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The saying 'History is written by the victors' serves as a key theme that One Piece creator Eiichiro Oda has long integrated into the story. Legends often do not convey the full reality, even for the most powerful figures in this story's intricate past. Kozuki Oden wasn't a silly showman dancing through the roads of Wano; he behaved out of duty and principle. Bartholomew Kuma wasn't a merciless villain who separated the Straw Hats, either; he was doing them a favor. Likewise, Davy Jones meant beyond just a buccaneer's game in pursuit of emblems and crews.

In chapter #1164 of the manga, we witness the culmination of this theme. The entire Divine Isle narrative serves as a cautionary tale, advising readers not to evaluate the characters too hastily.

Legends frequently do not convey the complete reality, including the most influential figures.

The series's latest look back, chronicling the God Valley event, stands as one of the series' best storylines to date. Apart from the thrill of witnessing icons in their prime, it's gripping to observe them prior to when they turned into icons — when their reputation had still not outgrow their humanity. History, as written by the Global Authority and retold through secondhand tales, shaped our perception of figures like Gol D. Roger, Rocks D. Xebec, and even Garp. But each of the government's records and the stories of those who knew them prove unreliable, showing only fragments of who these individuals truly were.

The Man Before the Myth

Gol D. Roger may have been guided by purpose and the bold attitude that sparked a fresh era of piracy, but before he was known as the King of the Pirates, he was a youth governed by emotion and wanderlust. When individuals speak of his myth, they typically mean his second voyage, the grand expedition in pursuit of the Road Poneglyphs that point toward Laugh Tale. Yet little is understood about his initial travels, the one that molded him before glory discovered him.

At that time, Roger knew little of the globe's secret past. His love for Shakky guided him to God Valley, where he discovered the Global Authority's darkest truths: the genocidal "games," the monstrous appearances of the Five Elders, and even the existence of the planet's hidden ruler, the mysterious leader. We haven't seen Roger's thoughts about everything occurring in God Valley, but maybe discovering the son of a Holy Knight on his vessel will lead him to understand his role in the globe and pursue the reality he caught a glimpse of from Rocks D. Xebec's situation.

The Reality About The Infamous Captain

Prior to this recollection, what we were aware of of Rocks D. Xebec came mostly from the former Fleet Admiral's version, each to the viewers and to new Navy recruits. He depicted Xebec as a vile, power-hungry man bent on global control, someone so dangerous that Gol D. Roger and Garp had to team up to overcome him. But as it transpires, the strategist wasn't even there at the Divine Isle; he was only repeating the World Government's approved narrative of occurrences, the very story Imu approved to bury the truth about Xebec and the event itself.

In reality, The captain, whose real name was Davy D. Xebec, was a ethical man who sought to overthrow Imu and dismantle the corrupt World Government. We don't know if he was motivated by ambition, revenge for his clan, or a wish for justice, but when he discovered the regime's scheme to annihilate the land where his kin resided, he gave up his dreams of conquest to rescue them.

This love for his family proved to be his undoing. Upon confronting the sovereign, he lost his will and liberty, becoming a marionette controlled to their authority. Now, with what little consciousness is left, he begs with Gol D. Roger and Garp to end his life — believing that death would be a kindness compared to the torment he suffers. The reality of Rocks is thus far from the story narrated by Sengoku, and the comic presents him in a favorable manner during the Divine Isle incidents.

Is He Still Alive Today?

But was Rocks D. Xebec really die? An intriguing idea is that he is even now a slave to the ruler in the current timeline, serving as The Man Marked By Flames, keeping the Global Authority's last ancient stone in continuous transit to prevent the ultimate treasure from being discovered.

Garp's Hidden Rebellion

Another protagonist of the God Valley event is Garp, who has endured backlash from fans for years for standing by as Admiral Akainu killed Portgas D. Ace. That feeling became even more intense after the time jump, when he endangered all to rescue Koby at Pirate Island, leading many to question why he was unable to do the identical for his biological grandson. Comparable questions have now reemerged with the God Valley recollection: how could Monkey D. Garp work for the Navy, knowing the World Government treats mass murder and slavery as sport for the upper class?

The truth uncovers something distinct. The instant Monkey D. Garp saw the Elders' grotesque shapes, he struck without hesitation. His alliance with Gol D. Roger was not meant to defeat some evil Xebec, but a bold act of defiance, an effort to stop Imu, who was using Rocks D. Xebec as a pawn to wipe out all in the Divine Isle, including it seems, including the Celestial Dragons themselves. This event is likely the cause Monkey D. Garp despises the Celestial Dragons in the current era and why he never desired to be elevated to Admiral, reporting straight to them.

History's Unreliable Narrators

Although the audience are seeing the God Valley incident through a recollection narrated by the giant, including perspectives and events he obviously was absent for, I believe we can consider this account as entirely accurate. The series may provide an reason in the future, perhaps linked to the giant's still mysterious Devil Fruit. Nevertheless, the Divine Isle incident perfectly embodies the idea that the past is written by the victors. This attitude is {