Even he is saying he doesn't know with that answer...pretty sure he did not think of it before the question was even asked because thats the answer which I used to think too. I mean that fruit only existed so Chopper can become a character and not just an animal....then came the minks
poor chopper.
Yeah you're completely right unfortunately. Oda has been doing a TON of improvisation with OP as he has admitted on multiple occasions, including recently and he also admitted Chopper was purposely turned into a mascot too, for absolute shame, sigh.
Chopper was such a great character, especially at Enies Lobby and now he's just a joke for the most part and Kung Fu Point spammer.
He had a few nice moments post TS I guess but he's been so underwhelming, exploited, wasted and such.
I expected so much with him and Big Mom and even Kaidos arcs being about Beasts, humanity, war, chemical warfare and such but alas.
I wanted him to diagnose Big Moms eating disorder an try to help cure her or treat it at least, especially with how long he got to spend with her too.
I expected Monster Point and his Rumble Balls (his forced awakening too surely) to sy key roles with Kaido and the Beast Pirates too, but alas once again, no dice, sigh lol.