It appears that a significant One Piece character has recently died off-screen. One Piece’s chapter #1053 has a secret tidbit that provides a clue as to what happened to Sabo, Luffy’s adoptive brother, whose whereabouts were unknown following a perilous encounter with two of One Piece’s Marine Admirals. There is a significant likelihood that Sabo has perished, which would mean that Luffy has now lost a second brother at the hands of a Marine Admiral in addition to Ace.
Sabo was allegedly killed while attempting to flee his aristocratic and oppressive family. Sabo, Ace, and Luffy all grew up together in the kingdom of Goa and shared the desire of becoming pirates. Sabo was actually rescued by Monkey D. Dragon, the Revolutionary Army’s commander and the father of Luffy, who took him on after being moved by his contempt for nobility. However, prior to learning of Ace’s passing, Sabo had completely forgotten all of his earlier memories. Sabo, who is now the second in command of the Revolutionary Army, made a decision to defend his surviving brother Luffy and uphold Ace’s legacy. After more than ten years apart, he assisted Luffy in defeating Doflamingo in Dressrosa, and the two were reconciled. Following their touching reunion in Dressrosa, Sabo and Luffy parted ways. In order to free their comrade Kuma, who was held captive by the Celestial Dragons, Sabo and the other Revolutionary Army leaders infiltrated Mary Geoise at the Levely, the meeting of the world’s monarchs. While the conflict and its resolution were not depicted in the manga, two Admirals, Ryokugyu and Fujitora, approached them. Eiichiro Oda hinted that Sabo was actually murdered despite recently gaining the abilities of Ace’s previous Devil Fruit, the Mera Mera no Mi.
Chapter #1053 appeared to provide readers with assurance that what they had been thinking about was accurate. A large poster featuring Sabo’s image hangs on the wall of a structure in the panel’s background. The area appears to be one of the kingdoms liberated by the Revolutionary Army, therefore the poster may be their way of honouring a deceased commander, based on the minute details that can be made out.
The majority of readers did not even notice this minor fact at this point, yet there would be no need for the Revolutionary Army to display enormous Sabo’s posters unless he was dead. According to a fan theory, Sabo was falsely accused of killing King Cobra and Princess Vivi of Alabasta during the Levely by the World Government because they opposed the World Government’s rule. As a result, when the news of the Levely spread around the globe, Sabo’s friends were reportedly seen sobbing in shock. Whatever truly transpired, it is most likely that Sabo was apprehended, possibly by the same Admiral Ryokugyu who is currently looking for Luffy on Wano, and ultimately put to death.
This theory’s one saving grace is that, if Sabo had really been apprehended and put to death, Ace would have suffered the exact same fate, making the story repeat itself, which is highly improbable for Eiichiro Oda. But for the time being, the author wants readers to believe that Luffy losing another brother in the same way would be cruel. Perhaps Ryokugyu will give Luffy an update on Sabo’s condition, or perhaps this will be the opportunity for Luffy and his father Dragon to finally meet. Readers will regrettably have to wait a full month before One Piece serialisation returns. For the time being, fans can only assume the worst and believe that Sabo, Luffy’s last surviving sibling, was truly killed by One Piece.
