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The saying 'The past is written by the winners' is a central theme that One Piece author Eiichiro Oda has long woven into the story. Popular tales often fail to convey the complete truth, even for the most influential figures in this world's complex history. Oden was no silly performer dancing through the streets of Wano Country; he behaved out of duty and conviction. Kuma wasn't a merciless villain who separated the Straw Hat Pirates, as well; he was doing them a favor. Likewise, the Davy Jones legend signified beyond just a pirate's contest in search of flags and followers.

In chapter #1164 of One Piece, we witness the peak of this idea. The whole God Valley narrative serves as a warning story, advising audiences not to judge the individuals too hastily.

Myths often do not capture the full reality, including the most powerful characters.

One Piece's latest flashback, detailing the Divine Isle incident, represents one of the series' best storylines to now. Apart from the thrill of seeing icons in their prime, it's compelling to see them prior to when they turned into symbols — when their reputation had still not surpass their humanity. History, as recorded by the World Government and recounted through secondhand stories, shaped our understanding of individuals like Gol D. Roger, Rocks D. Xebec, and even Monkey D. Garp. But both the regime's accounts and the narratives of those who knew them prove untrustworthy, showing only pieces of who these individuals really were.

The Individual Before the Myth

The future Pirate King may have been guided by purpose and the bold attitude that sparked a new age of piracy, but prior to he became the Pirate King, he was a youth ruled by passion and wanderlust. When individuals speak of his legend, they typically mean his second voyage, the grand expedition in pursuit of the Road Poneglyphs that point toward the final island. However not much is understood about his initial travels, the one that molded him before glory found him.

Back then, Roger knew little of the globe's hidden past. His love for Shakky led him to God Valley, where he uncovered the Global Authority's most sinister truths: the genocidal "contests," the grotesque forms of the Five Elders, and including the presence of the world's unseen ruler, Imu. We haven't seen Roger's thoughts about all that's happening in the Divine Isle, but maybe discovering the son of a Holy Knight on his ship will make him realize his role in the world and pursue the reality he glimpsed from Xebec's predicament.

The Truth About Rocks D. Xebec

Before this flashback, what we were aware of of Xebec came mostly from the former Fleet Admiral's account, both to the viewers and to young Navy recruits. He depicted Rocks D. Xebec as a vile, power-hungry man bent on world domination, someone so threatening that Roger and Monkey D. Garp had to join forces to overcome him. But as it transpires, the strategist wasn't even there at God Valley; he was merely echoing the Global Authority's sanctioned narrative of occurrences, the exact narrative Imu authorized to bury the truth about Rocks D. Xebec and the event itself.

In truth, The captain, whose real name was Davy D. Xebec, was a ethical man who aimed to topple Imu and dismantle the decadent Global Authority. We are unsure if he was motivated by ambition, retribution for his clan, or a wish for fairness, but when he discovered the government's plan to eliminate the land where his family lived, he abandoned his ambitions of conquest to save them.

This love for his relatives became his undoing. Upon facing Imu, he lost his will and liberty, becoming a puppet controlled to their power. Now, with what little consciousness is left, he begs with Roger and Monkey D. Garp to kill him — believing that dying would be a kindness in contrast to the torment he endures. The truth of Rocks D. Xebec is thus very different from the story told by the former Fleet Admiral, and the manga presents him in a favorable manner during the Divine Isle incidents.

Could He Be Living Today?

But did Rocks D. Xebec really die? An intriguing idea is that he is still a servant to Imu in the present day, serving as the scarred individual, maintaining the Global Authority's last ancient stone in continuous movement to keep the One Piece from being discovered.

Garp's Secret Rebellion

A further protagonist of the God Valley event is Garp, who has endured backlash from followers for a long time for standing by as Akainu murdered Ace. That feeling became even more intense after the time jump, when he endangered all to rescue the young Marine at Pirate Island, leading many to wonder why he couldn't do the identical for his own grandson. Comparable doubts have now resurfaced with the God Valley recollection: how could Garp serve the Navy, knowing the World Government considers genocide and slavery as sport for the upper class?

The reality uncovers something distinct. The instant Monkey D. Garp saw the Gorosei's grotesque shapes, he attacked immediately. His alliance with Gol D. Roger was not meant to vanquish some evil Xebec, but a courageous act of rebellion, an attempt to halt Imu, who was using Rocks D. Xebec as a tool to eliminate everyone in the Divine Isle, including apparently, even the World Nobles themselves. This incident is probably the reason Garp detests the World Nobles in the current era and why he never wanted to be elevated to Admiral, answering straight to them.

History's Untrustworthy Storytellers

Although the audience are viewing the God Valley event through a flashback narrated by Loki, including perspectives and events he obviously was absent for, I believe we can treat this version as completely truthful. The manga may provide an explanation later, perhaps linked to the giant's yet unknown paramecia ability. Still, the Divine Isle incident excellently exemplifies the idea that history is recorded by the winners. This mindset is {