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The saying 'History is recorded by the winners' is a central theme that Eiichiro Oda's epic author Eiichiro Oda has long woven into the story. Popular tales frequently do not convey the complete truth, even for the most powerful characters in this world's intricate past. Oden was no silly showman prancing through the roads of Wano; he behaved out of honor and principle. Bartholomew Kuma was not a ruthless antagonist who separated the Straw Hats, as well; he was doing them a favor. Likewise, the Davy Jones legend meant beyond just a pirate's game in pursuit of flags and crews.

In chapter #1164 of One Piece, we see the culmination of this theme. The entire God Valley narrative acts as a cautionary tale, advising audiences not to judge the characters too hastily.

Myths frequently do not capture the full reality, including the most powerful figures.

The series's most recent flashback, detailing the God Valley event, represents one of the story's finest storylines to now. Beyond the excitement of seeing legends in their prime, it's gripping to observe them before they turned into symbols — when their reputation had still not outgrow their humanity. History, as recorded by the World Government and retold through hearsay tales, painted our understanding of individuals like Roger, Rocks D. Xebec, and even Garp. But both the government's accounts and the narratives of those who were acquainted with them turn out to be unreliable, revealing only pieces of who these men truly were.

The Individual Before the Myth

Gol D. Roger may have been guided by purpose and the daring spirit that ignited a fresh era of buccaneering, but prior to he became the Pirate King, he was a youth ruled by emotion and the desire to explore. When people speak of his legend, they usually mean his later journey, the epic quest in search of the Road Poneglyphs that point toward Laugh Tale. Yet not much is understood about his initial travels, the one that molded him prior to glory discovered him.

At that time, Gol D. Roger knew little of the globe's hidden history. His affection for Shakky guided him to the Divine Isle, where he uncovered the World Government's darkest realities: the genocidal "contests," the grotesque 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 reflections about all that's occurring in God Valley, but perhaps finding the son of a God's Knight on his ship will make him realize his role 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 flashback, what we knew of Rocks D. Xebec was derived mostly from the former Fleet Admiral's account, both to the viewers and to new Navy recruits. He depicted Rocks D. Xebec as a despicable, ambitious man bent on world domination, someone so threatening that Roger and Monkey D. Garp had to team up to defeat him. But as it turns out, Sengoku wasn't even there at the Divine Isle; he was merely repeating the World Government's approved version of occurrences, the exact story Imu authorized to conceal the reality about Xebec and the incident itself.

In truth, Rocks D. Xebec, whose true name was Davy D. Xebec, was a ethical man who sought to topple Imu and dismantle the decadent Global Authority. We don't know if he was guided by ambition, retribution for his clan, or a wish for justice, but when he discovered the government's scheme to annihilate the land where his family lived, he gave up his ambitions of domination to save them.

This love for his family proved to be his downfall. After confronting the sovereign, he lost his will and liberty, becoming a puppet controlled to their power. Now, with what limited awareness remains, he pleads with Roger and Garp to kill him — thinking that death would be a kindness in contrast to the torment he suffers. The reality of Rocks is thus far from the tale narrated by the former Fleet Admiral, and the manga presents him in a favorable light during the Divine Isle events.

Could He Be Still Alive Today?

But was Rocks really die? An interesting idea is that he is even now a slave to the ruler in the current timeline, acting as The Man Marked By Flames, maintaining the Global Authority's only remaining ancient stone in constant movement to prevent the ultimate treasure from being discovered.

The Hero's Hidden Defiance

A further protagonist of the Divine Isle incident is Monkey D. Garp, who has endured criticism from followers for years for doing nothing as Akainu murdered Ace. That feeling became even more intense after the time jump, when he risked everything to save Koby at Pirate Island, leading many to wonder why he was unable to do the same for his own grandchild. Comparable questions have now reemerged with the God Valley flashback: how can Garp serve the Navy, knowing the Global Authority considers genocide and slavery as sport for the elite?

The truth uncovers something different. The moment Garp witnessed the Gorosei's monstrous forms, he attacked without hesitation. His partnership with Roger wasn't to defeat some villainous Rocks D. Xebec, but a courageous act of rebellion, an attempt to stop Imu, who was manipulating Xebec as a pawn to eliminate everyone in God Valley, including apparently, even the Celestial Dragons themselves. This event is likely the reason Monkey D. Garp detests the Celestial Dragons in the present day and why he not once wanted to be promoted to Admiral, reporting directly to them.

History's Untrustworthy Storytellers

Although the readers are viewing the Divine Isle event through a flashback narrated by Loki, including perspectives and events he clearly wasn't present for, I believe we can treat this account as entirely truthful. The manga may offer an explanation in the future, perhaps linked to Loki's still mysterious paramecia ability. Nevertheless, the God Valley event perfectly embodies the notion that the past is written by the winners. This attitude is {