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The saying 'History is written by the victors' is a central theme that Eiichiro Oda's epic creator Eiichiro Oda has for some time integrated into the narrative. Legends often fail to capture the full truth, including the most influential figures in this story's intricate past. Oden wasn't a foolish performer dancing through the roads of Wano; he acted out of duty and conviction. Bartholomew Kuma was not a ruthless villain who separated the Straw Hat Pirates, either; he was doing them a favor. Similarly, Davy Jones signified beyond just a buccaneer's game in search of flags and followers.

In installment #1164 of the manga, we see the peak of this theme. The whole God Valley narrative serves as a cautionary tale, advising readers not to judge the individuals too quickly.

Myths often fail to capture the full reality, including the most powerful figures.

The series's latest flashback, detailing the God Valley event, stands as one of the series' best arcs to date. Apart from the excitement of seeing legends in their peak, it's gripping to see them prior to when they turned into symbols — when their reputation had still not surpass their human nature. History, as recorded by the World Government and recounted through secondhand stories, shaped our understanding of figures like Gol D. Roger, Xebec, and including Garp. But each of the regime's records and the narratives of those who were acquainted with them turn out to be unreliable, showing only pieces of who these individuals truly were.

The Individual Prior to the Legend

The future Pirate King may have been guided by mission and the daring attitude that sparked a fresh era of buccaneering, but prior to he was known as the Pirate King, he was a youth governed by passion and the desire to explore. When individuals speak of his legend, they typically mean his second voyage, the grand expedition in search of the guide stones that lead to the final island. However little is known about his initial travels, the one that shaped him before fame discovered him.

Back then, Roger was largely unaware of the world's hidden history. His affection for Shakky led him to the Divine Isle, where he discovered the World Government's darkest truths: the extermination "contests," the monstrous forms of the Five Elders, and even the existence of the world's unseen ruler, the mysterious leader. We haven't seen Gol D. Roger's thoughts about all that's happening in God Valley, but maybe discovering the child of a Holy Knight on his vessel will make him realize his place in the world and pursue the reality he glimpsed from Rocks D. Xebec's predicament.

The Reality About Rocks D. Xebec

Before this flashback, what we knew of Rocks D. Xebec was derived almost entirely from the former Fleet Admiral's account, each to the audience and to young Navy recruits. He painted Xebec as a despicable, ambitious man determined to achieve world domination, someone so threatening that Roger and Monkey D. Garp had to team up to defeat him. But as it turns out, Sengoku was not there at the Divine Isle; he was only repeating the World Government's sanctioned version of events, the very narrative the sovereign authorized to bury the reality about Rocks D. Xebec and the incident itself.

In truth, The captain, whose true name was Davy D. Xebec, was a ethical man who sought to topple Imu and dismantle the decadent World Government. We are unsure if he was motivated by lust for power, revenge for his family, or a wish 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 save them.

This love for his relatives became his downfall. After facing Imu, he lost his will and liberty, turning into a marionette enslaved to their power. Now, with what limited awareness is left, he pleads with Gol D. Roger and Garp to end his life — believing that death would be a mercy in contrast to the living hell he endures. The truth of Rocks is thus very different from the tale narrated by the former Fleet Admiral, and the comic shows him in a positive manner during the Divine Isle incidents.

Could He Be Still Alive Today?

But did Rocks really die? An intriguing idea is that he is still a servant to Imu in the present day, acting as The Man Marked By Flames, maintaining the Global Authority's only remaining ancient stone in continuous transit to prevent the One Piece from being discovered.

The Hero's Hidden Rebellion

Another key figure of the God Valley event is Monkey D. Garp, who has endured backlash from followers for years for standing by as Akainu killed Portgas D. Ace. That sentiment became even more intense after the time jump, when he risked all to save Koby at Pirate Island, causing many to question why he couldn't do the identical for his biological grandson. Similar doubts have recently resurfaced with the Divine Isle recollection: how could Monkey D. Garp serve the Marines, knowing the Global Authority considers mass murder and slavery as sport for the upper class?

The truth uncovers something distinct. The moment Monkey D. Garp saw the Gorosei's monstrous shapes, he struck immediately. His alliance with Roger wasn't to vanquish some evil Xebec, but a courageous act of rebellion, an effort to halt the sovereign, who was using Rocks D. Xebec as a tool to eliminate everyone in God Valley, including apparently, even the World Nobles themselves. This event is likely the cause Monkey D. Garp detests the Celestial Dragons in the current era and why he not once desired to be promoted to Fleet Admiral, reporting directly to them.

The Past's Untrustworthy Storytellers

Even though the audience are seeing the Divine Isle incident through a recollection recounted by Loki, covering viewpoints and occurrences he obviously was absent for, I believe we can treat this version as entirely truthful. The series may provide an reason in the future, maybe linked to the giant's still mysterious paramecia ability. Nevertheless, the God Valley event perfectly embodies the notion that history is recorded by the victors. This mindset is {