I had thought about how the Strawhat Grand Fleet could get bigger years back. Had a theory at OJ. If the Strawhat Grand Fleet arrives in Wano bigger with certain recruits...bliss.
Marco being in Wano opens up the recruitment for the Whitebeard Pirates remnants for a special division in the Straw Hat Grand Fleet. Weevil is looking for a Daddy figure. Gear 4 Luffy post-Wano is going to surpass "Whitebeard" by defeating Weevil. Elbaf may be a great setting adding Loki and Big Mom in the mix. Or none of this prediction happens lol but what I stated would be an updated theory ending since the time is almost here in Wano.
Yes, Yamato is a part of the alliance under Kozuki under Samurai for the Ninja-Pirate-Mink-Samurai Alliance.
Who did you think was joining before Yamato? Did you feel the same certainty you feel now? I think you did. My "bias" has a process like yours.
I started thinking about it during when the New World began.
Monet is a cute birdwoman that seemingly made a great lookout for Caesar Clown. Astronomy potential. Snow Logia. But then she ruined it by knowingly drugging children. Then she showed her ass by attacking Zoro. Shook my head. She should have known better.
Bartolomeo would be a great Shipguard. And him feeling unworthy adds to him staying on-board the Sunny while they adventure. Too much of a stan. 2nd Division Commander of the Strawhat Grand Fleet is a great consolation. The leader of Strawhat Stans.
Leo would have been the best Tailor, Gardener, and Surgeon. Super useful. Too naive and small though. Princess Manshelley may have been an obstacle. 5th Division Commander of the Strawhat Grand Fleet is a great consolation.
Kyros, the statue of foreshadowing that wasn't, made more sense over Rebecca from a pure battle capacity with him defeating Diamante. Trueno Bastardo was magnificent. But in the end Kyros wasn't going to leave his daughter ever. Ally to Strawhats in the WG War.
Neko and Inu have shown no interest to follow Luffy like they did Whitebeard and Roger. Comparing the rest of the Minks by strength, impact in story, design, and mystery for my interest I'd rank it:
1. Pedro
2. Pekoms
3. Faust
4. Bepo
5. Lindbergh
6. Carrot
7. 3 Dog Musketeers
The top 5 have not shown their Sulong forms. Pedro is a top Mink we the readers seen in a fight with no named moves...curiousity peaking. Pekoms is the ONLY Mink seen with a Devil Fruit. Hybrid Sulong. Nuff said. Faust for some unknown reason has not been seen ANYWHERE in Wano. Where is Faust? I'm thinking more than likely Faust is Hawkins escape plan. It makes no sense otherwise for Faust not to be in this Wano war during a Full Moon.
Bepo has been displayed but has not shown his Sulong form. What has prevented Bepo from looking at multiple Full Moon opportunities? Perhaps some acknowledgement about Zepo for character development?
Lindbergh could have a machine or weapon that amplifies his Sulong form. Electro as an energy source...my gawd!
Carrot is who she is. Childish. Fun. Simple. Straightforward. Helpful. 1st Sulong shown. Maybe be the 1st Super Sulong? I jest. Going to Elbaf is a possibility though. Beyond that depends on what Oda gives her next interest. If it's the moon then that fits. That would insane for Carrot to keep sneaking on-board but never being a crewmate!
In Wano, Yamato vs Tama is really what it comes down to as Carrot ALREADY rode on Sunny so that in itself separates her over either. They both share Ace connection and are against Kaido negging unique factors. Add that Caribou may be riding after Wano takes away panels from someone else's impact joining with Jinbe. I think more time will pass to drag the nakama wars to the latest reasonable deadline lol.
Jinbe recruitment process seems to be halting any other new recruits. At least that's how the results are portrayed to me. Oda planned this out for a LONG time. Decades. Of course plans change but I doubt Oda didn't know who the final crew would be pre-timeskip. I in my observations see possible hints from chapters 31, 175, 302, 318, 392, 424, 484, 603, 658-659 for Pedro. I haven't seen potential early hints for the other candidates I thought had a chance for however long it lasted.
I've read. Yamato stating they will leave ain't the same as Luffy inviting Yamato.