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The adage 'History is written by the victors' serves as a central theme that Eiichiro Oda's epic author Eiichiro Oda has long woven into the narrative. Legends often fail to convey the complete truth, even for the most influential figures in this world's intricate past. Kozuki Oden was no silly performer prancing through the roads of Wano Country; he acted out of duty and principle. Kuma wasn't a ruthless villain who separated the Straw Hats, either; he was doing them a favor. Similarly, Davy Jones signified beyond just a pirate's game in pursuit of emblems and crews.

In installment #1164 of the manga, we see the culmination of this idea. The whole God Valley story acts as a warning story, advising audiences not to evaluate the individuals too hastily.

Legends frequently fail to capture the full truth, including the most powerful characters.

The series's most recent flashback, chronicling the God Valley event, stands as one of the series' best storylines to now. Apart from the excitement of seeing legends in their peak, it's compelling to observe them prior to when they became symbols — when their reputation had still not surpass their humanity. The past, as recorded by the Global Authority and retold through secondhand tales, shaped our understanding of individuals like Roger, Xebec, and including Garp. But both the government's accounts and the narratives of those who were acquainted with them prove unreliable, showing only pieces of who these men truly were.

The Individual Before the Myth

The future Pirate King may have been driven by mission and the daring spirit that sparked a new age of buccaneering, but prior to he was known as the King of the Pirates, he was a youth ruled by passion and the desire to explore. When people speak of his myth, they usually mean his later journey, the epic expedition in search of the Road Poneglyphs that lead to the final island. Yet not much is understood about his initial travels, the one that shaped him prior to glory discovered him.

At that time, Roger knew little of the globe's secret history. His love for the barkeep guided him to the Divine Isle, where he uncovered the World Government's darkest realities: the genocidal "games," the monstrous appearances of the Gorosei, and including the presence of the world's unseen sovereign, the mysterious leader. We are yet to witness Gol D. Roger's reflections about all that's happening in God Valley, but maybe finding the child of a Holy Knight on his vessel will make him realize his place in the globe and seek the truth he caught a glimpse of from Xebec's predicament.

The Reality About Rocks D. Xebec

Before this flashback, what we were aware of of Xebec was derived mostly from the former Fleet Admiral's version, each to the audience and to new Navy recruits. He painted Rocks D. Xebec as a vile, power-hungry man determined to achieve world domination, someone so dangerous that 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 merely repeating the Global Authority's approved version of events, the very story the sovereign approved to bury the truth about Xebec and the incident itself.

In truth, 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 family lived, he gave up his dreams of conquest to save them.

This love for his family became his downfall. After facing the sovereign, he lost his determination and freedom, becoming a puppet controlled to their authority. Now, with what limited awareness is left, he begs with Gol D. Roger and Garp to end his life — believing that dying would be a kindness compared to the living hell he endures. The reality of Rocks D. Xebec is thus far from the story narrated by the former Fleet Admiral, and the comic shows him in a positive light during the God Valley events.

Is He Living Today?

But was Rocks really meet his end? An interesting idea is that he is even now a slave to the ruler in the current timeline, serving as the scarred individual, maintaining the World Government's last ancient stone in continuous movement to keep the One Piece from being discovered.

The Hero's Secret Rebellion

Another key figure of the Divine Isle incident is Monkey D. Garp, who has endured criticism from followers for years for standing by as Akainu killed Ace. That sentiment became even stronger after the time jump, when he endangered everything to rescue the young Marine at Pirate Island, leading many to question why he couldn't do the identical for his own grandchild. Comparable doubts have now resurfaced with the Divine Isle flashback: how can Monkey D. Garp serve the Navy, knowing the World Government considers mass murder and enslavement as entertainment for the elite?

The truth uncovers something distinct. The instant Garp saw the Elders' monstrous forms, he struck without hesitation. His partnership with Gol D. Roger was not meant to defeat some villainous Xebec, but a bold act of rebellion, an attempt to halt the sovereign, who was manipulating Xebec as a pawn to wipe out all in the Divine Isle, including apparently, including the World Nobles themselves. This event is likely the cause Monkey D. Garp detests the Celestial Dragons in the current era and why he never desired to be elevated to Admiral, reporting straight to them.

History's Unreliable Narrators

Although the readers are viewing the God Valley event through a recollection recounted by the giant, including viewpoints and events he clearly wasn't present for, I believe we can consider this account as completely accurate. The manga may provide an reason in the future, perhaps connected to the giant's still mysterious Devil Fruit. Nevertheless, the God Valley event excellently exemplifies the idea that the past is recorded by the winners. This mindset is {