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The adage 'The past is written by the victors' is a central motif that Eiichiro Oda's epic creator Eiichiro Oda has long integrated into the narrative. Legends often fail to convey the complete truth, even for the most influential characters in this story's complex past. Kozuki Oden wasn't a silly showman dancing through the streets of Wano; he acted out of honor and principle. Kuma was not a ruthless villain who separated the Straw Hat Pirates, as well; he was helping them. Similarly, the Davy Jones legend signified beyond just a pirate's contest in search of flags and crews.

In chapter #1164 of One Piece, we see the culmination of this idea. The whole Divine Isle story acts as a cautionary tale, instructing readers not to evaluate the individuals too hastily.

Legends frequently fail to convey the full reality, including the most influential characters.

One Piece's most recent look back, detailing the God Valley event, stands as one of the story's best storylines to now. Beyond the thrill of witnessing legends in their peak, it's compelling to see them prior to when they turned into symbols — when their fame had yet to surpass their humanity. The past, as recorded by the World Government and recounted through hearsay stories, painted our understanding of figures like Gol D. Roger, Xebec, and even Garp. But each of the regime's records and the stories of those who were acquainted with them turn out to be unreliable, revealing only fragments of who these individuals truly were.

The Individual Before the Legend

Gol D. Roger may have been guided by purpose and the daring attitude that sparked a fresh era of buccaneering, 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 individuals speak of his legend, they typically mean his second voyage, the grand expedition in search of the Road Poneglyphs that lead to the final island. Yet not much is known about his initial travels, the one that shaped him before fame discovered him.

At that time, Gol D. Roger knew little of the world's hidden history. His love for the barkeep led him to the Divine Isle, where he discovered the Global Authority's most sinister truths: the genocidal "games," the grotesque forms of the Gorosei, and even the existence of the world's unseen ruler, Imu. We haven't seen Roger's reflections about everything occurring in the Divine Isle, but perhaps discovering the child of a God's Knight on his vessel will make him realize his place in the world and seek the truth he caught a glimpse of from Rocks D. Xebec's predicament.

The Truth About Rocks D. Xebec

Prior to this flashback, what we knew of Rocks D. Xebec came mostly from Sengoku's version, both to the audience and to new Navy recruits. He depicted Xebec as a vile, power-hungry man determined to achieve global control, someone so threatening that Gol D. Roger and Garp had to team up to overcome him. But as it transpires, Sengoku was not present at the Divine Isle; he was merely echoing the World Government's approved narrative of events, the very story the sovereign authorized to bury the truth about Xebec and the incident itself.

In truth, The captain, whose true name was Davy D. Xebec, was a principled man who aimed to topple Imu and dismantle the corrupt World Government. We don't know if he was guided by ambition, revenge for his family, or a wish for justice, but when he discovered the regime's plan to annihilate the island where his family resided, he abandoned his dreams of domination to rescue them.

This devotion for his relatives became his downfall. Upon facing Imu, he forfeited his determination and liberty, becoming a marionette enslaved to their power. Currently, with what limited consciousness remains, he begs with Gol D. Roger and Garp to end his life — believing that dying would be a mercy compared to the torment he suffers. The reality of Rocks D. Xebec is thus very different from the tale narrated by Sengoku, and the comic shows him in a positive manner during the Divine Isle events.

Is He Still Alive 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 World Government's only remaining ancient stone in continuous movement to keep the One Piece from being discovered.

Garp's Secret Rebellion

A further key figure of the Divine Isle incident is Monkey D. Garp, who has faced backlash from followers for a long time for doing nothing as Akainu killed Ace. That sentiment only grew more intense after the timeskip, when he risked all to rescue the young Marine at Pirate Island, causing many to question why he was unable to do the same for his biological grandson. Comparable questions have recently reemerged with the Divine Isle flashback: how can Garp work for the Marines, aware the Global Authority treats mass murder and enslavement as entertainment for the upper class?

The reality uncovers something distinct. The instant Monkey D. Garp witnessed the Elders' monstrous shapes, he attacked without hesitation. His alliance with Roger was not meant to defeat some evil Rocks D. Xebec, but a bold act of defiance, an effort to stop Imu, who was manipulating Rocks D. Xebec as a tool to eliminate all in the Divine Isle, including apparently, including the World Nobles themselves. This event is likely the cause Monkey D. Garp despises the Celestial Dragons in the current era and why he never desired to be promoted to Fleet Admiral, reporting directly to them.

The Past's Unreliable Storytellers

Although the readers are seeing the God Valley incident through a recollection recounted by the giant, including perspectives and occurrences he clearly wasn't present for, I believe we can consider this version as completely accurate. The manga may offer an explanation in the future, perhaps connected to Loki's yet unknown paramecia ability. Nevertheless, the God Valley event perfectly embodies the idea that the past is written by the victors. This attitude is {