Summary

Sabo's tragic past led him to join the Revolutionary Army and become a key figure in One Piece lore.
Inheriting Ace's devil fruit, Sabo continues to honor his legacy as the Flame Emperor, fighting for freedom.
Sabo's dedication to his cause and his protective role towards Luffy make him a vital player in the final saga.

The chief of staff and number two in the Revolutionary Army, Sabo, was not always well known in One Piece. As a child, Sabo decided to set out as a pirate; however, he was met with misfortune. This misfortune significantly changed Sabo’s life, leading him to join the Revolutionary Army, which Monkey D. Dragon, the most wanted man in the world, founded.

Dragon created the Revolutionary Army after he became fed up with the World Government’s preference for violence. As Sabo strung along with the Revolution Army, he became the successor to Fire Fist Ace and inherited his devil fruit. As the duo have a long-standing history together, fans can only wonder what inheriting Ace’s legacy will mean for Sabo’s future actions in One Piece.

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A One Piece arc better than Marineford is coming.

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Sabo’s Rise To Prominence And Dedication To The Cause

From Child Of A Noble To Number Two In The Revolutionary Army

Sabo Infusing his hands with Armament Haki so he can fight soldiers in One Piece

As the child of a noble, Sabo hated how his parents operated and ran away from home. Running away, the young noble lived as a pauper in the Gray Terminal, an area for outlaws where he met Luffy and Ace. As child troublemakers, the trio became sworn brothers and swore to set out to sea as pirates someday. Sabo was set to set out first; however, misfortune bore the young child, and he was attacked by a celestial dragon for ‘obstructing’ his path. On the verge of death, Sabo was saved by Dragon, the leader of the Revolutionary Army himself.

This incident made Luffy and Ace, Sabo’s sworn brothers, believe he was dead. Meanwhile, Sabo’s accident caused him amnesia, and he would not remember his past for many years on end. Before he decided to set out to sea, Sabo was often disgusted and dissatisfied with the way the nobles ran things.

Old man...the ones behind this fire...are the royalty and the nobles. Please believe me! This town smells worse than the Gray Terminal. The people here are rotten to the core. If I stay here...I'll never be free! I'm... Ashamed I was ever born a noble!! —Sabo

Sabo's deep-seated hatred for the nobles would continue to fuel him even after he lost his memories and joined Dragon. After joining the Revolutionary Army at a young age, Sabo was trained by many, such as Dragon, Kuma, and Ivankov, the founders of the Revolutionary Army. After a decade, Sabo is portrayed in One Piece as number two of the Revolutionary Army, showing how high up the ranks he climbed. As a member of the Revolutionary Army, Sabo remains dedicated to the cause and proclaims to crush the World Government and its followers.

Sabo's Encounter With Luffy

Reunion And Rekindling Of Brotherhood

After the Marineford arc and Ace’s death, the whole world is shaken. Meanwhile, at the point of seeing the news of Ace’s death, Sabo remembers that Luffy and Ace are his sworn brothers.

That's right.. The person who was killed isn't some nameless pirate.. Not some must-eliminate major player in the pirate age.. Ace is.. My brother! —Sabo

After remembering the time he had shared with his brothers, Sabo visited Ace's grave. Meanwhile, he doesn’t reveal himself to Luffy until the Dressrosa arc, in which Doflamingo puts up the Mera Mera no Mi for grabs. After revealing that he is alive, Luffy cries tears of joy and supports Sabo inheriting Ace’s will by taking the Mera Mera no Mi. After consuming the devil fruit, Sabo declares that he is Luffy’s elder brother. This declaration rocks the world, as Sabo is number two in the Revolutionary Army. With Sabo as an elder brother to Luffy, many would have to consider Sabo before attacking Luffy. Moreover, from this point on, Sabo comes to Luffy’s rescue many times, even in non-canon One Piece movies.

Sabo Obtains The Mera Mera No Mi

Sabo Becomes The Successor To Ace's Past Devil Fruit, Inheriting His Will

After dressing up as Luffy in Dressrosa, Sabo assumes the role of a competitor in the Corrida Colosseum for the Mera Mera no Mi. Sabo, the Revolutionary Army's number two, rips the stage to shreds and then eats the devil fruit. Sabo begs Ace to keep an eye on him before doing so, and after he eats the fruit, he becomes the heir to Ace's will. On the day of Ace's death, Whitebeard made a public proclamation about the inviolability of his will and the heir apparent. Following Whitebeard's proclamation, Sabo receives his brother's will in a subsequent episode.

Just as there will be those who inherit Roger’s will, someone will inherit Ace’s will as well. —Whitebeard

Sabo's Impact In The Revolutionary Army And His Role In The World Of One Piece

Sabo Discovers An Important Truth

Sabo meeting with Koala & Hack in One Piece's Dressrosa Arc

With the current events in One Piece, Sabo continues to fight for freedom as he declares war on the World Government and invades Marijoa. Moreover, by infiltrating Marijoa, Sabo discovers the truth about the World Government and is prepared to let the world know. Meanwhile, his achievements spread worldwide, and Sabo is proclaimed Flame Emperor, with his name becoming more widespread than Dragon’s. As Ace was known by his epithet Fire Fist, Sabo being known as Flame Emperor shows how he has continued to honor his brother's legacy with his actions. Interestingly, immediately after consuming the Mera Mera no Mi, Sabo’s first attack is Fire Fist.

As the One Piece final saga comes to an end, Sabo is expected to play major roles and face off against the World Government while he protects his brother Luffy. In terms of a replacement for Ace, no one could possibly have inherited Ace’s will better than Sabo.

One Piece is available to stream on Crunchyroll.