One Piece: How powerful is flame emperor Sabo? Luffy's brother and revolutionary hero explained

Time of India

23-05-2025

One Piece's world is home to some of the fiercest pirates and strongest warriors the seas have ever known, but none more so than Sabo, the Flame Emperor himself. While fans are familiar with main character Monkey D.
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Luffy as the future King of the Pirates, Sabo has been sneakily growing into one of the most powerful forces for good in the series.
As the right-hand man of Monkey D. Dragon—the world's most wanted man and the leader of the Revolutionary Army—Sabo's strength and backstory play a key role in One Piece 's Final Saga. He's not just Luffy's sworn brother though, he's the inheritor of Portgas D. Ace's awesome flame powers. Here's all you need to know about Sabo's powers, past and future.
Who is Sabo in One Piece?
Sabo may be a pirate, he's Luffy's sworn brother and a promising major player in the Revolutionary Army. He spent his formative years with Luffy and Ace in the Goa Kingdom, which is where they officially became brothers. Though he did have the privilege of being born into a noble family, the expectation confiding in Sabo himself was that he would be just as corrupt as his family and marred by their homeland's aristocracy.
He rebelled against this decision and chose a life of freedom.
Tragically, though, Sabo was presumed killed when a World Noble shot down the ship he fled upon. Fortunately, he was rescued by his father Monkey D. Dragon who raised him to be in the Revolutionary Army. It wasn't until Ace first died and he recovered his memories that he decided to solely protect Luffy's dream and fight for justice.
Sabo's family ties: Brothers, parents, and a lost childhood
Brothers: Luffy and Ace are Sabo's sworn brothers, although they are not blood-related. The trio were inseparable, best friends who swore their lives to one another and hoped to sail the open seas as pirates together.
Sabo was born to a wealthy noble family in the Goa Kingdom. His parents would have had him inherit their exalted niche in society. Sabo detested their hatred and bigotry. He got in trouble for running away from home and decided he preferred life on the lam with Luffy and Ace.
After his own ship was destroyed by a Celestial Dragon, Dragon had rescued him, took him in and raised him as a member of the Revolutionary Army.
What are Sabo's powers?
1. The flame of the fire fist: Mera Mera no Mi (Flame-Flame Fruit)
After Ace's death, his powerful Logia Devil Fruit—the Mera Mera no Mi—was up for grabs in a battle royale-style tournament in Dressrosa.
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Sabo joined the cause, won the tournament, and as Ace's inheritance was the Ace's flame powers, he re-inherited Ace's flame powers and became the new 'Fire Fist,' in honor of his comrade's legacy.
The legendary Logia-type fruit grants Sabo the ability to produce, manipulate, and become fire. He can shoot gigantic attacks of flame, fly with fire propulsion, and melt through pretty much anything.
This means that Sabo can finally use Ace's signature move, Hiken (Fire Fist).
2. Master of ryusoken : Dragon claw martial arts
Even before he obtained his flame powers, Sabo was an incredibly powerful combatant. His distinctive martial arts style, Ryusoken (Dragon Claw Fist) is characterized by gripping and crushing his enemies with monstrous strength. It gives him the firepower to blow weapons and armor off foes, as well as take down colossal enemies with ease.
This potent technique is stacked atop Armament Haki, a form of invisible armor that empowers attack and defense.
3. Advanced Haki use: Observation and Armament
Like most characters in One Piece, Sabo is proficient in both Observation and Armament Haki.
Armament Haki hardens his body and blows, enabling him to damage even Logia-type foes.
Observation Haki enhances his senses, allowing him to see a few seconds into the future and sniff out foes miles away.
As far as we know, Sabo doesn't have access to Conqueror's Haki, which is a legendary power granted only to the most elite fighters on the level of Luffy, Shanks, and Kaido.
Sabo's biggest fights and power feats
Sabo has already held his own against some of the fiercest foes in the One Piece universe:
Defeated Vice Admiral Bastille's defeat in one blow with his Ryusoken technique.
Crushed Jesus Burgess (Blackbeard's commander) after mastering the Mera Mera no Mi, or Flame Flame Fruit.
Fought against Admiral Fujitora in the Dressrosa Arc—and stalemated him.
Falsely accused of the assassination of King Cobra, a murder perpetrated off screen by the shadowy Imu and the Five Elders, garnered him a ticket to the guillotine.
These accomplishments prove Sabo's strength is on par with a Yonko Commander or at least near a Marine Admiral, ranking him among the series' most powerful characters.
Why is Sabo called the Flame Emperor?
Sabo is known as the Flame Emperor due to his powerful abilities and his strong connection to the revolutionary cause. His nickname reflects his mastery over fire, which he gained after consuming the Mera Mera no Mi, a Logia-type Devil Fruit. This transformation not only enhanced his combat skills but also solidified his status as a key figure in the fight against oppression. Sabo's dedication to the ideals of freedom and justice further contributes to his reputation, inspiring others to join the revolution.
Sabo received the moniker Flame Emperor after the Lovely incident, in which he freed a number of slaves, but was framed for assassinating a king. To millions around the globe, he was a beacon of rebelliousness and righteousness, hailing him as a heroic liberator, taking on rough-and-tumble dictatorship.
His fame and influence has reached such heights that even the World Government now considers him a significant threat on the same level as Luffy, Blackbeard, and other future kings of the sea.
Is Sabo stronger than Ace?
This is no easy question. While Ace understandably was awesomely powerful and able to wield all three forms of Haki, Sabo has had more years of training, given his martial arts expertise, and rapidly tempered himself to the spiritual aspects of the Mera Mera no Mi. Most fans would tell you that Sabo—currently—is more powerful than Ace was at the moment of his execution.
Sabo's role saked for so long in One Piece, but he's suddenly one of the most integral characters to the final saga's closing chapters.
As Dragon's second-in-command, a symbol of revolution, and Luffy's brother, Sabo's role in the coming war against the World Government will only get bigger and overshadowing. Whether he's battling an Admiral, Imu, or even going up against Blackbeard, major developments are sure to come with Sabo's continued presence as the Final Saga kicks into high gear.
Sabo is one of the strongest heroes in One Piece
Sabo is no longer just Luffy's long lost brother or Ace's retcon replacement. He's turned into a legend of his own. From fire powers to martial arts to advanced haki, he's one of the most powerful combatants in One Piece and a crucial player in the fight to determine the world's future.