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The saying 'History is recorded by the winners' is a central motif that One Piece creator Eiichiro Oda has for some time integrated into the story. Popular tales often do not convey the full reality, even for the most powerful characters in this world's intricate history. Oden was no foolish showman dancing through the roads of Wano Country; he behaved out of duty and principle. Kuma wasn't a ruthless villain who separated the Straw Hat Pirates, as well; he was doing them a favor. Likewise, the Davy Jones legend signified more than a buccaneer's game in search of flags and crews.

In installment #1164 of One Piece, we see the culmination of this theme. The whole God Valley narrative acts as a cautionary tale, instructing readers not to judge the individuals too hastily.

Myths often fail to convey the complete reality, including the most powerful figures.

One Piece's most recent flashback, chronicling the Divine Isle incident, represents one of the series' best arcs to date. Beyond the thrill of witnessing legends in their prime, it's compelling to observe them prior to when they turned into symbols — when their reputation had still not surpass their human nature. History, as recorded by the World Government and recounted through hearsay stories, painted our understanding of individuals like Roger, Xebec, and even Monkey D. Garp. But each of the regime's records and the narratives of those who were acquainted with them turn out to be untrustworthy, revealing only pieces of who these individuals truly were.

The Individual Before the Myth

Gol D. Roger may have been guided by mission and the daring attitude that sparked a fresh era of buccaneering, but prior to he became the Pirate King, he was a youth ruled by passion and the desire to explore. When people discuss his myth, they typically refer to his second voyage, the grand quest in pursuit of the Road Poneglyphs that point toward the final island. Yet little is understood about his initial travels, the one that molded him prior to glory discovered him.

At that time, Roger knew little of the world's hidden past. His affection for the barkeep led him to God Valley, where he uncovered the World Government's most sinister truths: the extermination "contests," the grotesque appearances of the Five Elders, and even the presence of the planet's hidden sovereign, Imu. We are yet to witness Gol D. Roger's reflections about all that's occurring in God Valley, but maybe finding the child of a God's Knight on his vessel will lead him to understand his place in the world and seek the truth he glimpsed from Xebec's situation.

The Reality About The Infamous Captain

Before this flashback, what we knew of Rocks D. Xebec came almost entirely from Sengoku's version, each to the audience and to new Navy recruits. He depicted Xebec as a despicable, ambitious man determined to achieve global control, someone so threatening that Roger and Garp had to join forces to overcome him. But as it turns out, Sengoku wasn't even present at God Valley; he was merely echoing the World Government's approved version of events, the very narrative the sovereign approved to bury the truth about Rocks D. Xebec and the event itself.

In reality, The captain, whose true name was Davy D. Xebec, was a ethical man who sought to topple the ruler and dismantle the decadent World Government. We don't know if he was guided by ambition, retribution for his clan, or a desire for fairness, but when he discovered the government's scheme to eliminate the island where his family resided, he gave up his ambitions of conquest to rescue them.

This devotion for his relatives became his downfall. Upon facing the sovereign, he forfeited his will and freedom, turning into a puppet controlled to their power. Currently, with what little awareness remains, he pleads with Roger and Garp to kill him — thinking that dying would be a kindness in contrast to the torment he suffers. The truth of Rocks D. Xebec is thus far from the story told by the former Fleet Admiral, and the manga presents him in a favorable manner during the God Valley incidents.

Is He Living Today?

But did Rocks D. Xebec really meet his end? An interesting idea is that he is still a slave to the ruler in the current timeline, serving as the scarred individual, maintaining the World Government's only remaining ancient stone in constant transit to prevent the ultimate treasure from being discovered.

Garp's Hidden Defiance

A further key figure of the Divine Isle incident is Monkey D. Garp, who has faced criticism from fans for years for doing nothing as Admiral Akainu murdered Portgas D. Ace. That sentiment only grew stronger after the time jump, when he risked everything to save Koby at Pirate Island, causing many to question why he couldn't do the identical for his biological grandson. Similar questions have now resurfaced with the God Valley flashback: how could Monkey D. Garp work for the Marines, aware the World Government treats mass murder and slavery as sport for the elite?

The reality reveals something different. The instant Garp saw the Gorosei's monstrous forms, he attacked immediately. His alliance with Gol D. Roger was not meant to defeat some villainous Xebec, but a courageous act of rebellion, an effort to stop Imu, who was manipulating Xebec as a pawn to wipe out all in God Valley, even it seems, including the Celestial Dragons themselves. This event is probably the cause Monkey D. Garp despises the World Nobles in the present day and why he never desired to be promoted to Admiral, answering directly to them.

The Past's Unreliable Storytellers

Even though the readers are seeing the God Valley incident through a recollection recounted by the giant, including perspectives and events he obviously wasn't present for, I think we can consider this account as entirely truthful. The series may offer an explanation in the future, perhaps linked to Loki's still mysterious Devil Fruit. Nevertheless, the God Valley event perfectly exemplifies the idea that the past is recorded by the victors. This mindset is {