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The adage 'The past is written by the winners' serves as a key theme that One Piece author Eiichiro Oda has long woven into the story. Legends frequently fail to capture the complete reality, including the most influential figures in this world's complex history. Kozuki Oden wasn't a silly performer prancing through the streets of Wano Country; he behaved out of honor and principle. Kuma wasn't a ruthless villain who separated the Straw Hat Pirates, as well; he was doing them a favor. Similarly, Davy Jones signified beyond just a pirate's game in pursuit of flags and followers.

In chapter #1164 of One Piece, we witness the peak of this idea. The entire God Valley narrative serves as a cautionary tale, instructing readers not to evaluate the individuals too quickly.

Myths frequently do not capture the complete truth, including the most powerful figures.

One Piece's latest look back, detailing the God Valley event, represents one of the series' best arcs to now. Beyond the excitement of witnessing icons in their prime, it's compelling to see them before they turned into symbols — when their reputation had still not outgrow their human nature. History, as recorded by the Global Authority and retold through secondhand stories, painted our perception of figures like Gol D. Roger, Rocks D. Xebec, and including Garp. But both the regime's records and the stories of those who were acquainted with them prove untrustworthy, showing only pieces of who these individuals truly were.

The Individual Prior to the Myth

The future Pirate King may have been driven by purpose and the bold spirit that sparked a fresh era of buccaneering, but before he was known as the Pirate King, he was a young man ruled by passion and the desire to explore. When people discuss his legend, they typically refer to his later journey, the grand quest in search of the Road Poneglyphs that lead to the final island. However little is known about his initial travels, the one that molded him before fame discovered him.

Back then, Gol D. Roger knew little of the globe's hidden past. His love for Shakky led him to God Valley, where he discovered the World Government's darkest truths: the extermination "contests," the grotesque forms of the Five Elders, and including the presence of the planet's hidden ruler, the mysterious leader. We are yet to witness Roger's reflections about all that's happening in God Valley, but perhaps discovering the son of a Holy Knight on his ship will make him realize his place in the world and seek the truth he caught a glimpse of from Rocks D. Xebec's situation.

The Truth About Rocks D. Xebec

Before this flashback, what we knew of Xebec came almost entirely from the former Fleet Admiral's account, both to the audience and to young Navy recruits. He painted Xebec as a vile, ambitious man bent on global control, someone so dangerous that Roger and Garp had to team up to defeat him. But as it turns out, Sengoku wasn't even present at the Divine Isle; he was only echoing the World Government's approved version of events, the exact story Imu approved to bury the truth about Xebec and the event itself.

In truth, Rocks D. Xebec, whose true name was Davy D. Xebec, was a principled man who sought to overthrow Imu and dismantle the decadent Global Authority. We don't know if he was guided by ambition, revenge for his family, or a wish for fairness, but when he found out the government's scheme to eliminate the land where his kin lived, he gave up his ambitions of conquest to rescue them.

This devotion for his family proved to be his undoing. Upon facing Imu, he forfeited his will and liberty, turning into a marionette enslaved to their authority. Now, with what little awareness is left, he pleads with Roger and Monkey D. Garp to kill him — thinking that death would be a kindness in contrast to the living hell he endures. The reality of Rocks is thus very different from the story told by Sengoku, and the comic presents him in a positive light during the God Valley incidents.

Could He Be Living Today?

But did Rocks D. Xebec actually die? An intriguing idea is that he is still a servant to the ruler in the present day, acting as The Man Marked By Flames, maintaining the World Government's last Poneglyph in constant movement to keep the ultimate treasure from being found.

The Hero's Secret Defiance

A further key figure of the Divine Isle incident is Monkey D. Garp, who has endured backlash from fans for a long time for doing nothing as Admiral Akainu killed Ace. That feeling became even stronger after the time jump, when he risked everything to save Koby at Hachinosu, leading many to question why he was unable to do the same for his biological grandchild. Comparable doubts have recently resurfaced with the Divine Isle recollection: how can Monkey D. Garp serve the Marines, knowing the Global Authority treats genocide and enslavement as sport for the upper class?

The truth uncovers something distinct. The moment Monkey D. Garp witnessed the Gorosei's grotesque shapes, he attacked immediately. His alliance with Roger wasn't to vanquish some evil Rocks D. Xebec, but a courageous act of rebellion, an effort to stop Imu, who was manipulating Rocks D. Xebec as a pawn to eliminate all in the Divine Isle, including apparently, even the World Nobles themselves. This incident is likely the cause Monkey D. Garp despises the Celestial Dragons in the present day and why he not once wanted to be elevated to Admiral, answering straight to them.

The Past's Unreliable Storytellers

Even though the audience are seeing the Divine Isle incident through a recollection recounted by Loki, including perspectives and occurrences he obviously wasn't present for, I think we can consider this account as completely accurate. The series may provide an explanation in the future, maybe connected to Loki's still mysterious paramecia ability. Still, the God Valley event excellently exemplifies the notion that the past is recorded by the victors. This attitude is {