Yes, the Straw Hat Pirates are fully aware of the tragic death of Portgas D. Ace. This pivotal information was relayed to them during their two-year training period following the events at Sabaody Archipelago and the Marineford War.
How the Straw Hats Learned About Ace's Fate
The knowledge of Ace's demise was critical for the Straw Hats to understand the gravity of the situation and the profound personal loss their captain, Monkey D. Luffy, had endured.
- Key Revelation: Dracule Mihawk, during a conversation with Roronoa Zoro, explicitly explained the circumstances surrounding Luffy's presence at the Marineford War.
- The Truth Revealed: Mihawk informed Zoro that "Fire Fist" Ace, Luffy's beloved older brother, had died right before Luffy's eyes during the climactic battle. This devastating event occurred at the hands of Fleet Admiral Akainu.
- Widespread Awareness: This vital piece of information was subsequently communicated to all members of the Straw Hat crew. Their collective understanding of Ace's sacrifice and its impact on Luffy became a shared burden and a powerful motivator for their individual growth and eventual reunion.
This significant revelation, which solidified the crew's resolve, took place around the time of Episode 506 of the anime, as the Straw Hats were scattered across various locations, training to overcome their weaknesses and protect their comrades.
| Character | How They Learned | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Roronoa Zoro | Directly from Dracule Mihawk | Gained insight into Luffy's profound pain; motivated intensive training for strength. |
| Other Straw Hats | Information relayed from Zoro and other trusted channels | Understood the immense loss Luffy faced; committed to becoming stronger for their captain and crew. |
The Significance of Their Knowledge
The Straw Hats' awareness of Ace's death is more than just knowing a fact; it underscores several crucial aspects of their collective journey:
- Empathy for Luffy: It allowed them to deeply empathize with Luffy's immense grief and understand the driving force behind his renewed determination to become the Pirate King. This shared sorrow forged an even deeper bond within the crew.
- Motivation for Strength: Recognizing the vulnerability Luffy experienced due to his past inability to protect those he loved, each crew member committed themselves to intense training during their two-year separation. They vowed to become strong enough to ensure such a tragedy would never befall their captain or crew again.
- Crew Cohesion: This shared understanding solidified their bond, transforming their individual pursuits of strength into a collective effort to support and protect one another, especially Luffy. Their knowledge of Ace's sacrifice served as a constant reminder of the high stakes involved in their journey.
The Straw Hats' knowledge of Ace's death is a fundamental aspect of their post-timeskip journey, shaping their resolve and their unwavering loyalty to their captain.
