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The adage 'The past is written by the victors' is a key motif that One Piece author Eiichiro Oda has long integrated into the story. Legends frequently do not capture the full reality, even for the most powerful characters in this world's complex past. Oden was no silly performer dancing through the roads of Wano; he behaved out of duty and conviction. Kuma was not a ruthless villain who separated the Straw Hats, as well; he was doing them a favor. Similarly, the Davy Jones legend signified more than a buccaneer's game in pursuit of flags and crews.

In chapter #1164 of the manga, we see the peak of this theme. The entire Divine Isle narrative serves as a cautionary tale, instructing audiences not to judge the individuals too hastily.

Legends frequently do not convey the complete truth, including the most influential characters.

The series's latest flashback, detailing the God Valley event, represents one of the series' best storylines to now. Beyond the excitement of seeing legends in their peak, it's compelling to see them prior to when they turned into symbols — when their fame had yet to surpass their humanity. The past, as written by the World Government and recounted through secondhand tales, painted our understanding of figures like Roger, Xebec, and even Monkey D. Garp. But both the regime's records and the stories of those who knew them turn out to be unreliable, revealing only pieces of who these men truly were.

The Man Before the Myth

Gol D. Roger may have been driven by mission and the bold spirit that ignited a fresh era of buccaneering, but before he was known as the Pirate King, he was a young man ruled by passion and the desire to explore. When people speak of his legend, they usually mean his later journey, the grand expedition in search of the Road Poneglyphs that lead to the final island. However little is understood about his first journey, the one that molded him before fame found him.

Back then, Roger was largely unaware of the globe's hidden history. His affection for Shakky led him to the Divine Isle, where he uncovered the World Government's most sinister truths: the extermination "games," the grotesque appearances of the Gorosei, and even the presence of the world's hidden ruler, Imu. We haven't seen Gol D. Roger's reflections about everything happening in God Valley, but maybe finding the son of a Holy Knight on his ship will make him realize his place in the globe and pursue the truth he caught a glimpse of from Xebec's predicament.

The Reality About Rocks D. Xebec

Prior to this recollection, what we knew of Rocks D. Xebec was derived mostly from Sengoku's version, each to the audience and to young Navy recruits. He depicted Xebec as a despicable, ambitious man bent on global control, someone so threatening that Roger and Monkey D. Garp had to join forces to overcome him. But as it turns out, Sengoku wasn't even present at God Valley; he was merely repeating the World Government's approved narrative of occurrences, the very story Imu authorized to bury the reality about Xebec and the incident itself.

In truth, Rocks D. Xebec, whose real name was Davy D. Xebec, was a principled man who aimed to topple the ruler and dismantle the corrupt World Government. We don't know if he was guided by lust for power, revenge for his family, or a desire for justice, but when he discovered the government's scheme to eliminate the land where his kin lived, he gave up his dreams of domination to rescue them.

This devotion for his family proved to be his downfall. After facing Imu, he lost his determination and freedom, turning into a puppet enslaved to their power. Currently, with what limited awareness remains, he pleads with Roger and Garp to end his life — believing that death would be a kindness in contrast to the torment he suffers. The truth of Rocks is thus far from the tale told by Sengoku, and the manga presents him in a favorable light during the God Valley incidents.

Could He Be Still Alive Today?

But did Rocks really die? An intriguing idea is that he is even now a servant to Imu in the present day, acting as the scarred individual, keeping the World Government's only remaining Poneglyph in constant transit to prevent the One Piece from being found.

The Hero's Secret Rebellion

A further protagonist of the God Valley event is Garp, who has faced criticism from fans for years for standing by as Akainu killed Portgas D. Ace. That feeling only grew stronger after the time jump, when he risked all to rescue the young Marine at Pirate Island, causing many to wonder why he was unable to do the same for his own grandchild. Similar questions have recently reemerged with the Divine Isle recollection: how could Garp work for the Marines, knowing the Global Authority considers genocide and enslavement as sport for the upper class?

The reality reveals something distinct. The instant Garp witnessed the Elders' monstrous shapes, he struck without hesitation. His partnership with Gol D. Roger was not meant to defeat some villainous Xebec, but a bold act of defiance, an effort to stop the sovereign, who was using Xebec as a tool to eliminate all in the Divine Isle, even it seems, even the World Nobles themselves. This event is probably the reason Monkey D. Garp despises the Celestial Dragons in the present day and why he never wanted to be promoted to Admiral, reporting directly to them.

The Past's Unreliable Storytellers

Even though the audience are seeing the Divine Isle event through a flashback recounted by Loki, including perspectives and occurrences he clearly wasn't present for, I believe we can consider this version as completely accurate. The manga may provide an explanation in the future, maybe connected to Loki's still mysterious Devil Fruit. Nevertheless, the God Valley incident perfectly embodies the notion that history is recorded by the winners. This attitude is {