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The adage 'History is written by the winners' is a central motif that Eiichiro Oda's epic author Eiichiro Oda has for some time woven into the narrative. Legends often fail to capture the complete reality, even for the most powerful figures in this story's intricate past. Oden wasn't a foolish showman dancing through the roads of Wano Country; he behaved out of honor and conviction. Kuma was not a ruthless villain who tore apart the Straw Hat Pirates, as well; he was doing them a favor. Similarly, Davy Jones signified more than a pirate's game in pursuit of flags and crews.

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

Legends frequently do not capture the complete reality, including the most influential figures.

The series's most recent look back, detailing the God Valley event, represents one of the story's finest storylines to now. Beyond the thrill of witnessing legends in their peak, it's compelling to see them before they turned into icons — when their reputation had still not outgrow their human nature. The past, as written by the World Government and retold through hearsay stories, shaped our understanding of individuals like Roger, Rocks D. Xebec, and even Garp. But both the government's records and the stories of those who were acquainted with them prove unreliable, revealing only fragments of who these individuals truly were.

The Man Prior to the Legend

The future Pirate King may have been driven by purpose and the daring spirit that ignited a fresh era of piracy, but prior to he became the King of the Pirates, he was a young man ruled by passion and the desire to explore. When people speak of his legend, they usually mean his later journey, the epic expedition in pursuit of the guide stones that lead to Laugh Tale. Yet little is known about his first journey, the one that shaped him before glory discovered him.

At that time, Gol D. Roger knew little of the world's hidden past. His love for the barkeep guided him to God Valley, where he discovered the World Government's darkest realities: the genocidal "games," the monstrous appearances of the Gorosei, and including the existence of the world's unseen ruler, the mysterious leader. We haven't seen Roger's thoughts about all that's happening in God Valley, but perhaps finding the son of a God's Knight on his vessel will lead him to understand his place in the globe and pursue the reality he caught a glimpse of from Xebec's predicament.

The Truth About Rocks D. Xebec

Prior to this recollection, what we knew of Xebec came almost entirely from the former Fleet Admiral's account, each to the audience and to young Navy recruits. He painted Xebec as a vile, power-hungry man bent on global control, someone so threatening that Gol D. Roger and Garp had to team up to overcome him. But as it turns out, the strategist was not there at the Divine Isle; he was merely repeating the World Government's approved narrative of events, the very narrative the sovereign approved to bury the reality about Rocks D. Xebec and the event itself.

In truth, The captain, whose real name was Davy D. Xebec, was a ethical man who aimed to topple the ruler and dismantle the corrupt Global Authority. We don't know if he was motivated by ambition, revenge for his family, or a wish for justice, but when he found out the regime's scheme to annihilate the island where his family resided, he abandoned his ambitions of conquest to save them.

This devotion for his family became his downfall. After confronting Imu, he forfeited his determination and liberty, turning into a marionette controlled to their power. Currently, with what limited consciousness remains, he pleads with Gol D. Roger and Garp to kill him — believing that dying would be a kindness compared to the living hell he suffers. The truth of Rocks D. Xebec 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 Living Today?

But did Rocks D. Xebec actually die? An interesting theory is that he is even now a servant to the ruler in the current timeline, serving as the scarred individual, keeping the Global Authority's only remaining Poneglyph in constant transit to prevent the One Piece from being found.

The Hero's Secret Rebellion

Another key figure of the Divine Isle event is Garp, who has faced backlash from followers for years for doing nothing as Akainu murdered Ace. That sentiment only grew stronger after the time jump, when he endangered everything to save Koby at Pirate Island, causing many to wonder why he couldn't do the identical for his biological grandchild. Similar doubts have now resurfaced with the God Valley flashback: how could Garp work for the Marines, knowing the Global Authority treats mass murder and enslavement as sport for the elite?

The reality uncovers something distinct. The instant Monkey D. Garp saw the Gorosei's monstrous shapes, he struck without hesitation. His partnership with Gol D. Roger wasn't to vanquish some villainous Xebec, but a bold act of rebellion, an attempt to halt the sovereign, who was using Rocks D. Xebec as a pawn to eliminate everyone in God Valley, including it seems, even the World Nobles themselves. This incident is probably the cause Garp detests the Celestial Dragons in the present day and why he not once desired to be promoted to Admiral, reporting straight to them.

History's Untrustworthy Storytellers

Even though the readers are viewing the Divine Isle incident through a flashback recounted by Loki, including viewpoints and events he obviously wasn't present for, I think we can consider this account as completely accurate. The manga may provide an reason later, maybe linked to Loki's yet unknown paramecia ability. Nevertheless, the God Valley incident excellently embodies the notion that history is written by the winners. This attitude is {