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The adage 'The past is recorded by the winners' is a key motif that Eiichiro Oda's epic creator Eiichiro Oda has long woven into the story. Popular tales frequently do not capture the complete truth, including the most powerful figures in this story's complex history. Oden wasn't a silly performer dancing through the roads of Wano Country; he acted out of duty and conviction. Kuma was not a ruthless villain who separated the Straw Hats, either; he was helping them. Likewise, the Davy Jones legend signified more than a buccaneer's game in search of flags and followers.

In installment #1164 of the manga, we see the culmination of this theme. The entire God Valley story acts as a warning story, instructing readers not to judge the characters too quickly.

Myths often fail to capture the complete reality, even for the most powerful characters.

The series's latest look back, chronicling the Divine Isle incident, represents one of the story's best arcs to now. Apart from the excitement of seeing icons in their prime, it's gripping to observe them prior to when they turned into icons — when their fame had yet to surpass their human nature. History, as recorded by the World Government and retold through hearsay tales, painted our understanding of individuals like Gol D. Roger, Xebec, and even Monkey D. Garp. But each of the regime's records and the narratives of those who were acquainted with them turn out to be untrustworthy, showing only pieces of who these men truly were.

The Man Prior to the Myth

The future Pirate King may have been guided by purpose and the daring spirit that sparked a new age of buccaneering, but prior to he became the Pirate King, he was a young man ruled by emotion and wanderlust. When people discuss his legend, they usually mean his second voyage, the epic expedition in search of the guide stones that lead to the final island. However little is understood about his initial travels, the one that molded him before glory discovered him.

At that time, Roger was largely unaware of the world's secret history. His affection for the barkeep led him to the Divine Isle, where he discovered the Global Authority's most sinister realities: the extermination "games," the monstrous forms of the Gorosei, and including the existence of the planet's unseen ruler, Imu. We are yet to witness Gol D. Roger's thoughts about all that's happening in the Divine Isle, but perhaps discovering the child of a God's Knight on his vessel will make him realize his place in the globe and pursue the truth he caught a glimpse of from Rocks D. Xebec's predicament.

The Truth About The Infamous Captain

Before this flashback, what we were aware of of Xebec came mostly from Sengoku's version, both to the audience and to young Marines. He depicted Xebec as a despicable, ambitious man bent on world domination, someone so dangerous that Gol D. Roger and Garp had to join forces to overcome him. But as it transpires, the strategist was not present at God Valley; he was merely echoing the World Government's sanctioned version of occurrences, the exact narrative the sovereign approved to conceal the reality about Xebec and the incident itself.

In truth, The captain, whose real name was Davy D. Xebec, was a ethical man who aimed to overthrow Imu and dismantle the corrupt World Government. We are unsure if he was motivated by lust for power, retribution for his clan, or a desire for justice, but when he found out the regime's scheme to annihilate the land where his kin lived, he gave up his dreams of domination to save them.

This devotion for his family proved to be his downfall. After confronting Imu, he forfeited his determination and freedom, becoming a marionette controlled to their power. Now, with what little awareness remains, he begs with Gol D. Roger and Monkey D. Garp to kill him — believing that death would be a kindness in contrast to the torment he suffers. The truth of Rocks is thus very different from the tale told by the former Fleet Admiral, and the manga shows him in a favorable manner during the God Valley events.

Could He Be Living Today?

But did Rocks D. Xebec actually die? An intriguing idea is that he is still a slave to Imu in the present day, serving as the scarred individual, keeping the World Government's only remaining ancient stone in continuous movement to keep the One Piece from being found.

Garp's Secret Defiance

A further key figure of the God Valley event is Monkey D. Garp, who has faced criticism from fans for a long time for standing by as Admiral Akainu killed Portgas D. Ace. That feeling became even stronger after the time jump, when he endangered everything to rescue the young Marine at Pirate Island, leading many to question why he was unable to do the identical for his own grandson. Comparable doubts have now reemerged with the Divine Isle recollection: how could Monkey D. Garp serve the Navy, knowing the World Government treats genocide and slavery as sport for the elite?

The reality uncovers something different. The moment Garp witnessed the Gorosei's grotesque shapes, he attacked without hesitation. His alliance with Gol D. Roger wasn't to defeat some evil Xebec, but a courageous act of rebellion, an attempt to halt Imu, who was manipulating Xebec as a tool to eliminate all in God Valley, even apparently, even the World Nobles themselves. This event is likely the cause Garp detests the Celestial Dragons in the present day and why he never wanted to be elevated to Admiral, answering straight to them.

The Past's Untrustworthy Narrators

Even though the readers are viewing the God Valley incident through a recollection narrated by Loki, covering viewpoints and occurrences he clearly wasn't present for, I think we can consider this account as completely accurate. The series may offer an explanation in the future, maybe connected to the giant's still mysterious paramecia ability. Still, the Divine Isle event excellently embodies the notion that history is recorded by the victors. This attitude is {