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The adage 'The past is written by the winners' serves as a central theme that Eiichiro Oda's epic author Eiichiro Oda has long woven into the narrative. Legends frequently do not capture the full truth, even for the most powerful figures in this world's complex history. Oden wasn't a silly showman dancing through the streets of Wano Country; he behaved out of honor and principle. Bartholomew Kuma was not a ruthless villain who tore apart the Straw Hats, either; he was doing them a favor. Similarly, the Davy Jones legend signified more than a pirate's contest in search of flags and crews.

In installment #1164 of the manga, we witness the culmination of this idea. The whole Divine Isle story acts as a cautionary tale, advising audiences not to judge the characters too quickly.

Myths often fail to capture the complete truth, including the most powerful figures.

One Piece's latest flashback, chronicling the God Valley event, represents one of the series' finest storylines to date. Beyond the excitement of witnessing legends in their prime, it's compelling to observe them prior to when they became symbols — when their reputation had still not outgrow their humanity. The past, as written by the World Government and recounted through secondhand tales, shaped our perception of figures like Roger, Xebec, and even Monkey D. Garp. But each of the government's records and the narratives of those who knew them prove untrustworthy, revealing only pieces of who these men really were.

The Man Before the Myth

The future Pirate King may have been driven by purpose and the bold attitude that sparked a fresh era of buccaneering, but before he was known as the King of the Pirates, he was a young man governed by emotion and the desire to explore. When people speak of his legend, they typically mean his second voyage, the grand expedition in pursuit of the guide stones that lead to the final island. Yet not much is understood about his first journey, the one that shaped him prior to glory discovered him.

Back then, Gol D. Roger knew little of the globe's hidden history. His affection for the barkeep led him to God Valley, where he discovered the World Government's darkest truths: the genocidal "games," the monstrous appearances of the Five Elders, and even the existence of the planet's unseen ruler, Imu. We are yet to witness Roger's thoughts about all that's happening in the Divine Isle, but perhaps finding the child of a Holy Knight on his vessel will make him realize his place in the world and seek the reality he glimpsed from Xebec's predicament.

The Truth About Rocks D. Xebec

Prior to this recollection, what we were aware of of Xebec was derived almost entirely from Sengoku's version, both to the viewers and to new Marines. He depicted Rocks D. Xebec as a despicable, ambitious man determined to achieve global control, someone so dangerous that Roger and Monkey D. Garp had to join forces to defeat him. But as it turns out, the strategist wasn't even present at God Valley; he was only repeating the Global Authority's approved version of occurrences, the very story Imu approved to conceal the reality about Rocks D. Xebec and the incident itself.

In truth, Rocks D. Xebec, whose real name was Davy D. Xebec, was a ethical man who aimed to topple Imu and dismantle the corrupt World Government. We don't know if he was motivated by lust for power, revenge for his family, or a desire for fairness, but when he found out the regime's plan to annihilate the island where his family lived, he abandoned his ambitions of conquest to rescue them.

This love for his relatives became his downfall. After facing the sovereign, he lost his determination and freedom, becoming a marionette enslaved to their power. Now, with what limited awareness is left, he begs with Gol D. Roger and Garp to kill him — believing that dying would be a mercy in contrast to the living hell he suffers. The truth of Rocks D. Xebec is thus far from the tale narrated by Sengoku, and the comic presents him in a favorable light during the God Valley incidents.

Could He Be Still Alive Today?

But did Rocks actually die? An interesting idea is that he is even now a servant to Imu in the current timeline, acting as the scarred individual, maintaining the Global Authority's last Poneglyph in continuous transit to keep the ultimate treasure from being found.

The Hero's Hidden Defiance

A further key figure of the God Valley event is Monkey D. Garp, who has endured criticism from fans for years for doing nothing as Akainu murdered Portgas D. Ace. That sentiment only grew stronger after the time jump, when he risked all to rescue the young Marine at Hachinosu, causing many to wonder why he couldn't do the identical for his biological grandson. Comparable questions have now reemerged with the God Valley recollection: how can Garp work for the Marines, knowing the World Government treats genocide and enslavement as sport for the upper class?

The truth reveals something distinct. The moment Garp saw the Gorosei's monstrous shapes, he struck without hesitation. His partnership with Roger was not meant to vanquish some villainous Xebec, but a bold act of rebellion, an effort to halt the sovereign, who was manipulating Rocks D. Xebec as a tool to wipe out all in God Valley, including it seems, including the Celestial Dragons themselves. This incident is probably the reason Monkey D. Garp despises the World Nobles in the present day and why he never wanted to be promoted to Admiral, reporting straight to them.

The Past's Untrustworthy Storytellers

Although the audience are viewing the Divine Isle event through a flashback narrated by Loki, covering perspectives and events he obviously wasn't present for, I think we can consider this account as completely truthful. The series may offer an explanation in the future, perhaps linked to the giant's still mysterious paramecia ability. Still, the Divine Isle event excellently exemplifies the notion that history is recorded by the winners. This mindset is {