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The saying 'The past is written by the winners' serves as a central motif that One Piece author Eiichiro Oda has long woven into the narrative. Popular tales frequently fail to capture the full reality, even for the most influential figures in this story's complex past. Kozuki Oden was no foolish performer prancing through the roads of Wano; he acted out of duty and principle. Bartholomew Kuma wasn't a ruthless villain who separated the Straw Hats, as well; he was doing them a favor. Likewise, the Davy Jones legend signified more than a buccaneer's game in pursuit of flags and crews.

In chapter #1164 of One Piece, we witness the peak of this theme. The entire God Valley narrative serves as a warning story, advising audiences not to evaluate the characters too hastily.

Legends often do not convey the complete reality, even for the most influential figures.

The series's latest look back, chronicling the Divine Isle event, stands as one of the story's best storylines to now. Beyond the thrill of seeing legends in their peak, it's compelling to see them prior to when they turned into icons — when their reputation had still not surpass their human nature. The past, as written by the Global Authority and recounted through hearsay stories, shaped our understanding of individuals like Roger, Rocks D. Xebec, and including Monkey D. Garp. But each of the regime's records and the narratives of those who were acquainted with them prove unreliable, showing only pieces of who these individuals truly were.

The Individual Before the Myth

Gol D. Roger may have been driven by purpose and the bold spirit that ignited a fresh era of buccaneering, but before he was known as the King of the Pirates, he was a young man governed by emotion and wanderlust. When people discuss his legend, they typically refer to his second voyage, the epic expedition in pursuit of the Road Poneglyphs that point toward Laugh Tale. Yet little is known about his initial travels, the one that shaped him before glory found him.

Back then, Roger knew little of the world's hidden past. His affection for Shakky led him to God Valley, where he uncovered the World Government's most sinister realities: the genocidal "games," the monstrous appearances of the Gorosei, and even the existence of the world's unseen ruler, Imu. We haven't seen Roger's reflections about all that's occurring in the Divine Isle, but maybe finding the son of a Holy Knight on his ship 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 Reality About Rocks D. Xebec

Prior to this recollection, what we knew of Xebec came almost entirely from the former Fleet Admiral's account, both to the viewers and to new Navy recruits. He painted Rocks D. Xebec as a despicable, ambitious man bent on world domination, someone so threatening that Gol D. Roger and Garp had to join forces to overcome him. But as it transpires, the strategist wasn't even present at the Divine Isle; he was only repeating the Global Authority's sanctioned narrative of occurrences, the very narrative Imu approved to bury the reality about Xebec and the incident itself.

In reality, Rocks D. Xebec, whose true name was Davy D. Xebec, was a principled man who sought to topple Imu and dismantle the decadent World Government. We are unsure if he was guided by ambition, retribution for his clan, or a desire for justice, but when he discovered the government's plan to annihilate the land where his kin resided, he gave up his ambitions of conquest to save them.

This love for his family became his undoing. After confronting Imu, he lost his determination and freedom, becoming a marionette controlled to their power. Currently, with what limited consciousness remains, he begs with Roger and Garp to kill him — believing that death would be a mercy in contrast to the living hell he suffers. The reality of Rocks is thus far from the story narrated by the former Fleet Admiral, and the comic presents him in a favorable manner during the Divine Isle events.

Is He Still Alive Today?

But was Rocks D. Xebec actually die? An interesting idea is that he is still a servant to the ruler in the current timeline, serving as The Man Marked By Flames, keeping the Global Authority's last ancient stone in continuous movement to keep the One Piece from being found.

Garp's Secret Defiance

Another key figure of the God Valley event is Monkey D. Garp, who has faced backlash from followers for a long time for doing nothing as Admiral Akainu murdered Portgas D. Ace. That sentiment became even stronger after the timeskip, when he endangered everything to save the young Marine at Pirate Island, leading many to wonder why he was unable to do the identical for his own grandchild. Comparable doubts have now reemerged with the God Valley recollection: how could Monkey D. Garp serve the Marines, knowing the Global Authority treats genocide and slavery as sport for the upper class?

The truth uncovers something distinct. The moment Garp witnessed the Elders' monstrous forms, he struck without hesitation. His alliance with Gol D. Roger wasn't to vanquish some evil Xebec, but a courageous act of rebellion, an attempt to stop Imu, who was using Rocks D. Xebec as a tool to wipe out all in the Divine Isle, even it seems, including the Celestial Dragons themselves. This event is probably the reason Garp detests the World Nobles in the present day and why he not once wanted to be elevated to Admiral, reporting straight to them.

The Past's Untrustworthy Narrators

Even though the audience are seeing the God Valley event through a flashback narrated by Loki, including perspectives and occurrences he obviously wasn't present for, I believe we can treat this version as entirely accurate. The series may provide an explanation later, perhaps linked to Loki's yet unknown Devil Fruit. Still, the Divine Isle incident perfectly embodies the notion that history is recorded by the winners. This mindset is {