Tama, who can control animals, is shown right afterward?
Cover Series don't get good until around halfway through. Or they don't get good. (Shout out to Caribou and Enel for having the best Cover Series.)
Tama being with Shinobu is also important because Tama's condition for joining the crew is learning Ninjitsu, from Shinobu (and possibly Raizo, since I want Shinobu and Raizou to get together and adopt O-Tama).
People think I'm joking, like no:
The giant Snake (think this has ties to Elbaf, too), Nola from Skypiea, is still stronger than Usopp, IMO.
If Tama ends up on Elbaf she would become a literal menace to society.
BUT, if Giant Beasts from Elbaf do have Haki, then I bet Tama won't be able to control them, unless she develops Haki. IE, the Giant Beasts Haki would over-ride her Fruit since Tama has no Haki.
So, yes, most people aren't paying attention to Yamato's Cover Series, only my crazy ass.