The look-out post.
This is a symbolized tool made to show the passage of the will between Pedro and Carrot. Let me dive in more detail:
First you need to note that Carrot was introduced as a jumper and therefore a natural lookout on 804-805. This was a setup for her future position on the ship later. I won't insult you by explaining why such setups are important, you must already know that. Then you also need to note that Pedro was also introduced as a natural look-out being literally introduced in the highs of the trees. This was also a setup for his position later.
Now. Jumping to 823 (the chapter where Carrot is REintroduced for the second time), read this chapter carefully and note how the lookout position is important to the chapter. It symbolize the youngness, the adventure, the discovery.
- Vivi is introduced to the post on the third page of this chapter. Note that she is a princess.
- Then we are shown how Vivi can jump back to the ship with ease, this will be usefull for Carrot and Pedro later.
- Then Carrot is introduced and with that the notion that she is just a kid playing in the big guys field (fun fact, the next chapter is called "playing pirate"). This is shown through the interaction of Pedro and Carrot. (Note, again, that a lot of things surrounding Carrot are focused around the notion of "seeing" something, discovering the ocean, living the adventure)
- Finally Pedro says that she is legitimate to stay, where? On the look out post. In fact Brook asked "
when did you get up there Pedro?" This puts back the lookout post in front page
- Front page literally.. because this is also where Pedro make the discover that the chapter will end up on "
Baltigo in utter ruin".
With this chapter, the lookout post is central for the notion of discovery, high, freedom and adventure. It opens and closes the chapter. This is the type of symbolism that Oda loves putting in his chapters. And this one is pretty important as it is a wordbuilding lore dump from beginning to end. In this chapter, you can already see that there is a symbolic torch that is passed from Vivi, to Pedro. Narratively, not literally.
The litteral passage of torch happens later. Its all in the subtext or subimage in this case.
Jumping to 829. Pedro's look-out role is reaffirmed: "land ahoy!". Carrot is still playing on the deck but we are starting to see that she has no role here.
- That's when on the fourth page, Carrot jumps on the look out post and REPLACE Pedro. This is the litteral passage of torch. Pedro is trusting Carrot at her job. In fact Carrot is immediatly proved usefull as she notice the grape-colored sea.
From now on, Carrot took Pedro's post, so Pedro's role is pretty much useless beyond what will happen on whole cake.
Jumping to 877. This time we are in a pinch and Pedro will make his last ahoy and farewell..
- This choice begin when he adresses to Carrot this: "
Try not to be startled by this sudden turn of events, I have a suspicion that Luffy and his friends are those whom our people and the kozuki clan have awaited for centuries, the ones who will guide us to the dawn of the world!!"
This is Pedro saying to Carrot "it will be okay, I trust you, follow and help Luffy" This is the theme of the inherited will, the push in the back. But Carrot doesn't really understand her place yet.
Jumping to 888. Once again the lookout post it at the center of this chapter, but this time more literally. This is the time for Carrot's first great sight, the pinch, and the time for her great moment, the Sulong transformation.
What is interesting is that Carrot realize her importance and so her reason for being here, at that moment, in front of the moon, on the lookout post. That post is now a symbol of self discovery, of transformation and finally of mysticism.
The torch now burns brightly
And the torch has been passed. Narratively and litterally, through the lookout post.
Now, remember what I told you to note ? That Vivi was a princess (and now legitimate Queen of Alabasta). THe question for Carrot is:
- Is her journey similar to VIvi ? Will she find a way to go back to sea as well ? That's the question.. Because her story seems unfinished.
