User blog comment:Monkey.D.Me/WAS HE NEEDED??/@comment-1916732-20111212125418

Sabo was greatly needed to further Luffy and Ace's childhood. It showed someone that was more important Ace than Luffy. A theiving childhood friend by the name of Sabo. After making the three into brothers, it had to go further. So Oda made him a noble, but a kind-hearted one. It sucks but, alot anime people go all out when someone dies.