Summary of Sabo’s Journey in One Piece
- Sabo aspired to become a pirate like his brothers, but his dreams were crushed early on by a Celestial Dragon.
- Had he embarked on his adventure as a child, Sabo might not have survived the perils of the East Blue.
- Waiting until adulthood to set sail could have positioned Sabo as powerful and feared as Ace.
Quick Navigation
Sabo is a compelling character within the universe of One Piece. Seemingly emerging from the shadows of Luffy’s backstory, he quickly garnered a large fanbase and took on a crucial role that filled the void left by Ace’s demise. While not a replacement for Ace, Sabo serves as a fitting successor, enriching the narrative significantly.
From his introduction, Sabo expressed a strong desire to pursue a life of piracy, joining his brothers, Ace and Luffy. Tragically, his voyage was abruptly halted before it truly began, leading to speculation among fans about what Sabo’s life might have entailed had he been able to fulfill his dream of sailing the seas.
Sabo’s Aspiration to Become a Pirate
His Journey Cut Short by Celestial Dragons
Revealed during Luffy’s poignant flashback at Marineford, Sabo, the third brother of Luffy and Ace, was born into a noble family but despised their corrupt values. His dreams of becoming a pirate blossomed after meeting Ace and Luffy, leading him to take his first steps toward that goal. Tragically, after fleeing Gray Terminal as a child, Sabo was immediately ambushed and seemingly killed by a Celestial Dragon.
“I want to see the world and write a book about it!” – Sabo
Fortuitously, he was rescued by Monkey D. Dragon, who brought him into the Revolutionary Army. Through intense training, Sabo became a formidable warrior, eventually rising to the rank of Chief of Staff, second only to Dragon. Following Ace’s death, Sabo, who had suffered amnesia from his childhood incident, regained his memories and reunited with Luffy during the Dressrosa Arc, revealing his survival.
Potential Outcomes of Sabo as a Pirate
His Chances as a Child Pirate
- Sabo might face certain defeat if he had set out to sea as a child.
- Even under different circumstances, Dragon may have intervened to rescue him again.
Reflecting on Sabo’s narrative, many fans speculate about the trajectory of his character had he been able to chase his dreams of piracy. However, much of this depends on the age at which he would have set sail.
Despite Sabo’s innate strength as a child, launching his journey at the same age as Luffy and Ace (17) seems crucial. Had he taken to the sea early, he likely would have struggled against the dangers that awaited him in the East Blue. The Celestial Dragon encounter illustrates this very risk; without Dragon’s rescue, Sabo may have faced a grim outcome, regardless of his skills. Moreover, even had he not met the Celestial Dragon, it’s probable that Dragon would have sought to recruit him again, terminating his pirate aspirations prematurely.
If Sabo Had Set Sail as an Adult
Sabo and Ace Could Have Sailed Together
If Sabo had waited until he turned 17 and trained alongside Ace and Luffy, he would have had a far better chance of emerging as a powerful pirate. With their comparable strengths during childhood, Sabo might have achieved notoriety similar to Ace’s had he pursued a life at sea. While he might not have joined the Whitebeard Crew, he would have likely played a pivotal role in Luffy’s efforts to save Ace at Marineford, potentially shifting the outcome of that intense conflict.
“The thing I’m most afraid of is being consumed by this country, and becoming a completely different person.”- Sabo
Though it’s fascinating to consider what Sabo could have achieved as a pirate, his current role in the Revolutionary Army adds immense depth to his character. Envisioning him in any other capacity within the series feels challenging; let’s hope that when Sabo finally returns to the forefront, he’ll showcase that his path as a One Piece revolutionary was indeed the right one.