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The saying 'History is written by the victors' is a key theme that Eiichiro Oda's epic creator Eiichiro Oda has long integrated into the narrative. Legends frequently fail to convey the full reality, even for the most powerful characters in this world's complex history. Oden was no silly showman prancing through the streets of Wano Country; he acted out of honor and conviction. Kuma was not a merciless antagonist who separated the Straw Hats, as well; he was doing them a favor. Similarly, Davy Jones meant beyond just a buccaneer's game in pursuit of flags and crews.

In chapter #1164 of One Piece, we see the peak of this idea. The whole Divine Isle story serves as a cautionary tale, advising audiences not to evaluate the individuals too hastily.

Myths often do not capture the complete reality, even for the most influential figures.

One Piece's most recent flashback, chronicling the God Valley event, represents one of the story's finest storylines to now. Beyond the thrill of witnessing icons in their prime, it's compelling to observe them prior to when they became icons — when their fame had yet to surpass their humanity. History, as written by the Global Authority and recounted through secondhand stories, shaped our understanding of figures like Roger, Xebec, and even Monkey D. Garp. But each of the government's records and the stories of those who knew them turn out to be untrustworthy, showing only pieces of who these men really were.

The Individual Before the Legend

The future Pirate King may have been driven by purpose and the bold attitude that sparked a fresh era of piracy, but prior to he was known as the Pirate King, he was a young man governed by passion and the desire to explore. When individuals speak of his myth, they typically refer to his later journey, the epic expedition in search of the guide stones that lead to Laugh Tale. However little is known about his initial travels, the one that shaped him before glory discovered him.

Back then, Roger was largely unaware of the globe's hidden history. His affection for Shakky led him to the Divine Isle, where he uncovered the World Government's darkest realities: the extermination "games," the monstrous forms of the Five Elders, and even the existence of the planet's unseen sovereign, the mysterious leader. We are yet to witness Gol D. Roger's thoughts about all that's occurring in God Valley, but maybe finding the son of a God's Knight on his vessel will lead him to understand his place in the world and seek the truth he caught a glimpse of from Xebec's predicament.

The Truth About The Infamous Captain

Prior to this recollection, what we were aware of of Xebec was derived almost entirely from Sengoku's version, both to the viewers and to new Navy recruits. He painted Rocks D. Xebec as a vile, ambitious man determined to achieve global control, someone so dangerous that Gol D. Roger and Monkey D. Garp had to join forces to defeat him. But as it transpires, the strategist was not there at the Divine Isle; he was only echoing the Global Authority's sanctioned version of occurrences, the exact narrative the sovereign approved to bury the reality about Rocks D. Xebec and the event itself.

In truth, The captain, whose true name was Davy D. Xebec, was a ethical man who sought to topple the ruler and dismantle the corrupt Global Authority. We are unsure if he was motivated by lust for power, revenge for his clan, or a wish for justice, but when he found out the government's scheme to annihilate the land where his kin lived, he abandoned his ambitions of conquest to rescue them.

This devotion for his family proved to be his downfall. Upon confronting Imu, he forfeited his will and freedom, becoming a marionette enslaved to their power. Now, with what little awareness remains, he pleads with Roger and Garp to kill him — thinking that death would be a kindness compared to the torment he endures. The reality of Rocks D. Xebec is thus very different from the story told by the former Fleet Admiral, and the comic shows him in a positive light during the Divine Isle incidents.

Could He Be Living Today?

But was Rocks D. Xebec actually meet his end? An interesting theory is that he is still a servant to Imu in the present day, serving as The Man Marked By Flames, maintaining the Global Authority's last Poneglyph in constant movement to keep the ultimate treasure from being found.

The Hero's Hidden Rebellion

Another key figure of the God Valley event is Garp, who has endured criticism from fans for a long time for doing nothing as Admiral Akainu killed Ace. That sentiment became even more intense after the timeskip, when he risked all to save the young Marine at Hachinosu, leading many to question why he couldn't do the same for his biological grandson. Comparable doubts have recently reemerged with the God Valley recollection: how could Garp serve the Marines, aware the Global Authority considers genocide and enslavement as sport for the upper class?

The reality uncovers something distinct. The moment Garp saw the Gorosei's grotesque forms, he attacked without hesitation. His alliance with Gol D. Roger wasn't to vanquish some evil Xebec, but a bold act of defiance, an attempt to halt the sovereign, who was using Rocks D. Xebec as a pawn to wipe out everyone in God Valley, including apparently, including the Celestial Dragons themselves. This incident is probably the cause Garp despises the Celestial Dragons in the current era and why he never wanted to be elevated to Admiral, answering straight to them.

History's Untrustworthy Storytellers

Although the audience are seeing the God Valley event through a recollection recounted by the giant, covering viewpoints and occurrences he obviously wasn't present for, I think we can treat this version as entirely accurate. The manga may provide an reason in the future, maybe connected to Loki's still mysterious Devil Fruit. Still, the God Valley event perfectly exemplifies the idea that history is recorded by the winners. This attitude is {