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The adage 'History is written by the winners' is a central motif that Eiichiro Oda's epic creator Eiichiro Oda has for some time integrated into the story. Popular tales frequently do not capture the full truth, even for the most influential characters in this world's complex past. Oden was no foolish performer prancing through the streets of Wano Country; he acted out of duty and conviction. Kuma wasn't a ruthless antagonist who separated the Straw Hats, as well; he was doing them a favor. Likewise, Davy Jones signified beyond just a pirate's contest in pursuit of flags and crews.

In chapter #1164 of One Piece, we witness the culmination of this idea. The whole God Valley narrative serves as a cautionary tale, advising audiences not to evaluate the individuals too hastily.

Myths often do not convey the complete truth, even for the most influential characters.

One Piece's most recent flashback, detailing the Divine Isle incident, represents one of the series' best arcs to now. Beyond the thrill of seeing legends in their peak, it's compelling to observe them prior to when they became icons — when their fame had still not outgrow their human nature. History, as recorded by the Global Authority and retold through hearsay tales, painted our understanding of figures like Gol D. Roger, Rocks D. Xebec, and including Garp. But each of the government's accounts and the stories of those who were acquainted with them turn out to be unreliable, revealing only pieces of who these men truly were.

The Individual Prior to the Myth

Gol D. Roger may have been guided by purpose and the bold attitude that ignited a fresh era of piracy, but prior to he became the Pirate King, he was a young man ruled by passion and the desire to explore. When individuals discuss his legend, they usually refer to his second voyage, the epic quest in search of the Road Poneglyphs that point toward the final island. Yet little is known about his first journey, the one that shaped him before glory found him.

At that time, Roger knew little of the globe's hidden history. His affection for Shakky led him to the Divine Isle, where he uncovered the Global Authority's most sinister realities: the extermination "contests," the grotesque appearances of the Gorosei, and even the existence of the planet's unseen sovereign, Imu. We are yet to witness Roger's thoughts about everything happening in the Divine Isle, but perhaps finding the son of a Holy Knight on his ship will make him realize his role in the globe and pursue the reality he glimpsed from Rocks D. Xebec's situation.

The Truth About Rocks D. Xebec

Before this flashback, what we knew of Rocks D. Xebec was derived almost entirely from the former Fleet Admiral's version, each to the viewers and to young Navy recruits. He painted Xebec as a despicable, ambitious man determined to achieve global control, someone so dangerous that Roger and Monkey D. Garp had to team up to overcome him. But as it transpires, Sengoku was not present at the Divine Isle; he was merely echoing the Global Authority's sanctioned narrative of events, the exact story the sovereign approved to bury the truth about Xebec and the event itself.

In reality, Rocks D. Xebec, whose true name was Davy D. Xebec, was a principled man who sought to topple the ruler and dismantle the corrupt Global Authority. We don't know if he was motivated by lust for power, retribution for his clan, or a wish for justice, but when he found out the regime's plan to annihilate the island where his family lived, he abandoned his dreams of domination to save them.

This love for his relatives proved to be his undoing. After facing the sovereign, he forfeited his determination and liberty, becoming a marionette enslaved to their power. Currently, with what limited awareness is left, he begs with Gol D. Roger and Garp to kill him — believing that death would be a mercy in contrast to the living hell he suffers. The truth of Rocks is thus far from the tale narrated by the former Fleet Admiral, and the comic presents him in a favorable light during the Divine Isle events.

Is He Still Alive Today?

But was Rocks D. Xebec actually meet his end? An interesting idea is that he is still a slave to the ruler in the present day, acting as the scarred individual, maintaining the Global Authority's only remaining Poneglyph in continuous transit to keep the ultimate treasure from being discovered.

The Hero's Hidden Rebellion

A further key figure of the Divine Isle incident is Garp, who has endured criticism from fans for years for doing nothing as Admiral Akainu killed Portgas D. Ace. That feeling became even more intense after the time jump, when he risked everything to rescue Koby at Hachinosu, leading many to wonder why he was unable to do the identical for his biological grandchild. Similar doubts have now reemerged with the Divine Isle flashback: how can Monkey D. Garp work for the Navy, knowing the World Government considers genocide and enslavement as entertainment for the upper class?

The truth reveals something different. The moment Garp saw the Elders' grotesque forms, he struck without hesitation. His alliance with Roger wasn't to defeat some villainous Rocks D. Xebec, but a courageous act of rebellion, an attempt to halt Imu, who was manipulating Rocks D. Xebec as a tool to wipe out everyone in the Divine Isle, even it seems, even the World Nobles themselves. This event is likely the reason Monkey D. Garp despises the World Nobles in the current era and why he not once wanted to be promoted to Fleet Admiral, answering directly to them.

The Past's Unreliable Storytellers

Even though the readers are viewing the God Valley incident through a flashback recounted by Loki, covering perspectives and events he clearly wasn't present for, I believe we can treat this account as entirely accurate. The series may provide an explanation in the future, perhaps connected to Loki's still mysterious paramecia ability. Nevertheless, the Divine Isle event excellently embodies the notion that history is written by the winners. This attitude is {