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The adage 'The past is written by the winners' serves as a key motif that Eiichiro Oda's epic author Eiichiro Oda has for some time woven into the story. Legends often fail to convey the complete truth, including the most powerful characters in this world's complex history. Kozuki Oden was no foolish showman dancing through the roads of Wano; he behaved out of honor and conviction. Kuma was not a merciless villain who tore apart the Straw Hat Pirates, either; he was doing them a favor. Likewise, the Davy Jones legend signified beyond just a buccaneer's contest in search of flags and crews.

In chapter #1164 of One Piece, we see the peak of this idea. The whole God Valley story acts as a warning story, instructing audiences not to evaluate the characters too quickly.

Myths often do not convey the full reality, including the most influential figures.

The series's latest look back, chronicling the Divine Isle event, stands as one of the series' finest storylines to date. Apart from the excitement of witnessing legends in their prime, it's gripping to see them prior to when they turned into symbols — when their reputation had yet to outgrow their humanity. The past, as written by the Global Authority and recounted through secondhand tales, painted our understanding of figures like Gol D. Roger, Xebec, and including Garp. But each of the regime's records and the stories of those who were acquainted with them prove unreliable, revealing only fragments of who these individuals truly were.

The Man Before the Myth

Gol D. Roger may have been guided by mission and the bold attitude that sparked a fresh era of buccaneering, but before he was known as the Pirate King, he was a youth ruled by emotion and wanderlust. When individuals speak of his legend, they usually mean his later journey, the epic expedition in search of the guide stones that lead to the final island. Yet not much is known about his initial travels, the one that molded him prior to glory discovered him.

Back then, Roger was largely unaware of the world's secret history. His love for Shakky guided him to God Valley, where he uncovered the World Government's darkest truths: the genocidal "contests," the monstrous appearances of the Gorosei, and including the presence of the world's hidden ruler, the mysterious leader. We haven't seen Roger's thoughts about everything occurring in the Divine Isle, but maybe discovering the child of a God's Knight on his vessel will make him realize his place in the world and seek 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 Xebec came mostly from the former Fleet Admiral's version, each to the audience and to new Marines. He painted Xebec as a despicable, ambitious man determined to achieve global control, someone so threatening that Roger and Monkey D. Garp had to team up to defeat him. But as it transpires, the strategist wasn't even present at God Valley; he was only echoing the Global Authority's approved version of events, the very story the sovereign authorized to conceal the reality about Xebec and the incident itself.

In reality, Rocks D. Xebec, whose true name was Davy D. Xebec, was a principled man who sought to topple Imu and dismantle the decadent Global Authority. We don't know if he was guided by lust for power, retribution for his clan, or a desire for justice, but when he discovered the regime's plan to eliminate the land where his kin lived, he abandoned his ambitions of conquest to rescue them.

This devotion for his family became his downfall. After confronting the sovereign, he lost his determination and freedom, becoming a puppet enslaved to their authority. Now, with what limited awareness is left, he pleads with Roger and Monkey D. Garp to end his life — thinking that dying would be a kindness compared to the torment he endures. The reality of Rocks is thus very different from the story narrated by Sengoku, and the comic presents him in a favorable light during the Divine Isle incidents.

Is He Living Today?

But was Rocks actually die? An intriguing theory is that he is even now a servant to the ruler in the present day, serving as the scarred individual, keeping the World Government's only remaining ancient stone in continuous movement to keep the One Piece from being found.

Garp's Secret Defiance

Another protagonist of the God Valley event is Monkey D. Garp, who has endured criticism from followers for years for standing by as Admiral Akainu killed Ace. That sentiment only grew stronger after the time jump, when he risked everything to save Koby at Hachinosu, causing many to wonder why he was unable to do the identical for his biological grandson. Similar questions have recently resurfaced with the Divine Isle flashback: how can Monkey D. Garp work for the Navy, aware the World Government considers mass murder and enslavement as entertainment for the upper class?

The truth uncovers something different. The moment Garp witnessed the Elders' monstrous forms, he attacked without hesitation. His partnership with Roger wasn't to defeat some villainous Rocks D. Xebec, but a bold act of defiance, an effort to halt Imu, who was using Xebec as a pawn to wipe out everyone in the Divine Isle, even it seems, even the Celestial Dragons themselves. This incident is likely the cause Monkey D. Garp detests the World Nobles in the present day and why he never wanted to be promoted to Admiral, answering straight to them.

The Past's Untrustworthy Storytellers

Although the audience are viewing the God Valley incident through a flashback narrated by the giant, including perspectives and events he clearly was absent for, I believe we can treat this version as entirely truthful. The manga may provide an explanation in the future, maybe connected to the giant's still mysterious paramecia ability. Nevertheless, the Divine Isle incident excellently exemplifies the notion that the past is recorded by the victors. This mindset is {