Narasho -
From what they've done so far it seems she will play a much more major role in the story now that she can actually fight, before she couldn't be by the others because she would just get her butt kicked, but now she can defend herself. Besides I don't think they would have given her Tsunades SUPER CHAKRA STRENGTH and medical jutsus if they didn't intend on implementing her more..just some thoughts ^_^