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The saying 'History is recorded by the victors' is a central motif that Eiichiro Oda's epic author Eiichiro Oda has for some time woven into the narrative. Legends often do not capture the full reality, even for the most influential characters in this world's complex past. Oden was no foolish showman prancing through the streets of Wano Country; he behaved out of honor and principle. Bartholomew Kuma was not a ruthless villain who separated the Straw Hat Pirates, either; he was helping them. Likewise, the Davy Jones legend meant beyond just a pirate's game in pursuit of emblems and followers.

In chapter #1164 of the manga, we see the peak of this idea. The whole Divine Isle narrative serves as a warning story, advising audiences not to evaluate the characters too hastily.

Myths often fail to capture the complete truth, even for the most influential characters.

The series's latest look back, detailing the God Valley incident, stands as one of the series' finest storylines to now. Beyond the thrill of witnessing legends in their peak, it's gripping to see them prior to when they became icons — when their fame had still not surpass their human nature. History, as written by the World Government and recounted through hearsay stories, painted our understanding of figures like Gol D. Roger, Rocks D. Xebec, and even Monkey D. Garp. But each of the government's records and the stories of those who knew them prove untrustworthy, 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 daring attitude that ignited a new age of buccaneering, but prior to he was known as the Pirate King, he was a young man governed by emotion and wanderlust. When individuals discuss his myth, they typically mean his later journey, the epic expedition in pursuit of the Road Poneglyphs that lead to Laugh Tale. Yet little is understood about his initial travels, the one that molded him before fame found him.

At that time, Gol D. Roger knew little of the world's secret past. His love for Shakky led him to God Valley, where he uncovered the World Government's most sinister truths: the genocidal "contests," the monstrous appearances of the Gorosei, and including the presence of the planet's unseen sovereign, the mysterious leader. We haven't seen Gol D. Roger's thoughts about everything happening in God Valley, but maybe discovering the son of a God's Knight on his vessel will lead him to understand his role in the world and seek the truth he caught a glimpse of from Rocks D. Xebec's situation.

The Reality About Rocks D. Xebec

Prior to this recollection, what we were aware of of Xebec was derived mostly from the former Fleet Admiral's version, both to the audience and to new Navy recruits. He depicted Xebec as a despicable, ambitious man determined to achieve world domination, someone so threatening that Roger and Garp had to join forces to overcome him. But as it transpires, Sengoku wasn't even there at the Divine Isle; he was only echoing the Global Authority's sanctioned version of events, the exact story the sovereign approved to conceal the truth about Xebec and the event itself.

In truth, The captain, whose real name was Davy D. Xebec, was a ethical man who sought to topple Imu and dismantle the decadent Global Authority. We don't know if he was motivated by ambition, retribution for his clan, or a desire for justice, but when he found out the government's plan to annihilate the island where his kin lived, he gave up his ambitions of domination to rescue them.

This devotion for his family proved to be his undoing. Upon facing the sovereign, he forfeited his determination and freedom, turning into a marionette enslaved to their power. Currently, with what little consciousness is left, he pleads with Gol D. Roger and Monkey D. Garp to kill him — thinking that dying would be a kindness compared to the torment he endures. The truth of Rocks is thus far from the story narrated by Sengoku, and the manga shows him in a positive manner during the God Valley events.

Is He Still Alive Today?

But did Rocks D. Xebec really die? An interesting theory is that he is even now a slave to the ruler in the present day, acting as The Man Marked By Flames, maintaining the Global Authority's last ancient stone in constant movement to keep the ultimate treasure from being found.

The Hero's Secret Defiance

Another protagonist of the God Valley event is Garp, who has endured backlash from followers for years for standing by as Akainu killed Portgas D. Ace. That sentiment only grew more intense after the timeskip, when he endangered all to save the young Marine at Pirate Island, leading many to question why he was unable to do the identical for his own grandchild. Comparable questions have recently resurfaced with the God Valley recollection: how could Garp serve the Marines, knowing the Global Authority considers genocide and slavery as entertainment for the elite?

The reality uncovers something distinct. The moment Monkey D. Garp witnessed the Elders' monstrous forms, he attacked immediately. His alliance with Roger was not meant to defeat some evil Rocks D. Xebec, but a courageous act of rebellion, an attempt to halt the sovereign, who was using Xebec as a tool to eliminate all in God Valley, even apparently, including the World Nobles themselves. This incident is probably the cause Garp despises the Celestial Dragons in the current era and why he not once wanted to be promoted to Admiral, answering straight to them.

History's Untrustworthy Storytellers

Even though the audience are viewing the Divine Isle event through a recollection narrated by Loki, including perspectives and events he clearly was absent for, I think we can consider this account as completely accurate. The series may offer an explanation in the future, maybe linked to Loki's yet unknown paramecia ability. Nevertheless, the Divine Isle event excellently embodies the idea that history is recorded by the winners. This mindset is {