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The adage 'The past is written by the winners' is a central motif that One Piece creator Eiichiro Oda has long integrated into the narrative. Legends frequently do not capture the full truth, even for the most influential characters in this world's complex past. Kozuki Oden wasn't a foolish performer dancing through the roads of Wano; he behaved out of duty and principle. Bartholomew Kuma was not a ruthless villain who separated the Straw Hat Pirates, as well; he was helping them. Likewise, Davy Jones meant more than a buccaneer's contest in pursuit of flags and followers.

In chapter #1164 of One Piece, we see the peak of this theme. The entire God Valley story acts as a warning story, instructing readers not to evaluate the individuals too quickly.

Legends often do not capture the full reality, even for the most powerful characters.

The series's latest flashback, detailing the God Valley incident, represents one of the series' finest arcs to date. Apart from the excitement of witnessing icons in their peak, it's gripping to see them prior to when they became symbols — when their reputation had still not surpass their humanity. History, as recorded by the Global Authority and retold through secondhand tales, painted our understanding of figures like Gol D. Roger, Rocks D. Xebec, and including Garp. But both the government's accounts and the narratives of those who were acquainted with them prove untrustworthy, revealing only pieces of who these individuals really were.

The Individual Prior to the Myth

Gol D. Roger may have been guided by purpose and the daring spirit that sparked a new age of piracy, but prior to he was known as the King of the Pirates, he was a youth governed by passion and the desire to explore. When people speak of his legend, they usually refer to his second voyage, the epic quest in pursuit of the Road Poneglyphs that lead to the final island. Yet little is known about his initial travels, the one that shaped him prior to glory found him.

At that time, Gol D. Roger knew little of the world's secret past. His affection for Shakky guided him to the Divine Isle, where he discovered the Global Authority's most sinister truths: the genocidal "games," the monstrous forms of the Gorosei, and even the existence of the world's hidden ruler, Imu. We are yet to witness Gol D. Roger's thoughts about all that's occurring in the Divine Isle, but perhaps finding the child of a Holy Knight on his ship will lead him to understand his role in the globe and pursue the reality he glimpsed from Xebec's situation.

The Truth About Rocks D. Xebec

Before this recollection, what we were aware of of Xebec came mostly from the former Fleet Admiral's account, each to the viewers and to young Navy recruits. He painted Xebec as a vile, ambitious man bent on 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 there at God Valley; he was merely repeating the World Government's sanctioned narrative of events, the very narrative the sovereign approved to conceal the reality about Xebec and the event itself.

In reality, Rocks D. Xebec, whose real name was Davy D. Xebec, was a ethical man who aimed to overthrow the ruler and dismantle the decadent World Government. We are unsure if he was motivated by ambition, retribution for his family, or a wish for justice, but when he found out the government's scheme to annihilate the land where his kin resided, he gave up his dreams of domination to save them.

This devotion for his family became his downfall. Upon facing the sovereign, he forfeited his determination and liberty, becoming a puppet enslaved to their power. Currently, with what little consciousness remains, he pleads with Gol D. Roger and Garp to end his life — believing that death would be a mercy in contrast to the living hell he suffers. The reality of Rocks is thus very different from the tale told by Sengoku, and the comic presents him in a favorable light during the God Valley incidents.

Could He Be Still Alive Today?

But was Rocks D. Xebec actually die? An interesting theory is that he is still a servant to Imu in the current timeline, serving as The Man Marked By Flames, maintaining the World Government's only remaining Poneglyph in continuous transit to prevent the One Piece from being discovered.

The Hero's Hidden Rebellion

Another protagonist of the God Valley event is Garp, who has endured criticism from followers for a long time for doing nothing as Admiral Akainu murdered Portgas D. Ace. That sentiment became even more intense after the time jump, when he risked all to save the young Marine at Hachinosu, causing many to wonder why he was unable to do the identical for his own grandson. Comparable questions have recently resurfaced with the Divine Isle flashback: how could Garp serve the Navy, aware the World Government treats genocide and slavery as sport for the elite?

The reality uncovers something distinct. The moment Garp witnessed the Elders' grotesque shapes, he attacked immediately. His alliance with Gol D. Roger wasn't to defeat some evil Rocks D. Xebec, but a bold act of rebellion, an effort to stop the sovereign, who was manipulating Rocks D. Xebec as a pawn to wipe out everyone in the Divine Isle, even apparently, even the Celestial Dragons themselves. This event is probably the reason Monkey D. Garp detests the Celestial Dragons in the present day and why he never wanted to be promoted to Fleet Admiral, reporting directly to them.

History's Unreliable Narrators

Although the audience are viewing the God Valley incident through a flashback recounted by Loki, including perspectives and events he obviously wasn't present for, I believe we can consider this version as completely truthful. The series may provide an reason in the future, maybe linked to Loki's yet unknown Devil Fruit. Nevertheless, the God Valley event excellently exemplifies the idea that history is recorded by the victors. This attitude is {