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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 story. Popular tales often fail to convey the complete truth, even for the most powerful figures in this world's complex history. Kozuki Oden wasn't a foolish performer dancing through the streets of Wano; he behaved out of duty and principle. Bartholomew Kuma was not a ruthless antagonist who separated the Straw Hats, as well; he was doing them a favor. Similarly, Davy Jones signified more than a buccaneer's game in search of emblems and followers.

In chapter #1164 of the manga, we witness the culmination of this idea. The entire God Valley story serves as a cautionary tale, instructing audiences not to evaluate the characters too hastily.

Myths often fail to convey the complete reality, including the most powerful figures.

One Piece's latest flashback, chronicling the Divine Isle incident, represents one of the series' best storylines to now. Beyond the thrill of witnessing 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 recorded by the World Government and recounted through hearsay stories, painted our understanding of individuals like Gol D. Roger, Xebec, and even Monkey D. Garp. But each of the government's records and the narratives of those who knew them prove unreliable, revealing only pieces of who these men really were.

The Individual Before the Legend

The future Pirate King may have been driven by mission and the daring spirit that ignited a new age of buccaneering, but before he became the Pirate King, he was a young man governed by emotion and the desire to explore. When people discuss his myth, they usually refer to his later journey, the epic expedition in pursuit of the Road Poneglyphs that point toward Laugh Tale. Yet not much is understood about his first journey, the one that shaped him prior to fame found him.

Back then, Roger knew little of the globe's hidden history. His love for Shakky led him to the Divine Isle, where he uncovered the World Government's darkest truths: the extermination "games," the monstrous forms of the Five Elders, and including the existence of the world's unseen ruler, Imu. We haven't seen Gol D. Roger's thoughts about everything occurring in the Divine Isle, but perhaps discovering the son of a God's Knight on his ship will make him realize his role in the globe and pursue the reality he glimpsed from Rocks D. Xebec's predicament.

The Reality About Rocks D. Xebec

Before this recollection, what we knew of Xebec came almost entirely from Sengoku's account, both to the viewers and to new Marines. He painted Xebec as a despicable, power-hungry man determined to achieve world domination, someone so threatening that Gol D. Roger and Garp had to join forces to defeat him. But as it transpires, the strategist wasn't even there at the Divine Isle; he was merely echoing the Global Authority's sanctioned narrative of occurrences, the exact narrative Imu approved to conceal the reality about Xebec and the incident itself.

In reality, The captain, whose real name was Davy D. Xebec, was a principled man who aimed to overthrow Imu and dismantle the corrupt Global Authority. We don't know if he was motivated by lust for power, retribution for his clan, or a desire for justice, but when he discovered the government's scheme to eliminate the island where his family resided, he gave up his dreams of domination to save them.

This love for his family became his downfall. Upon confronting the sovereign, he lost his determination and liberty, turning into a puppet enslaved to their authority. Currently, with what limited consciousness remains, he begs with Roger and Monkey D. Garp to end his life — thinking that dying would be a mercy in contrast to the living hell he endures. The truth of Rocks D. Xebec is thus very different from the story told by Sengoku, and the manga shows him in a positive manner during the God Valley events.

Is He Living Today?

But did Rocks D. Xebec actually die? An intriguing idea is that he is still a slave to the ruler in the current timeline, acting as The Man Marked By Flames, maintaining the Global Authority's only remaining Poneglyph in constant movement to prevent the ultimate treasure from being found.

Garp's Secret Defiance

Another key figure of the Divine Isle event is Monkey D. Garp, who has faced backlash from followers for a long time for standing by as Admiral Akainu murdered Ace. That feeling only grew stronger after the time jump, when he risked everything to rescue Koby at Pirate Island, causing many to question why he couldn't do the same for his own grandchild. Similar questions have now resurfaced with the God Valley flashback: how could Garp serve the Marines, aware the World Government treats mass murder and slavery as sport for the upper class?

The truth uncovers something different. The instant Monkey D. Garp witnessed the Gorosei's grotesque forms, he attacked without hesitation. His alliance with Gol D. Roger wasn't to defeat some villainous Rocks D. Xebec, but a courageous act of defiance, an effort to stop Imu, who was manipulating Rocks D. Xebec as a pawn to eliminate everyone in the Divine Isle, including apparently, even the World Nobles themselves. This incident is probably the cause Monkey D. Garp despises the World Nobles in the present day and why he never desired to be promoted to Admiral, answering straight to them.

History's Unreliable Storytellers

Even though the readers are viewing the God Valley event through a flashback recounted by Loki, covering perspectives and events he obviously was absent for, I believe we can consider this account as entirely accurate. The series may provide an reason in the future, perhaps connected to the giant's still mysterious Devil Fruit. Still, the God Valley event excellently exemplifies the notion that the past is written by the winners. This attitude is {