Summary
InOne Piece, Sabo’s fate is deeply tied to the mysterious D people, even though he doesn’t carry the initial himself. From childhood to adulthood, his path in life continues to overlap with the D people. Sabo’s sworn brothers, Monkey D. Luffy, and Portgas D. Ace, carry the D moniker, and Sabo’s shared ideal fuels the idea that the three brothers are fated to meet.
From escaping his noble upbringing, to nearlylosing his life at the hands of the Celestial Dragons, to his memory loss and eventual rise as the second-in-command of the Revolutionary Army, Sabo continues to encounter the D people. Even the Revolutionary Army he works for, Monkey D. Dragon, is a carrier of the D initial. Hence, these relationships with the D people have placed Sabo at the heart of the unfolding conflict inOne Piece, which most likely aligns with his destiny, making him a key player in the final arc.
Sabo’s Earlier Connection To The D People
The Brotherhood With Luffy And Ace
Sabo’s connection tothe D peopleis most profoundly expressed through his brotherhood with Luffy and Ace, who are two key figures in the D lineage. Though Sabo did not grow up knowing the will of D, he has questioned the fact that Luffy and Ace both carry the D initials. The D people are often characterized by their will, rejection of oppression, and inherent defiance of the world’s ruling systems. These traits are exemplified in both Luffy and Ace, who, likeSabo, dreamed of living freelyin a world that constantly sought to restrain them.
For Sabo, born into a noble family in Goa Kingdom, a region defined by a class divide where the poor are cast aside, and the rich live in luxury. Despite Sabo’s privileged upbringing, he shuns injustice and oppression, and climbing the social ladder is of no interest to him. In this vein, he longed for freedom because he felt trapped in a world that worships wealth over humanity.
Moreover, Sabo’s fateful encounter with Luffy and Ace isn’t a mere coincidence due to his will to break the chain of the oppressive society he grew up in. As brothers, the three shared the same aspirations for freedom, adventuring together as children and forming a pact to set sail as pirates when they grew older. However, Sabo’s dream was brutally interrupted when a Celestial Dragon shot and nearly killed him.The Celestial Dragon’sattack symbolized the tyranny Sabo had detested all his life and aimed to demolish, and it also marked the first major tragedy in Sabo’s life. Thought to be dead by Ace and Luffy, Sabo was rescued by Dragon, leader ofthe Revolutionary Army, but the trauma caused him to lose his memory, erasing the bond he had shared with his brothers.
For Sabo, the brotherhood he formed with Ace and Luffy was more than just a personal relationship, it became a source of strength and motivation throughout his life. Even after losing his memory and rising through the ranks of the Revolutionary Army, the bond with his brothers remained a core part of his identity. AfterAce’s death at Marinefordand recovery of his memory, Sabo journeyed to Dressrosa to acquire Ace’s Mera Mera no Mi devil fruit. Ace’s death weighed heavily on him, and Sabo viewed his death as a personal failure. Sabo felt that he had been unable to protect one of the most important people in his life, and the loss deepened his resolve to carry on Ace’s legacy by inheritingthe Mera Mera no Mi. Although Sabo is not a D himself, his desire to protect Luffy and his connection with Ace and other D people in the series makes him a protector of the D lineage.
Sabo’s Role In The Revolutionary Army
The Chief Of Staff’s Shared Ideal Of Freedom
In One Piece, the only thing known aboutthe D people is that they are the ancient enemy of the World Government. So far, the World Government vividly represents injustice and tyranny. Thus,Sabo’s role as the Chief of Staff in the Revolutionary Armyrepresents his larger commitment to the fight against oppression. In the Revolutionary Army, Sabo once again becomes a confidante and second in command toLuffy’s father, Dragon, who also carries the D initial. Hence, Sabo’s continuance in encountering and getting involved with the D people cannot be overlooked. Even though Sabo’s motivations stem from his desire to dismantle the oppressive system, his path inevitably overlaps with the D people, even as a revolutionary. In a Gorosei meeting, one ofthe five eldersquestions Sabo’s continued involvement with the D people. In other words, apart from being Luffy’s brother, his role as the chief of staff of Dragon is not a mere coincidence. Also, the event at the Reverie during the Revolutionary Army’s operation further solidified the idea that he is fated to help and fight alongside the D people who will fight against the World Government.
Sabo’s Impact In The Final Arc
Connection With The D people’s fate
The Pirate King, Gol D. Roger, has the ‘D’ initial, and his influence and legacy continue to ripple throughout the story. Sabo’s connection to the D people, most notably Luffy and Ace, reveals a deeper layer of his character. Hence, Sabo’s role as a revolutionary leader and Luffy’s brother indicates his fate is intertwined with the larger struggle for liberation. Also,the event that happened in the Room of Authorityduring the Reverie further solidified the idea that Sabo will continue to be drawn back into the fold of the legacy of the D people. Alabasta king, Nefertari D. Cobra, was murdered during the Reverie by Imu and the Five Elders−Jaygarcia Saturn, Shepherd Jupeter, Topman Valkyrie,Baron V. Nusjuro, Marcus Mars. During this unfortunate event, Cobra orders Sabo to tell his daughter, Vivi, and Luffy that they share the moniker D and that they must bear the flag of dawn, which most likely means toppling down the corrupt world order. The fact that Sabo is once again the person to give this information to the D people reinforces the idea that his fate is inextricably linked with theirs.
As the series builds towards its final arc, Sabo’s role will become increasingly pivotal. Also, the fact that Sabo now carries Ace’s will through his devil fruit solidifies his connection to Luffy’s destiny. The final arc is shaping up to be a convergence of the major forces in the world: the Pirates, the Revolutionary Army, the Marines, the Yonko, andthe World Government. Sabo stands at the intersection of these forces, with his ties to the D clan ensuring that his fate is intertwined with the final war that is bound to happen in the story. Sabo’s relationship with Ace, Luffy, Dragon and his future potential encounter with Vivi strongly emphasizes his growing importance in the series and that he will play a crucial role in the eventual downfall of the World Government. Sabo’s actions will likely be instrumental in exposing the truth about the D people, as his fate vividly portrays the broader struggle for freedom that the D people represent.
One Piece
One Piece is a Japanese manga written and illustrated by Eiichiro Oda. The series follows protagonist Monkey D. Luffy and his Straw Hat Pirate crew as they explore the Grand Line to find the King of the Pirates' ultimate treasure, the One Piece, in order to become the next king. The manga’s popularity helped it spin off into a larger media franchise, including an anime with more than 1,000 episodes.
