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The saying 'The past is recorded by the victors' serves as a central motif that Eiichiro Oda's epic creator Eiichiro Oda has long woven into the narrative. Legends frequently do not convey the complete truth, even for the most powerful characters in this world's intricate history. Kozuki Oden wasn't a foolish showman dancing through the roads of Wano Country; he behaved out of honor and conviction. Bartholomew Kuma wasn't a ruthless villain who tore apart the Straw Hats, as well; he was doing them a favor. Likewise, Davy Jones signified more than a pirate's game in search of emblems and followers.

In chapter #1164 of the manga, we see the peak of this idea. The entire God Valley narrative serves as a cautionary tale, advising audiences not to judge the individuals too hastily.

Myths frequently fail to capture the full truth, even for the most powerful characters.

One Piece's most recent flashback, detailing the God Valley incident, stands as one of the story's best arcs to now. Beyond the excitement of witnessing icons in their peak, it's compelling to observe them before they became icons — when their reputation had still not surpass their human nature. The past, as written by the World Government and retold through hearsay stories, shaped our perception of figures like Roger, Rocks D. Xebec, and even Garp. But each of the regime's accounts and the narratives of those who knew them prove untrustworthy, showing only fragments of who these individuals really were.

The Man Prior to the Legend

Gol D. Roger may have been guided by mission and the daring attitude that sparked a fresh era of piracy, but before he was known as the King of the Pirates, he was a youth governed by emotion and wanderlust. When individuals discuss his legend, they usually mean his second voyage, the grand expedition in search of the guide stones that point toward the final island. Yet little is understood about his initial travels, the one that shaped him before fame found him.

Back then, Gol D. Roger was largely unaware of the world's hidden past. His affection for Shakky led him to the Divine Isle, where he discovered the World Government's most sinister realities: the genocidal "games," the grotesque appearances of the Five Elders, and even the existence of the world's hidden sovereign, the mysterious leader. We haven't seen Roger's reflections about all that's happening in the Divine Isle, but perhaps discovering the son of a God's Knight on his vessel will make him realize his role in the world and pursue the truth he caught a glimpse of from Rocks D. Xebec's situation.

The Truth About The Infamous Captain

Before this recollection, what we knew of Rocks D. Xebec was derived almost entirely from Sengoku's version, both to the viewers and to young Marines. He painted Xebec as a vile, ambitious man determined to achieve global control, someone so threatening that Gol D. Roger and Monkey D. Garp had to team up to defeat him. But as it transpires, the strategist wasn't even present at God Valley; he was merely echoing the World Government's sanctioned narrative of occurrences, the very story Imu approved to bury the reality about Rocks D. Xebec and the incident itself.

In truth, Rocks D. Xebec, whose real name was Davy D. Xebec, was a principled man who sought to topple Imu and dismantle the corrupt Global Authority. We don't know if he was guided by lust for power, retribution for his clan, or a wish for justice, but when he found out the regime's scheme to eliminate the island where his family lived, he abandoned his dreams of domination to save them.

This love for his family became his downfall. Upon confronting the sovereign, he forfeited his will and liberty, turning into a marionette controlled to their authority. Now, with what limited awareness is left, he begs with Roger and Monkey D. Garp to kill him — thinking that death would be a mercy in contrast to the torment he endures. The truth of Rocks D. Xebec is thus far from the story told by the former Fleet Admiral, and the comic presents him in a positive manner during the God Valley events.

Could He Be Living Today?

But was Rocks really die? An interesting idea is that he is even now a servant to the ruler in the present day, acting as The Man Marked By Flames, keeping the Global Authority's last Poneglyph in constant movement to prevent the ultimate treasure from being found.

The Hero's Hidden Rebellion

Another protagonist of the God Valley incident is Garp, who has faced criticism from fans for years for doing nothing as Admiral Akainu murdered Ace. That feeling only grew stronger after the timeskip, when he endangered everything to save Koby at Hachinosu, leading many to wonder why he was unable to do the same for his own grandson. Similar doubts have now reemerged with the God Valley flashback: how can Garp work for the Navy, knowing the World Government treats genocide and slavery as entertainment for the elite?

The reality reveals something different. The instant Monkey D. Garp witnessed the Gorosei's monstrous forms, he struck without hesitation. His alliance with Gol D. Roger was not meant to vanquish some evil Rocks D. Xebec, but a courageous act of defiance, an attempt to halt the sovereign, who was using Xebec as a tool to eliminate all in God Valley, including it seems, even the Celestial Dragons themselves. This incident is probably the cause Garp detests the World Nobles in the present day and why he never wanted to be elevated to Admiral, reporting straight to them.

History's Untrustworthy Narrators

Even though the audience are seeing the Divine Isle incident through a recollection recounted by the giant, including viewpoints and occurrences he clearly was absent for, I believe we can treat this account as completely truthful. The series may provide an explanation in the future, perhaps linked to Loki's still mysterious paramecia ability. Still, the God Valley event perfectly embodies the notion that history is written by the victors. This attitude is {