You can't convince me that Sabo is not a tragic character. He appears to be a cheerful, sweet and soft character but he's far from it.
The depth in his character is incredible. And yes, he is a tragic man. From the start, from childhood itself, he was forced into things he didn't like or didn't want by his own parents.
He realized too much too early. A tragic thing for a child. To realize the world is too cruel at such a young age and that too out of his own accordance. Not from his parents, not from people around him, not from anyone but by himself. He realized it all himself which I think is not talked about enough. He realized so much at such an early age. That too by himself. Imagine that kind of loneliness and disgust you would feel at your own home, at your own town, at your own surroundings. Sabo felt that all.
He meets Ace and Luffy who do become his safe and comfort place, however, a tragic incident takes it all away from him.
The incident didn't just take his memories; it took his home. He didn't just lose his memories; he lost a part of himself, his home, his brothers. Imagine feeling like you're missing something but not knowing what.
Seeing his brother's silhouette every now and then, feeling like he's so close to them but he can't reach them. It feels distant, he can't remember. He couldn't remember them until it was too late.
It was too late, he remembered but at what cost? His brother was gone, gone forever without even knowing he was alive. The guilt fills him up, then the regret engulfed him, self-hatred brooms in his heart. Why couldn't he remember before? Why was he not there when his brother needed him? Why did he have to lose his memory? The questions fill in his head when realization hits him — Luffy. Luffy is alive. His younger brother is alive and well.
He needs to be strong, strong for his little brother who might need him. He wants to be with him, go to him, reach out to him. However, he feels like he needs to visit Ace first before anything else.
Apologize for not being there, apologize for not remembering him, apologize for being alive but not being able to tell him.
Meeting Luffy, he puts on a brave front. Acts like a big brother, smiles, confidently, reassures him, comforts him. He tries his best to act like a big brother, trying his best to not break down in front of him. His legs quivering with anxiety, as he approached him, afraid, afraid of his lil brother's reaction. He would take it, anything he throws at him — a punch, a kick, a beating or whatever it could be.
Only to be met with a tight hug and tears of happiness from his brother. Something inside him breaks when he hears Luffy say “i let ace die in front of me”, it shattered his heart to pieces, more than he could count.
He cries when Luffy leaves, big brothers can't be crying in front of lil ones, right?
Isn't that right Ace? He thinks to himself as he fought for the legacy of his brother — Mera mera no mi. He must get it, at any cost. It's a memento, a legacy, a memory above all. The only thing that could bring close to his gone brother.
The fire feels horrifying, terrifying, comforting and haunting at the same time. He has the power, but, would Ace allow him to use it? Would Luffy like it? He asks Luffy if he can have Mera mera no mi. He thinks Luffy has more right on it than him even though they are brothers.
He doesn't have the right, he can't be the one to choose, how can he? When he didn't even remember them? How was he, even in the slightest, qualified to make that decision? So, he decides it has to be Luffy. His lil brother, if he says no, he would hand it over to him happily.
Using the powers of his lost brother comes at cost, every time he uses them, he is reminded of him. Of times he could've been there with them, of times he could have helped them, of times he needed them. Loud, too loud. His head is too loud whenever he uses it.
The nightmares persist, the night is still long, the sun is not shining, not for him at least.
But Ace wouldn't want him to be huddled up, crying, and doubting so much, would he? So, he questions,
“i wonder, do you feel relieved that I'm alive to look after Luffy now, Ace?”
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