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The adage 'The past is written by the winners' serves as a central motif that Eiichiro Oda's epic creator Eiichiro Oda has for some time woven into the narrative. Popular tales frequently do not capture the complete truth, even for the most powerful characters in this story's complex history. Oden wasn't a silly performer prancing through the streets of Wano Country; he acted out of honor and principle. Bartholomew Kuma was not a ruthless antagonist who separated the Straw Hats, either; he was helping them. Likewise, Davy Jones signified beyond just a pirate's game in pursuit of emblems and followers.

In chapter #1164 of One Piece, we see the culmination of this theme. The whole God Valley story serves as a cautionary tale, instructing readers not to evaluate the characters too quickly.

Myths frequently do not capture the full reality, even for the most influential characters.

The series's latest flashback, chronicling the Divine Isle event, represents one of the story's best storylines to now. Apart from the excitement of seeing legends in their prime, it's gripping to observe them prior to when they turned into symbols — when their fame had yet to surpass their humanity. History, as written by the World Government and retold through hearsay stories, painted our perception of individuals like Roger, Xebec, and including Garp. But each of the regime's records and the narratives of those who were acquainted with them prove unreliable, revealing only pieces of who these men truly were.

The Man Prior to the Legend

The future Pirate King may have been driven by mission and the bold attitude that sparked a fresh era of piracy, but prior to he was known as the Pirate King, he was a youth ruled by emotion and wanderlust. When people speak of his myth, they usually refer to his later journey, the grand quest in search of the Road Poneglyphs that lead to Laugh Tale. Yet little is understood about his initial travels, the one that molded him prior to glory found him.

Back then, Gol D. Roger knew little of the world's hidden history. His affection for Shakky led him to God Valley, where he uncovered the World Government's most sinister truths: the genocidal "contests," the monstrous appearances of the Five Elders, and including the presence of the world's unseen ruler, the mysterious leader. We are yet to witness Roger's reflections about everything occurring in God Valley, but maybe finding the son of a Holy Knight on his vessel will make him realize his role in the globe and seek the truth he glimpsed from Xebec's situation.

The Truth About The Infamous Captain

Before this recollection, what we were aware of of Xebec was derived mostly from the former Fleet Admiral's account, each to the viewers and to new Marines. He painted Xebec as a vile, power-hungry man determined to achieve global control, someone so dangerous that Roger and Garp had to team up to defeat him. But as it turns out, Sengoku was not there at the Divine Isle; he was only repeating the Global Authority's approved version of occurrences, the very story the sovereign authorized to bury the truth about Xebec and the incident itself.

In reality, The captain, whose true name was Davy D. Xebec, was a ethical man who aimed to overthrow Imu and dismantle the decadent World Government. We don't know if he was guided by lust for power, retribution for his clan, or a desire for justice, but when he found out the government's plan to eliminate the land where his kin resided, he abandoned his dreams of conquest to save them.

This love for his family became his downfall. Upon facing Imu, he forfeited his determination and liberty, turning into a marionette enslaved to their authority. Now, with what limited consciousness remains, he pleads with Gol D. Roger and Monkey D. Garp to end his life — believing that death would be a mercy in contrast to the torment he endures. The truth of Rocks is thus far from the tale narrated by the former Fleet Admiral, and the manga shows him in a favorable manner during the Divine Isle incidents.

Is He Still Alive Today?

But did Rocks D. Xebec actually meet his end? An intriguing theory is that he is still a servant to Imu in the current timeline, serving as the scarred individual, keeping the Global Authority's only remaining ancient stone in continuous movement to prevent the One Piece from being discovered.

Garp's Hidden Rebellion

A further key figure of the God Valley incident is Garp, who has endured backlash from fans for a long time for standing by as Admiral Akainu murdered Portgas D. Ace. That feeling only grew stronger after the time jump, when he endangered everything to rescue Koby at Hachinosu, leading many to question why he couldn't do the identical for his biological grandson. Similar questions have now reemerged with the God Valley flashback: how could Garp serve the Marines, aware the World Government considers genocide and enslavement as entertainment for the elite?

The truth reveals something distinct. The moment Monkey D. Garp witnessed the Elders' monstrous forms, he struck immediately. His partnership with Roger wasn't to vanquish some villainous Rocks D. Xebec, but a bold act of rebellion, an attempt to halt the sovereign, who was using Rocks D. Xebec as a pawn to wipe out all in the Divine Isle, including apparently, even the World Nobles themselves. This event is probably the reason Monkey D. Garp detests the Celestial Dragons in the present day and why he not once wanted to be promoted to Fleet Admiral, reporting directly to them.

History's Untrustworthy Storytellers

Even though the audience are seeing the Divine Isle event through a flashback recounted by Loki, covering viewpoints and occurrences he obviously wasn't present for, I believe we can treat this version as completely accurate. The manga may offer an explanation later, perhaps linked to Loki's yet unknown Devil Fruit. Nevertheless, the God Valley incident excellently embodies the idea that the past is recorded by the victors. This mindset is {