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The adage 'History is written by the winners' serves as a central theme that One Piece author Eiichiro Oda has for some time integrated into the story. Popular tales often do not convey the full reality, including the most influential characters in this story's complex past. Oden was no silly showman prancing through the streets of Wano Country; he acted out of honor and conviction. Bartholomew Kuma was not a ruthless villain who separated the Straw Hat Pirates, as well; he was doing them a favor. Likewise, Davy Jones signified more than a buccaneer's contest in pursuit of emblems and crews.

In chapter #1164 of One Piece, we witness the peak of this idea. The entire Divine Isle story acts as a warning story, advising readers not to evaluate the individuals too quickly.

Myths frequently fail to capture the complete reality, even for the most powerful characters.

The series's latest look back, detailing the God Valley event, stands as one of the series' best storylines to now. Apart from the thrill of witnessing icons 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. History, as recorded by the World Government and retold through hearsay tales, painted our perception of figures like Roger, Rocks D. Xebec, and even Monkey D. Garp. But both the government's accounts and the narratives of those who knew them turn out to be untrustworthy, showing only pieces of who these individuals truly were.

The Man Prior to the Legend

The future Pirate King may have been guided by purpose and the bold spirit that sparked a new age of buccaneering, but prior to he became the Pirate King, he was a youth ruled by emotion and wanderlust. When individuals speak of his myth, they usually refer to his later journey, the grand quest in pursuit of the Road Poneglyphs that point toward the final island. However little is known about his initial travels, the one that shaped him prior to fame discovered him.

At that time, Gol D. Roger was largely unaware of the world's hidden history. His love for the barkeep led him to God Valley, where he uncovered the World Government's darkest realities: the genocidal "games," the grotesque appearances of the Gorosei, and including the presence of the world's hidden sovereign, Imu. We are yet to witness Gol D. Roger's reflections about everything happening in God Valley, but perhaps discovering the son of a Holy Knight on his ship will lead him to understand his role in the world and pursue the truth he caught a glimpse of from Xebec's predicament.

The Truth About Rocks D. Xebec

Before this flashback, what we were aware of of Xebec came almost entirely from Sengoku's account, each to the viewers and to young Marines. He painted Xebec as a despicable, power-hungry man bent on global control, someone so threatening that Roger and Monkey D. 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 echoing the World Government's approved narrative of events, the very story the sovereign authorized to conceal the truth about Xebec and the event itself.

In reality, The captain, whose real name was Davy D. Xebec, was a ethical man who sought to overthrow Imu and dismantle the corrupt World Government. We don't know if he was motivated by lust for power, retribution for his family, or a desire for fairness, but when he discovered the government's plan to eliminate the island where his family resided, he gave up his dreams of conquest to save them.

This devotion for his family proved to be his downfall. After confronting Imu, he forfeited his determination and liberty, becoming a marionette enslaved to their power. Now, with what little awareness is left, he begs with Gol D. Roger and Garp to end his life — thinking that dying would be a mercy in contrast to the living hell he endures. The reality of Rocks D. Xebec is thus far from the tale told by Sengoku, and the manga shows him in a positive manner during the God Valley incidents.

Is He Still Alive Today?

But did Rocks D. Xebec actually meet his end? An interesting idea is that he is still a servant to the ruler in the present day, acting as The Man Marked By Flames, maintaining the Global Authority's last ancient stone in continuous transit to keep the ultimate treasure from being discovered.

Garp's Secret Rebellion

A further protagonist of the God Valley incident is Monkey D. Garp, who has endured criticism from followers for years for doing nothing as Akainu killed Ace. That sentiment only grew more intense after the timeskip, when he endangered all to rescue Koby at Hachinosu, causing many to question why he couldn't do the identical for his own grandchild. Comparable doubts have now resurfaced with the God Valley recollection: how could Monkey D. Garp serve the Navy, aware the Global Authority treats genocide and enslavement as entertainment for the elite?

The truth uncovers something distinct. The moment Monkey D. Garp witnessed the Gorosei's monstrous forms, he attacked immediately. His alliance with Roger was not meant to defeat some evil Rocks D. Xebec, but a bold act of defiance, an effort to stop the sovereign, who was manipulating Rocks D. Xebec as a pawn to wipe out all in God Valley, even apparently, including the Celestial Dragons themselves. This event is probably the reason Garp despises the Celestial Dragons in the current era and why he never wanted to be elevated to Fleet Admiral, reporting directly to them.

The Past's Unreliable Narrators

Although the readers are viewing the Divine Isle event through a recollection narrated by Loki, including viewpoints and occurrences he obviously wasn't present for, I believe we can consider this version as entirely truthful. The series may provide an explanation later, maybe linked to Loki's still mysterious Devil Fruit. Still, the Divine Isle incident perfectly exemplifies the idea that history is recorded by the winners. This mindset is {