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The saying 'History is written by the winners' serves as a central motif that One Piece author Eiichiro Oda has for some time woven into the story. Popular tales often do not convey the full truth, even for the most influential figures in this world's complex history. Kozuki Oden wasn't a silly performer prancing through the streets of Wano; he behaved out of duty and conviction. Kuma was not a merciless antagonist who separated the Straw Hats, either; he was helping them. Likewise, Davy Jones signified beyond just a buccaneer's game in search of flags and followers.

In installment #1164 of the manga, we see the peak of this idea. The entire God Valley narrative acts as a cautionary tale, advising audiences not to judge the individuals too quickly.

Legends frequently fail to capture the complete reality, including the most influential figures.

The series's most recent look back, detailing the Divine Isle incident, stands as one of the series' finest arcs to now. Beyond the excitement of witnessing legends in their prime, it's gripping to observe them before they became symbols — when their reputation had yet to outgrow their humanity. History, as recorded by the World Government and recounted through hearsay stories, painted our perception of figures like Roger, Rocks D. Xebec, and including Monkey D. Garp. But both the regime's records and the narratives of those who were acquainted with them turn out to be unreliable, revealing only pieces of who these individuals truly were.

The Man Before the Myth

Gol D. Roger may have been driven by mission and the daring spirit that ignited a new age of buccaneering, but prior to he was known as the King of the Pirates, he was a young man governed by emotion and the desire to explore. When people discuss his myth, they typically refer to his later journey, the grand expedition in pursuit of the Road Poneglyphs that lead to the final island. However not much is understood about his first journey, the one that molded him prior to glory discovered him.

Back then, Gol D. Roger was largely unaware of the globe's hidden history. His affection for the barkeep guided him to the Divine Isle, where he uncovered the Global Authority's darkest truths: the genocidal "contests," the monstrous forms of the Five Elders, and including the existence of the planet's unseen ruler, the mysterious leader. We haven't seen Roger's reflections about everything occurring in the Divine Isle, but maybe discovering the son of a Holy Knight on his ship will make him realize his place in the globe and pursue the truth he glimpsed from Xebec's situation.

The Reality About Rocks D. Xebec

Prior to this flashback, what we were aware of of Xebec came mostly from Sengoku's account, both to the audience and to young Marines. He depicted Rocks D. Xebec as a vile, power-hungry man bent on global control, someone so threatening that Roger and Garp had to join forces to defeat him. But as it transpires, the strategist was not present at God Valley; he was merely echoing the World Government's sanctioned version of events, the exact narrative Imu authorized to conceal the reality about Xebec and the incident itself.

In truth, Rocks D. Xebec, whose true name was Davy D. Xebec, was a ethical man who sought to topple the ruler and dismantle the decadent World Government. We are unsure if he was motivated by lust for power, revenge for his clan, or a wish for fairness, but when he found out the government's scheme to annihilate the island where his family lived, he abandoned his ambitions of conquest to save them.

This love for his relatives became his undoing. After confronting Imu, he lost his determination and freedom, becoming a puppet enslaved to their authority. Now, with what little awareness is left, he begs with Gol D. Roger and Monkey D. Garp to kill him — thinking that dying would be a kindness compared to the living hell he suffers. The truth of Rocks is thus very different from the tale told by Sengoku, and the manga presents him in a positive light during the Divine Isle incidents.

Is He Living Today?

But did Rocks really die? An interesting idea is that he is still a slave to the ruler in the present day, serving as The Man Marked By Flames, keeping the World Government's last ancient stone in continuous movement to keep the One Piece from being discovered.

Garp's Hidden Rebellion

Another key figure of the Divine Isle incident is Garp, who has endured backlash from fans for years for standing by as Admiral Akainu murdered Ace. That sentiment only grew more intense after the timeskip, when he risked all to rescue the young Marine at Hachinosu, causing many to question why he couldn't do the same for his own grandchild. Similar questions have now resurfaced with the God Valley recollection: how can Garp serve the Navy, knowing the Global Authority treats mass murder and enslavement as sport for the upper class?

The truth reveals something distinct. The moment Garp witnessed the Gorosei's grotesque forms, he struck without hesitation. His alliance with Roger was not meant to defeat some evil Xebec, but a courageous act of rebellion, an attempt to halt Imu, who was using Xebec as a tool to wipe out everyone in the Divine Isle, even it seems, even the Celestial Dragons themselves. This incident is probably the cause Garp detests the Celestial Dragons in the present day and why he not once desired to be promoted to Admiral, reporting straight to them.

The Past's Untrustworthy Narrators

Even though the audience are seeing the God Valley incident through a flashback narrated by Loki, covering perspectives and occurrences he obviously was absent for, I believe we can treat this account as completely truthful. The manga may provide an reason later, maybe connected to the giant's still mysterious paramecia ability. Still, the God Valley incident excellently embodies the idea that history is recorded by the winners. This attitude is {