiliated. Therefore this calls for a form of retaliation (from the character in question)
- Carrot was angry to tears during this defeat. Meaning that this defeat had on her a real impact.
- Perospero made a speech about Carrot
herself, not just her defeat. He pinpointed precisely her weakness (being her naivety in front of the sea) and made a conclusion : "you are not suited for the sea, return home". Like I said many time before here, this monologue is a "challenge to the character". This is a narrative trope that use an antagonist stating a seemingly hard truth to a protagonist, only to being proven wrong after X time, when the protagonist uses that weakness to win against the antagonist... So. In this instance, Carrot can't win again Perospero - unless he wakes up - so this won't be something Carrot will prove to him rather than to herself! And this can be proven in a lot of way, one of which would be if Carrot ends up in a similar situation against a similar ennemy.. But this time, with a cold head. This times only will she be able to prove to herself that she is worthy of being a pirate.
So.. Those three thing are proving one thing. The defeat of Carrot hides something more for her character. It doesn't have to be huge or ultra impactfull, but this proves taht Carrot is not just a simple background character. Oda is having a real plan for her. In fact now that I think about it and if we take the theory
that Big Mom could chase the strawhat to Elbaf into account.. there could be a chance for Carrot to face Perospero again and prove him wrong once and for all.
But right now, Oda prefers to let her stay in the shadow.