Chapter 588

Ignoring the townsfolk who beg him to turn back, Sabo sails on, unaware that Dadan's man Dogura is in the crowd and recognizes him. His worst fear, he reflects, is being swallowed by the country and losing himself, so he refuses to return. At that moment the government ship bearing a Celestial Dragon arrives, and as Sabo steers clear and marvels at its size, the noble aboard, Saint Jalmack, raises a hand cannon and sets the small boat ablaze.

At the bandits' hideout the healing Luffy is kept from searching for Ace and Dadan, the others noting they sent Dogura to scout. Back at the ceremony, a servant mentions a child aboard the burning boat, but Jalmack, more offended that a commoner crossed his path, fires again and sinks the vessel, presumably killing Sabo. Ace then staggers in carrying a burned but living Dadan, to everyone's joy. He recounts beating Bluejam, hiding in the riverbank, and stealing medicine to keep Dadan alive. Dadan sees in Ace the same trait as Roger, who never ran so enemies could not chase his crew, the reason Garp secretly raised the boy. When Dogura delivers the news of Sabo's fate, Ace blames himself and tries to charge off for revenge, but Dadan pins him, warning that Sabo's true enemy is the whole world and he must first grow strong enough to change it. By morning a mail bird brings Sabo's letter, in which he wishes the brothers well, vows to grow freer and stronger than any pirate, and asks Ace to look after Luffy. Reading it on their cliff, Ace weeps for his sworn brother.

The World Nobles reach Goa Kingdom, introducing Saint Jalmack, who blasts Sabo's ship. Ace and Dadan survive their fight with Bluejam, and Sabo is believed dead. The chapter reveals Ace inherited his refusal to flee from his father Roger, the same instinct that later costs him his life against Akainu, and marks the first time Ace is shown crying. The cover is a color spread of the Straw Hats holding a tea party.