Why Didn’t Sabo Save Ace?

The question of why Sabo didn’t save Ace has long been a subject of discussion among One Piece enthusiasts. Some argue that the explosion of his ship by a Celestial Dragon for being a “bunch of trash” was the moment that Sabo failed, while others believe it was at Marineford when Ace was captured and Luffy almost succeeded in saving him.

The Age and Power Gap

The simplest reason for Sabo’s inability to save Ace lies in the significant age and power gap between them. When Sabo was 'killed' and sent to the Revolutionary Army at a very young age, he was unable to do much for his brother, Ace. However, when Ace was captured and about to be executed by Admiral Akainu, Luffy and his crew had already become formidable pirates, backed by the courage and strength to take on even the most formidable foes.

Ace’s Capture and Luffy’s Bravery

Following Shark Island, Luffy’s crew grew stronger, and they orchestrated a daring rescue at Impel Down. This marked a turning point in their journey as they fought their way through Impel Down and made their way to Marineford. There, they faced the combined forces of the Marines and the Whitebeard Pirates, one of the most epic showdowns in One Piece’s history. Luffy managed to reach the execution platform and free Ace, but unfortunately, the conflict eventually led to Ace’s death.

Both Luffy and Sabo did their best with the resources they had, but both failed in the end. Sabo’s role was less prominent due to his lost memories, but this doesn’t diminish the gravity of the situation.

The Awakening of Memories

Sabo's ability to save Ace was further complicated by the fact that he had lost all his memories of his past life with Ace and Luffy. It was only when Ace died that Sabo’s memories were gradually restored, leading to an emotional breakdown.

Early Life and Training

When Sabo was 10 years old, he decided to join the Revolutionary Army as a pirate. However, the Celestial Dragon intercepted his ship and, though Sabo survived the explosion, he nearly drowned and was rescued by Dragon. Again, Sabo's memories were erased, and he was taken to a Revolutionary Army ship.

For ten years, Sabo trained intensely with the Revolutionary Army and even surpassed his former instructor, Hack. His skills were exceptional, and he trained directly under Dragon, making him one of the most formidable fighters within the Revolutionary Army.

Returning to the Revolutionary Army

It was not until Sabo heard about the Marineford War that he began to remember his past. The news of Whitebeard’s death and Ace’s execution by Admiral Akainu prompted the fragmented memories of his past with Ace and Luffy to resurface. Tormented by this realization, Sabo had a mental breakdown.

After regaining his composure, Sabo told Hack and Koala that he had regained his memories but decided to stay with the Revolutionary Army, seeking Dragon for answers about a devil fruit.

A Homage to His Brothers

At some point, Sabo went to visit the graves of Whitebeard and Ace, a gesture of respect towards his deceased brothers, a step that symbolizes his return to his roots despite his current life path.

While Sabo's lack of direct action seems like failure, his journey and the memories he slowly regained underscore the complexity of the situation. His inability to save Ace was a result of age, memory, and the evolution of his circumstances over time.