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The saying 'History is written by the winners' is a central theme that One Piece author Eiichiro Oda has for some time woven into the story. Popular tales frequently do not convey the complete truth, even for the most influential characters in this story's intricate history. Kozuki Oden was no silly showman prancing through the roads of Wano Country; he acted out of honor and principle. Bartholomew Kuma was not a ruthless villain who tore apart the Straw Hat Pirates, either; he was helping them. Similarly, the Davy Jones legend signified more than a buccaneer's game in search of flags and followers.

In installment #1164 of One Piece, we witness the culmination of this idea. The entire God Valley story serves as a warning story, advising audiences not to evaluate the individuals too quickly.

Myths frequently do not convey the full reality, even for the most powerful figures.

One Piece's most recent flashback, detailing the God Valley incident, represents one of the story's best arcs to now. Apart from the thrill of seeing legends in their prime, it's compelling to see them prior to when they turned into icons — when their fame had still not surpass their human nature. History, as recorded by the Global Authority and retold through secondhand stories, painted our understanding of figures like Gol D. Roger, Xebec, and even Monkey D. Garp. But both the regime's accounts and the narratives of those who knew them turn out to be untrustworthy, showing only pieces of who these individuals really were.

The Man Prior to the Myth

The future Pirate King may have been driven by mission and the bold attitude that sparked a fresh era of piracy, but prior to he became the King of the Pirates, he was a young man governed by emotion and wanderlust. When individuals speak of his myth, they typically refer to his second voyage, the epic quest in search of the Road Poneglyphs that lead to Laugh Tale. Yet little is understood about his first journey, the one that molded him prior to fame discovered him.

At that time, Gol D. Roger was largely unaware of the world's secret past. His love for Shakky led him to the Divine Isle, where he uncovered the Global Authority's darkest truths: the genocidal "games," the monstrous forms of the Gorosei, and including the existence of the planet's hidden ruler, Imu. We haven't seen Gol D. Roger's reflections about all that's occurring in the Divine Isle, but maybe finding the son of a Holy Knight on his ship will make him realize his place in the world and seek the truth he caught a glimpse of from Xebec's situation.

The Truth About The Infamous Captain

Before this flashback, what we knew of Rocks D. Xebec was derived mostly from Sengoku's account, both to the viewers and to new Navy recruits. He depicted Xebec as a despicable, power-hungry man bent on global control, someone so threatening that Gol D. Roger and Garp had to join forces to defeat him. But as it turns out, the strategist wasn't even there at God Valley; he was only echoing the World Government's approved version of occurrences, the exact story the sovereign authorized to bury the reality about Rocks D. Xebec and the incident itself.

In reality, Rocks D. Xebec, whose real name was Davy D. Xebec, was a principled man who sought to topple the ruler and dismantle the decadent World Government. We are unsure if he was guided by ambition, retribution for his clan, or a wish for justice, but when he discovered the government's scheme to eliminate the island where his kin resided, he gave up his dreams of conquest to save them.

This love for his relatives became his undoing. Upon facing the sovereign, he forfeited his determination and liberty, becoming a marionette controlled to their power. Currently, with what little consciousness is left, he begs with Gol D. Roger and Garp to kill him — believing that death would be a mercy in contrast to the living hell he suffers. The truth of Rocks is thus very different from the tale told by Sengoku, and the comic presents him in a favorable light during the Divine Isle incidents.

Could He Be Living Today?

But did Rocks D. Xebec actually meet his end? An interesting theory is that he is even now a slave to the ruler in the current timeline, serving as the scarred individual, keeping the World Government's only remaining ancient stone in constant transit to prevent the ultimate treasure from being discovered.

Garp's Hidden Rebellion

A further key figure of the God Valley event is Garp, who has endured backlash from followers for years for standing by as Akainu killed Portgas D. Ace. That sentiment only grew more intense after the time jump, when he risked everything to rescue Koby at Pirate Island, leading many to wonder why he couldn't do the same for his biological grandson. Similar questions have now reemerged with the Divine Isle recollection: how could Monkey D. Garp serve the Navy, knowing the Global Authority considers genocide and enslavement as sport for the upper class?

The truth uncovers something distinct. The moment Garp saw the Gorosei's monstrous forms, he struck immediately. His partnership with Gol D. Roger was not meant to vanquish some evil Xebec, but a courageous act of defiance, an attempt to stop the sovereign, who was manipulating Xebec as a tool to eliminate everyone in God Valley, including it seems, even the World Nobles themselves. This event is probably the reason Monkey D. Garp detests the Celestial Dragons in the present day and why he never desired to be elevated to Admiral, answering directly to them.

History's Unreliable Narrators

Even though the audience are viewing the Divine Isle incident through a flashback recounted by Loki, including viewpoints and occurrences he obviously was absent for, I think we can consider this account as completely accurate. The series may offer an reason later, maybe linked to the giant's still mysterious paramecia ability. Still, the God Valley event excellently exemplifies the idea that history is recorded by the victors. This attitude is {