The mystery of what happened to Sabo began when we learned that he and other members of the Revolutionary Army were infiltrating Mariejois during the Reverie.
Previously, we had learned that the Revolutionary Army intended to use the Reverie as the moment that they would declare open revolution against the Celestial Dragons.
In preparation for this, Dragon had already summoned the commanders to gather, we saw them on their way to the meeting I mentioned above, just before the Reverie began.
It seems that before they made the declaration, Dragon also wanted to recover Kuma.
This is where things began to go wrong for them, Sabo had already become very angry when he saw that Kuma has become a slave to the Celestial Dragons.
The next thing we know, the Reverie has reportedly ended and the consequences had began to shake the world. We learn from Blackbeard of the news that the Revolutionaries had ended up clashing with two of the Admirals, Fujitora and Greenbull!
Very soon after this, in the next interval of Wano, we learned more of this news and it's this that suggests something shocking happened to Sabo as a result of these events.
The three things that are making the front page(s) are -
1. A murder at the Reverie
2. The decision to abolish the Warlords
3. A separate assassination attempt.
It seems that either 1 or 3 relate to what has happened to Sabo. We see multiple people reacting to this news.
The truth of what happened is left intentionally vague, but it's actually here that perhaps the anime gives more clues than the manga. In the manga, we only see a few panels of reactions, but in the anime. There is a whole scene focusing on the reactions of the people of Alabasta
Whatever the news is, the people of Alabasta are devastated by it. This connects back to what Garp said, when he was escorting Neptune & co back to the Ryugu Kingdom.
Previously, we saw that the Gorosei had approached Imu, whilst they were on their way there, it's worth remembering that they were discussing the Nefertari family. Cobra had requested an audience with them. They remind each other that the Nefertari are to be regarded as traitors.
Immediately after this, we see Imu in a room called The Room of Flowers. In this room, we can see that there are three portraits on the ground, all ripped to shreds, one with a sword in it. Luffy, Blackbeard & Shirahoshi. Then we see that Imu is holding a 4th portrait, Vivi's.
Cobra had stated before that he intended to ask the Gorosei the truth about the Poneglyphs. Unfortunately, we know what happened to the last man who asked them that question.
He was killed by Cipher Pol.
The person who was murdered was Cobra of Alabasta! The Gorosei ordered CP0 to assassinate him.
The true culprit was most likely Rob Lucci
However, it doesn't stop there. Not only did they order the assassination of Cobra, they also ordered the capture of Vivi.
However, Vivi is a princess, if she went missing, it would be noticed. How do they cover this up?
Fake an assassination attempt.
If they had the cover of Vivi narrowly surviving an assassination attempt, no one would question that she had not yet returned home. Especially not if the papers also carry news of the death of their king.
This would explain why the people of Alabasta are so devastated.
The truth is that by order of Imu, Cobra was assassinated by CP0 and Vivi was captured, an attempt on her life faked as cover.
I order to shift the blame. They framed the recently defeated and captured Sabo for both incidents!
This is most likely what happened to Sabo and as a result, he is likely currently in captivity alongside, Vivi.
I believe that Imu intents to interrogate them both.
Vivi is from one of the 20 original families of the WG
Sabo is also a noble and the 2nd in command of the RA.
This interrogation scene will most likely include the subject of Pluton and the Imu's intention to seize it.
The Great Cleansing begins at Alabasta.
The questions Imu will have for Sabo, will probably focus on getting information of Dragon's plans from him.
Here we may learn the truth of Dragon's motivations!
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