But if Oda really wanted to establish a role for Carrot on the crew, why wouldn't he show her doing it with the rest of the crew present?
He had to do it sometime and the only moment that it was relevant was 888 because of multiple factor linked to the storylines and the narration. So he did make the crew react, just enough.
We just got to see the Strawhats infiltrate enemy territory, which according to you is what a sentry would specialize at.
This is indeed one of my question. Oda could've done something for Carrot. But you have to ask.. would it fit the narration ? My guess is no.. not in this one.. showing Carrot doing something incredible while she was absent the rest of the arc would have only felt.. pretty strange.. That's why I thinkk Oda is keeping her low for now. It's all about the momentum of the characters.
The thing is though, the theme of Drum Island is Inherited Will. Yes, it's a theme present with Strawhats before and after Chopper. But I feel like he arguably has the clearest example of it. After all, the chapter called "Inherited Will" focused on him. I'm not saying that confidence isn't a theme with his character, but I just don't think it's the MAIN theme.
Not really, if you talk about inherited will.. the one with the most links to that theme would be Robin (for a lot of reasons). At least in the storytelling. Drum was just the place the theme took a major place, but it was here all along and it was only here to reenforce Chopper's already given theme.
I think Franky's is definitely responsibility.
Franky's all arc is the complete opposite of that. THeir is a part of "responsibility" to it, but the whole arc revolves around the message of his old master: "you must always take pride in what you make no matter the outcome". In fact the entire personnality/design/choices and arc of Franky revolves around Prideness, if you want I could write you a little analysis about that, because it's a very interesting topic storytelling wise. (I'm just a little tired right now)
How many Strawhats are as good a cook Sanji?
None. But let me answer you back: How many strawhat couldve done in 888 what Carrot did in that context ? None either. Sanji is too slow, the others can fly or are just too dumb and would have engaged a fight. Carrot was the perfect fit to do the perfect job.. but even more so: How many strawhat can see the world like Carrot can ? The answer is none. Not even Luffy (now) does that. Carrot is pure wonder. It's her thing. That's what she is good at, I know it's a bit weird to say it like that as it is not a skill but a way to be, but it's true.
Wonder. That's her thing. That's her value. And that's for a good reason: we are at the end of the story, we understand the world now.. even Luffy is starting to grow.. but we still need to see that excitment in the characters. That's what Carrot is here for. A new pair of eyes.. at the look out post.
Meanwhile Carrot's eyes are good, but not as good as Usopp's.
Debatable.. In non canon material, Carrot's eyesight is said to be excellent. (Pirate Warrior)
She's agile, but probably not as agile as Sanji is
Also very debatable. The Sulong in it self (look at the panel in 889) proves otherwise.
She's not as good at recon as Robin, a woman who can place eyes and ears
Recon is not intel, it's about being on the field. (888) (804)
She can guard things, sure, but not as good as Zoro can.
But that's not his job.. neither is her's.
Yes Carrot can jump high, but Sanji can fly
Carrot can float. And her jumping ability rivals Sanji's skywalk in term of speed.
Nami has Zeus she can just have him fly around to get a good look at things.
Not her job.
Yes, Carrot can create lightning, but so can Nami and probably Franky.
And Brook can swing a sword.. just like Zoro.. the accumulation of skill is therefore not a problem to the recrutment.
And yes I've actually gone ahead and read your blog and you never explain what Carrot can do that no other Strawhat can do better.
Because that's not how it works. It's not about being "better" or the "best" it's about being the perfect FIT for the crew.