Throughout the continuation of "One Piece", followers have been treated to some wonderful crew members. Over time, we have watched Monkey D. Luffy expand his following from just himself and a drivveling purple haired kid to a wanted swordsman, a pirate-hating thief, a snot-nosed marksman, a womanizing cook, a transforming deer, an archeologist, a cyborg, and most recently a musician that happens to be dead. But since that last addition, a lot of things have happened. It feels like it's been ages since Brook joined the crew, and when you look back, it really has been. Brook was introduced over 15 volumes ago (43) and became a crew member almost 10 volumes ago. When you think about how many characters have joined the Straw Hat crew thus far, it is taking far longer than normal to introduce number 9. My bet is on Boa Hancock, who is currently obsessed with Luffy and by the end of the current arc will likely be stripped of her Shichibukai ranking. That, coupled with her considerable popularity in Japan (she along with regulars Nami and Vivi got a boob-mousepad). Then again, seeing Flamingo or Ace joining Luffy would not surprise me either.
Crew member number 9?
