Many One Piece fans were upset when the honorary Straw Hat Princess Vivi didn't remain with the crew after Alabasta, but a recent revelation revealed why this had to be the case. This shows how far ahead mangaka Eiichiro Oda likely planned the series, adding to his prestigious reputation. It also can act as solace for fans who were disappointed with her separation.

Vivi was initially a member of the villainous group Baroque Works, but after encountering the Straw Hats she became fast allies with them. It was revealed that she was actually a princess of Alabasta fighting to reclaim her land from the manipulative warlord Crocodile. Before they brought the fight to Crocodile in Alabasta, the Straw Hats had a series of adventures with Vivi that caused them to become close friends. At the end of the Alabasta arc Vivi had to stay behind to help rule her country, but she left the crew as a member of the Straw Hats even if she couldn't publicly be known as one. This made many fans sad as she was a popular character, but a recent revelation revealed that this separation was unavoidable.

Vivi Couldn't Sail With The Straw Hats in One Piece Due to Her Will of D

During the Egghead Island arc, it is revealed that in the Reverie King Cobra had revealed to Im and the 5 Elders that the Nefertari family carried the Will of D. The Will of D is a mysterious phenomenon that connects a variety of important characters in the series that oppose the tyranny of the World Government. It seems like each individual bearer of the Will of D has a unique part to play in the battle against Im's oppressive rule. This is ed by the fact that none of the major Straw Hats beside Luffy bear the Will of D. Thus it makes sense that Vivi as another member of the D Clan would not be able to accompany Luffy on his entire journey.

Now that Vivi is playing a larger role in the series again, fans may soon get to see her finally reunite with the Straw Hats. This would make sense given she can no longer return to her kingdom without making herself a target of the World Government. In addition, with the Final Saga setting up a direct confrontation between the Straw Hats and the World Government, multiple bearers of the Will of D may soon together to defeat Im together. This would allow Vivi to sail with the other Straw Hats yet again and make up for her long absence from the crew.

Of course, given the large amount of different important events occurring simultaneously at this point in the story, it may be a while before the series focuses on Vivi again. But given she carries the Will of D and has a deep connection to the Straw Hats, it is only a matter of time before she reappears. Even if Vivi doesn't end up reing the Straw Hats at that point, at least One Piece fans can take solace in the fact that there is an actual lore reason why she can't be with the crew again.