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The saying 'History is recorded by the winners' is a central theme that Eiichiro Oda's epic creator Eiichiro Oda has for some time integrated into the narrative. Popular tales often do not convey the complete truth, including the most influential characters in this story's complex past. Kozuki Oden was no foolish showman dancing through the roads of Wano; he acted out of honor and principle. Kuma wasn't a ruthless villain who tore apart the Straw Hat Pirates, as well; he was helping them. Likewise, the Davy Jones legend signified beyond just a buccaneer's game in search of emblems and followers.

In installment #1164 of One Piece, we see the peak of this idea. The entire God Valley narrative acts as a cautionary tale, advising audiences not to judge the individuals too hastily.

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

The series's latest look back, detailing the Divine Isle incident, represents one of the story's best arcs to date. Apart from the excitement of seeing icons in their prime, it's compelling to see them prior to when they became symbols — when their fame had still not surpass their human nature. History, as recorded by the World Government and retold through hearsay tales, painted our understanding of figures like Roger, Xebec, and including Monkey D. Garp. But both the regime's records and the stories of those who were acquainted with them turn out to be untrustworthy, revealing only pieces of who these individuals really were.

The Man Prior to the Myth

Gol D. Roger may have been guided by purpose and the daring spirit that ignited a new age of piracy, but before he became the Pirate King, he was a youth governed by emotion and the desire to explore. When people discuss his myth, they typically mean his second voyage, the grand expedition in search of the Road Poneglyphs that point toward Laugh Tale. However little is understood about his first journey, the one that shaped him prior to fame discovered him.

At that time, Roger knew little of the world's hidden past. His love for the barkeep led him to the Divine Isle, where he uncovered the World Government's most sinister truths: the extermination "contests," the monstrous appearances of the Five Elders, and even the existence of the world's hidden sovereign, the mysterious leader. We haven't seen Roger's reflections about all that's happening in God Valley, but maybe finding the son of a Holy Knight on his ship will lead him to understand his role in the world and pursue the reality he caught a glimpse of from Xebec's situation.

The Reality About Rocks D. Xebec

Prior to this flashback, what we knew of Rocks D. Xebec came almost entirely from the former Fleet Admiral's version, each to the viewers and to new Navy recruits. He painted Rocks D. Xebec as a vile, ambitious man bent on world domination, someone so dangerous that Gol D. Roger and Garp had to join forces to defeat him. But as it transpires, the strategist was not present at God Valley; he was only repeating the Global Authority's approved version of events, the exact story the sovereign authorized to bury the truth about Xebec and the event itself.

In reality, The captain, whose real name was Davy D. Xebec, was a ethical man who aimed to topple Imu and dismantle the decadent World Government. We don't know if he was motivated by lust for power, revenge for his clan, or a desire for justice, but when he found out the regime's plan to eliminate the land where his kin lived, he gave up his ambitions of domination to save them.

This love for his family proved to be his downfall. Upon facing the sovereign, he lost his determination and freedom, becoming a marionette controlled to their authority. Now, with what limited consciousness remains, he begs with Gol D. Roger and Monkey D. Garp to kill him — thinking that dying would be a kindness compared to the torment he endures. The reality of Rocks is thus far 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 Still Alive Today?

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

Garp's Hidden Defiance

Another key figure of the God Valley event is Garp, who has faced backlash from fans for years for doing nothing as Admiral Akainu killed Ace. That feeling became even 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 doubts have now resurfaced with the Divine Isle flashback: how can Monkey D. Garp work for the Navy, aware the Global Authority treats mass murder and slavery as entertainment for the elite?

The reality reveals something distinct. The instant Monkey D. Garp saw the Gorosei's monstrous forms, he struck immediately. His alliance with Gol D. Roger was not meant to vanquish some villainous Xebec, but a bold act of rebellion, an attempt to halt Imu, who was manipulating Rocks D. Xebec as a pawn to eliminate all in the Divine Isle, even it seems, even the World Nobles themselves. This incident is likely the reason Garp detests the Celestial Dragons in the present day and why he never desired to be promoted to Fleet Admiral, answering directly to them.

History's Untrustworthy Narrators

Although the readers are seeing the God Valley incident through a flashback narrated by the giant, covering perspectives and occurrences he obviously was absent for, I believe we can treat this account as entirely accurate. The manga may provide an explanation later, perhaps connected to the giant's yet unknown paramecia ability. Still, the Divine Isle incident perfectly exemplifies the idea that history is written by the winners. This mindset is {