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The saying 'The past is written by the victors' serves as a key motif that One Piece author Eiichiro Oda has for some time woven into the story. Legends frequently fail to convey the full reality, even for the most influential figures in this world's complex history. Kozuki Oden was no silly showman dancing through the streets of Wano Country; he behaved out of duty and principle. Kuma was not a ruthless villain who tore apart the Straw Hats, as well; he was doing them a favor. Similarly, Davy Jones meant beyond just a buccaneer's game in search of emblems and crews.

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

Legends frequently do not convey the full reality, including the most powerful characters.

The series's latest flashback, detailing the God Valley event, represents one of the story's best arcs to date. Beyond the excitement of seeing icons in their prime, it's gripping to see them before they became symbols — when their fame had yet to surpass their human nature. History, as recorded by the Global Authority and retold through hearsay stories, painted our perception of figures like Gol D. Roger, Rocks D. Xebec, and including Garp. But each of the government's accounts and the narratives of those who were acquainted with them turn out to be untrustworthy, showing only pieces of who these individuals truly were.

The Man Prior to the Myth

Gol D. Roger may have been driven by purpose and the daring attitude that ignited a new age of buccaneering, but before he was known as the Pirate King, he was a youth ruled by passion and wanderlust. When people speak of his legend, they typically refer to his second voyage, the epic expedition in pursuit of the guide stones that lead to the final island. However little is known about his initial travels, the one that shaped him prior to fame found him.

At that time, Roger was largely unaware of the world's secret past. His love for the barkeep guided him to the Divine Isle, where he discovered the World Government's darkest realities: the genocidal "contests," the monstrous appearances of the Gorosei, and including the presence of the planet's hidden ruler, the mysterious leader. We are yet to witness Gol D. Roger's thoughts about everything happening in God Valley, but maybe discovering the child of a Holy Knight on his ship will lead him to understand his role in the world and pursue the reality he caught a glimpse of from Xebec's predicament.

The Reality About The Infamous Captain

Prior to this recollection, what we knew of Rocks D. Xebec came mostly from the former Fleet Admiral's version, each to the audience and to new Marines. He depicted Rocks D. Xebec as a despicable, ambitious man bent on world domination, someone so dangerous that Gol D. Roger and Monkey D. Garp had to team up to overcome him. But as it transpires, the strategist wasn't even present at the Divine Isle; he was only repeating the Global Authority's approved narrative of occurrences, the exact narrative the sovereign approved to bury the truth about Xebec and the event itself.

In truth, Rocks D. Xebec, whose true name was Davy D. Xebec, was a ethical man who aimed to topple the ruler and dismantle the decadent World Government. We are unsure if he was motivated by ambition, retribution for his family, or a wish for justice, but when he discovered the regime's scheme to annihilate the island where his kin resided, he abandoned his ambitions of conquest to rescue them.

This devotion for his relatives proved to be his downfall. After facing Imu, he lost his determination and liberty, becoming a puppet controlled to their authority. Currently, with what limited awareness remains, he begs with Gol D. Roger and Garp to kill him — believing that dying would be a mercy in contrast to the torment he suffers. The reality of Rocks D. Xebec is thus far from the tale told by Sengoku, and the manga shows him in a favorable light during the God Valley events.

Could He Be Still Alive Today?

But did Rocks actually meet his end? An intriguing theory is that he is even now a servant to the ruler in the current timeline, serving as the scarred individual, maintaining the World Government's only remaining ancient stone in continuous movement to keep the One Piece from being found.

The Hero's Hidden Rebellion

Another key figure of the Divine Isle event is Garp, who has faced backlash from followers for a long time for standing by as Admiral Akainu killed Ace. That sentiment became even stronger after the timeskip, when he risked everything to save Koby at Hachinosu, leading many to question why he was unable to do the identical for his biological grandchild. Similar questions have now resurfaced with the God Valley recollection: how could Monkey D. Garp serve the Marines, knowing the World Government treats mass murder and slavery as sport for the elite?

The truth uncovers something different. The instant Garp saw the Elders' grotesque shapes, he attacked without hesitation. His partnership with Roger wasn't to vanquish some evil Rocks D. Xebec, but a bold act of rebellion, an attempt to stop Imu, who was using Xebec as a tool to wipe out all in the Divine Isle, including apparently, even the World Nobles themselves. This incident is likely the reason Garp detests the World Nobles in the present day and why he never wanted to be elevated to Admiral, answering directly to them.

History's Untrustworthy Storytellers

Even though the audience are viewing the God Valley event through a flashback recounted by the giant, covering viewpoints and occurrences he clearly was absent for, I think we can treat this version as entirely truthful. The series may offer an explanation later, maybe linked to the giant's still mysterious paramecia ability. Nevertheless, the Divine Isle event excellently exemplifies the notion that history is written by the victors. This mindset is {