You can take it beyond that. All of the SH recruits were directly linked to the main villain both narratively and thematically. Zoro by far had the quickest requirement, but Luffy still came to the island with the goal of making Zoro join him. Zoro couldn't do that because of Axe Hand Morgan keeping him and his weapons hostage.
Carrot was a supporting character in WCI and even that was inflated cause Oda's editor at the time made him give Carrot that much attention. As soon that editor when away and Wano came around, Carrot swiftly fell into the background as a minor character and was completely separated from the main conflict and climax. That has never happened to a SH before.
Carrot was a supporting character in WCI and even that was inflated cause Oda's editor at the time made him give Carrot that much attention. As soon that editor when away and Wano came around, Carrot swiftly fell into the background as a minor character and was completely separated from the main conflict and climax. That has never happened to a SH before.