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The saying 'The past is recorded by the victors' is a central motif that Eiichiro Oda's epic creator Eiichiro Oda has long integrated into the narrative. Legends frequently fail to capture the complete reality, including the most influential figures in this world's complex past. Kozuki Oden wasn't a foolish performer prancing through the roads of Wano; he acted out of duty and principle. Kuma was not a ruthless villain who tore apart the Straw Hat Pirates, as well; he was doing them a favor. Similarly, Davy Jones signified beyond just a pirate's contest in search of emblems and crews.

In chapter #1164 of the manga, we see the culmination of this idea. The entire God Valley narrative acts as a warning story, instructing audiences not to evaluate the individuals too hastily.

Legends frequently fail to capture the complete reality, including the most powerful figures.

One Piece's most recent look back, detailing the Divine Isle incident, represents one of the series' best arcs to now. Beyond the thrill of witnessing legends in their prime, it's compelling to see them before they became symbols — when their reputation had yet to outgrow their humanity. History, as recorded by the Global Authority and retold through hearsay stories, shaped our perception of figures like Gol D. Roger, Xebec, and including Garp. But each of the regime's records and the narratives of those who knew them prove unreliable, showing only pieces of who these men truly were.

The Individual Prior to the Legend

Gol D. Roger may have been guided by purpose and the bold spirit that ignited a new age of buccaneering, but prior to he became the Pirate King, he was a young man ruled by emotion and wanderlust. When individuals discuss his legend, they typically refer to his later journey, the epic expedition in pursuit of the guide stones that lead to the final island. Yet not much is known about his initial travels, the one that molded him prior to fame discovered him.

Back then, Roger was largely unaware of the world's hidden history. His love for the barkeep guided him to the Divine Isle, where he uncovered the World Government's most sinister truths: the extermination "contests," the monstrous forms of the Five Elders, and even the existence of the world's hidden ruler, Imu. We haven't seen Roger's thoughts about everything occurring in the Divine Isle, but perhaps discovering the child of a God's Knight on his vessel will lead him to understand his place in the world and pursue the truth he caught a glimpse of from Xebec's situation.

The Reality About The Infamous Captain

Prior to this recollection, what we knew of Rocks D. Xebec was derived almost entirely from the former Fleet Admiral's version, both to the viewers and to young Marines. He depicted Xebec as a despicable, power-hungry man bent on global control, someone so dangerous that Gol D. Roger and Garp had to team up to defeat him. But as it transpires, Sengoku wasn't even there at the Divine Isle; he was merely repeating the World Government's approved version of occurrences, the very story Imu authorized to conceal the reality about Rocks D. Xebec and the incident itself.

In reality, Rocks D. Xebec, whose true name was Davy D. Xebec, was a principled man who aimed to overthrow the ruler and dismantle the decadent World Government. We don't know if he was motivated by lust for power, revenge for his family, or a desire for justice, but when he found out the regime's scheme to eliminate the island where his kin resided, he gave up his dreams of conquest to rescue them.

This love for his family proved to be his undoing. Upon facing Imu, he forfeited his determination and liberty, becoming a marionette enslaved to their power. Currently, with what limited consciousness is left, he pleads with Roger and Monkey D. Garp to kill him — believing that death would be a kindness compared to the torment he endures. The reality of Rocks D. Xebec is thus far from the story narrated by the former Fleet Admiral, and the comic shows him in a favorable manner during the God Valley incidents.

Could He Be Living Today?

But was Rocks D. Xebec really meet his end? An intriguing theory is that he is even now a slave to the ruler in the current timeline, acting as The Man Marked By Flames, keeping the Global Authority's only remaining ancient stone in constant movement to keep the ultimate treasure from being found.

The Hero's Secret Rebellion

Another key figure of the Divine Isle incident is Garp, who has faced criticism from followers for years for doing nothing as Admiral Akainu killed Ace. That feeling only grew more intense after the timeskip, when he risked everything to rescue the young Marine at Pirate Island, causing many to wonder why he was unable to do the same for his biological grandson. Comparable doubts have recently reemerged with the God Valley recollection: how could Garp serve the Navy, aware the Global Authority considers genocide and slavery as entertainment for the elite?

The truth reveals something distinct. The instant Monkey D. Garp witnessed the Gorosei's monstrous forms, he attacked immediately. His partnership with Roger wasn't to vanquish some evil Xebec, but a bold act of defiance, an attempt to stop Imu, who was using Xebec as a tool to eliminate all in God Valley, even apparently, even the World Nobles themselves. This incident is probably the reason Garp despises the World Nobles in the present day and why he not once wanted to be promoted to Fleet Admiral, answering straight to them.

History's Unreliable Storytellers

Although the audience are viewing the God Valley incident through a flashback recounted by Loki, covering viewpoints and events he obviously was absent for, I believe we can treat this version as entirely truthful. The series may provide an reason later, maybe linked to the giant's still mysterious paramecia ability. Still, the God Valley event excellently embodies the idea that the past is recorded by the winners. This mindset is {