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The saying 'The past is written by the victors' is a central theme that One Piece author Eiichiro Oda has for some time integrated into the narrative. Popular tales frequently do not convey the complete reality, even for the most influential characters in this world's complex past. Kozuki Oden wasn't a foolish performer dancing through the roads of Wano Country; he acted out of honor and conviction. Bartholomew Kuma was not a ruthless villain who tore apart the Straw Hat Pirates, either; he was helping them. Likewise, Davy Jones meant beyond just a buccaneer's game in pursuit of flags and followers.

In installment #1164 of the manga, we witness the culmination of this idea. The entire God Valley narrative acts as a cautionary tale, instructing audiences not to judge the characters too hastily.

Legends often do not capture the full reality, even for the most powerful figures.

The series's latest flashback, chronicling the God Valley incident, stands as one of the story's best storylines to date. Apart from the excitement of witnessing icons in their peak, it's compelling to see them prior to when they became icons — when their fame had still not outgrow their human nature. History, as recorded by the World Government and retold through secondhand tales, painted our understanding of figures like Gol D. Roger, Rocks D. Xebec, and even Monkey D. Garp. But both the government's accounts and the stories of those who knew them prove unreliable, revealing only fragments of who these men really were.

The Man Prior to the Myth

The future Pirate King may have been guided by purpose and the daring spirit that sparked a fresh era of buccaneering, but before he became the King of the Pirates, he was a young man governed by passion and wanderlust. When individuals discuss his myth, they usually mean his later journey, the epic quest in pursuit of the Road Poneglyphs that lead to Laugh Tale. Yet little is understood about his initial travels, the one that molded him before fame discovered him.

At that time, Gol D. Roger was largely unaware of the world's hidden past. His affection for the barkeep guided him to God Valley, where he discovered the Global Authority's darkest truths: the extermination "contests," the monstrous forms of the Gorosei, and including the presence of the world's hidden sovereign, the mysterious leader. We are yet to witness Gol D. Roger's reflections about everything happening in God Valley, but perhaps finding the child of a Holy Knight on his vessel will make him realize his place in the globe and seek the reality he caught a glimpse of from Rocks D. Xebec's situation.

The Truth About The Infamous Captain

Prior to this recollection, what we knew of Rocks D. Xebec came mostly from Sengoku's version, both to the viewers and to new Navy recruits. He painted Xebec as a despicable, power-hungry man determined to achieve world domination, someone so threatening that Gol D. Roger and Monkey D. Garp had to join forces to overcome him. But as it transpires, the strategist wasn't even present at God Valley; he was merely echoing the World Government's approved version of events, the very narrative Imu authorized to bury the reality about Rocks D. Xebec and the event itself.

In truth, The captain, whose true name was Davy D. Xebec, was a principled man who aimed to overthrow Imu and dismantle the decadent World Government. We don't know if he was motivated by lust for power, revenge for his clan, or a desire for justice, but when he found out the government's scheme to eliminate the island where his kin resided, he gave up his dreams of domination to rescue them.

This love for his relatives proved to be his undoing. After confronting Imu, he lost his will and liberty, turning into a marionette enslaved to their authority. Now, with what little consciousness is left, he begs with Roger and Monkey D. Garp to end his life — thinking that death would be a kindness in contrast to the torment he endures. The truth of Rocks D. Xebec is thus far from the tale narrated by the former Fleet Admiral, and the comic presents him in a favorable manner during the Divine Isle incidents.

Is He Still Alive Today?

But did Rocks actually meet his end? An intriguing idea is that he is still a servant to Imu in the current timeline, acting as the scarred individual, keeping the Global Authority's last ancient stone in continuous transit to prevent the One Piece from being discovered.

Garp's Hidden Rebellion

Another key figure of the Divine Isle incident is Garp, who has endured criticism from fans for years for standing by as Akainu killed Ace. That sentiment became even more intense after the timeskip, when he risked everything to rescue Koby at Hachinosu, causing many to question why he couldn't do the same for his biological grandchild. Comparable questions have recently reemerged with the Divine Isle flashback: how can Garp serve the Navy, aware the Global Authority treats genocide and enslavement as entertainment for the elite?

The truth reveals something distinct. The moment Garp witnessed the Elders' monstrous forms, he struck immediately. His alliance with Gol D. Roger wasn't to defeat some evil Xebec, but a courageous act of defiance, an effort to stop Imu, who was using Xebec as a pawn to eliminate everyone in God Valley, including apparently, including the Celestial Dragons themselves. This incident is probably the reason Monkey D. Garp despises the Celestial Dragons in the present day and why he not once desired to be promoted to Fleet Admiral, answering straight to them.

The Past's Untrustworthy Narrators

Even though the audience are seeing the Divine Isle incident through a recollection recounted by Loki, including viewpoints and events he obviously wasn't present for, I think we can treat this version as completely truthful. The series may provide an explanation later, perhaps linked to the giant's yet unknown paramecia ability. Still, the Divine Isle event perfectly embodies the idea that history is recorded by the victors. This attitude is {