Carrot's return in One Piece is needed to save her character arc
Carrot was one of the MVPs from the Whole Cake Island arc of One Piece. Despite having no relationship with the Straw Hat Pirates, she became involved with the Sanji Retrieval Mission and was crucial to the escape from Big Mom's territory. However, she might still be the intermediate member of the Straw Hat Pirates, given she never received a canon farewell.
Even though she received a filler farewell, the fandom wasn't satisfied with the fan-favorite character not receiving the spotlight she deserved for her services. So, this might see her return to Elbaph Island, where the Straw Hat Pirates are accompanying the giants. As the current ruler of the mink dukedom, her services might again prove crucial to the Straw Hat Pirates.
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One Piece: Exploring the return of Carrot
Carrot is a rabbit mink and a former member of Inurashi's Musketeer Squad. She was introduced during the Dressrosa arc of One Piece when Jack, the Beast Pirates, attacked Zou. However, he had to leave after learning about the defeat of Doflamingo. The Straw Hat Pirates, who reached Zou earlier than Luffy and some others, met Carrot and her fellow minks.
After learning about Sanji accompanying Bege to Whole Cake Island, Carrot kept silent about the issue as Nami was very disturbed by this incident. Eventually, after Luffy and the rest of the Straw Hat Pirates arrived, Nami told them what happened. So, the Straw Hat Pirates formed a Sanji retrieval team to rescue their crewmate from the forced marriage.
In addition to Pedro, another mink forcibly joined the Straw Hat Pirates in their journey to Whole Cake Island, and that was Carrot. As they discovered her after traveling through half of their journey, the Straw Hat Pirates couldn't send her back and made her join the team.
On Whole Cake Island, Carrot's services proved crucial to the overall win of the Straw Hat Pirates due to her thinking and mink powers. However, the spotlight of these powers was her Sulong form, which became crucial to the Straw Hat Pirates' escape. After escaping, and the frenzy in the Wano Kingdom, Carrot was declared the new captain of the mink dukedom.
However, she didn't receive an official farewell from the Straw Hat Pirates (she did receive a filler one). This left a sour taste in the fandom who were expecting her to at least receive a similar farewell to Vivi. So, as she might still be an intermediate member of the Straw Hat Pirates, she might return to Elbaph Island and help Straw Hats further until she receives a proper farewell.
Analysis and final thoughts
A filler episode featuring her farewell might be a hint that Carrot wouldn't return, given how Eiichiro Oda is somewhat involved in the anime. However, her return might also still be possible as Carrot didn't receive a proper farewell (which is given from the treatment of other intermediate Straw Hat members like Vivi). So, fans can expect the return of Carrot in One Piece.
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