@tigerlilly:
Her promising to wait for Luffy, let's say after he agrees to marry her, would be a way to solve this. But it's a bit lame in my eyes. Her staying in AL would completely write her out of the story, except for maybe some Vivi-esque reaction shots every 100 chapters. She's a strong warlord herself, her and her crew pushing forward to the new world (maybe as a way to be on Luffy's behind the scenes) would be a much more interesting idea in my book. But we can only wait and see.
Oh no, you misunderstood me. I meant she waits whilst being in Luffy's crew. She can say to herself that until Luffy accomplishes his dream, she'll stave off the marriage thing and in the meantime try to accelerate the process by joining his crew and kicking ass. Off course she could still have Sanjiesque moments too. This is of course assuming she joins which, as much as I would love and would make me jump around like a nancy pants, I doubt will happen. I totally agree with you on the points that Hancock deserves far more screen-time and her chasing after Luffy in the New World wpould be the best option. I even made a long-ass post about it in the chapter thread complete with a theory on how Luffy can make a splash to the world that he's recovered and back in action, Marguerite's prospects of joining as well as some quirky humour.
Spoilered for length
! @Thousand:
! > Putting in my expert opinion on all things Hancockish…
God that just sounded so fucking stupid and lame...
Ahem anyway, I highly disagree that it's gonna be a Chi Chi thing. Hancock has proven herself over and over again to be AT LEAST Bon Kurei level. In other words, she needs at least one arc outside of the final war where she can be part of the story. And that's the minimum. I'm trying to not sound biased here but I believe she deserves an even more active role in the story than that.
Now I don't believe she'll join the crew, stated this many times, would love it if she did and I would fantasize about sucking Oda's balls in my dreams even more than usual if it happened...what is wrong with me today?...ahem but for your reasons and more, I just don't see it.
The thing is I see Hancock's role as quite unique in One Piece. It's like she's between a life-long friend like Mr. 2 or Vivi and an actual Straw Hat. I think personally the best option is if she "chases" Luffy in the New World like Smoker and Tashigi, Buggy etc. with the difference that she catches up to Luffy more often than not where she conveniently loses him every time. Would give her quite an active role befitting her relationship to Luffy in my opinion.
Of course I could just be highly biased whether unconsciously or not and it's affecting my judgment and that Hancock just waiting at the island is is okay but that's what I feel is best.
...
Oh shit, shit, shit. I just realized this while typing and this is no joke. One of the crucial things I believe Oda needs to do is have Luffy give a message to the Marines he's back after he recovers and that hes a threat that will need to be reckoned with in the New World. Of course this could be done at Fishman Island but a) it'll take too long and b) Fishman Island is in the New World already and that wouldn't exactly give that hopeful message that this guy is gonna tear shit up in that place, he would have already torn up shit. But what if Luffy's message will be done at Amazon Lilly? By fending off a Marine attack? I know it has flaws in it not least the Admirals again if they show up the first time but it does seem like an opportunity to establish Luffy as a fully-recovered serious contender for the New World. Oh and of course, if Amazon Lilly is attacked, the Amazons would need to evacuate and stuff because if they don't appear the first time, the Admirals would definitely appear the second time and Hancock could do what she wants then. But the main point about this theory is about Luffy showing the government that he's far from finished and that he'll do whatever it takes to accomplish his dreams.
Oh and Marguerite is definitely just a Paulie character, She didn't even get a title box:/
@Ivotas:
How about her joining the revolution army? Then Amazon Lily wouldn't stand alone and she would have a purpose where her fighting skills would be of use in the future.
Speaking of which, I think that sooner or later all the islands, cities and kingdoms Luffy helped out will help the revolution in one way or the other. It's not like Arabasta, DrumSakura Kingdom or Water Seven had some relation with the WG that did them any good. At Arabasta the WG didn't provide any help until Smoker reported on Crocodile, in Drum a pirate rampaged a kingdom fell and a new was created and at Water Seven they've sectretely tried to kill the leader. That's not really a dimplomatic relation that you have to keep at all costs. When the time comes to fight the WG in big style, I bet everything I have Cobra, Dalton and Iceburg will take a stance in here. And Hancock (with Amazon Lily) could be one more on that front.
Pretty interesting but a) I don't think it gives Hancock quite the amount of screen time she deserves (of course I could just be biased but that's what I feel) and b) CP9 needs to join the revolutionaries more and if both they and the Amazons join, it'll get old quick. Besides I just don't see Amazons and revolutionaries:/ Seems a bit contrived…
And yeah Hancock and the Amazons will definitely be fighting in the final war but I think the issue is her getting screen-time fitting for her character till then. I know this sounds pretty biased but I do feel that her relationship IS above friend for life like Bon Kurei and Vivi (definitely useless Vivi>.>) yet not quite there for a Straw Hat. Like an in-between thing which I believe has never happened before.