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The saying 'History is recorded by the victors' serves as a central theme that One Piece creator Eiichiro Oda has for some time integrated into the story. Popular tales often do not convey the complete truth, including the most influential characters in this story's complex past. Kozuki Oden was no foolish showman prancing through the roads of Wano Country; he behaved out of duty and conviction. Bartholomew Kuma wasn't a merciless villain who separated the Straw Hat Pirates, either; he was doing them a favor. Likewise, the Davy Jones legend signified beyond just a pirate's contest in search of flags and crews.

In chapter #1164 of the manga, we see the culmination of this theme. The entire Divine Isle narrative serves as a cautionary tale, advising readers not to judge the individuals too quickly.

Myths frequently do not capture the full reality, including the most influential figures.

The series's latest look back, detailing the God Valley incident, stands as one of the story's best storylines to date. Beyond the excitement 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. The past, as written by the Global Authority and recounted through hearsay stories, shaped our perception of figures like Roger, Rocks D. Xebec, and even Monkey D. Garp. But both the regime's records and the narratives of those who knew them prove untrustworthy, showing only pieces of who these men really were.

The Individual Prior to the Legend

Gol D. Roger may have been driven by mission and the bold attitude that sparked a fresh era of piracy, but before he was known as the Pirate King, he was a young man ruled by emotion and wanderlust. When people discuss his myth, they usually mean his later journey, the grand quest in pursuit of the Road Poneglyphs that point toward the final island. However not much is known about his initial travels, the one that shaped him prior to fame discovered him.

At that time, Gol D. Roger knew little of the globe's hidden past. His love for the barkeep led him to God Valley, where he discovered the World Government's darkest truths: the genocidal "contests," the monstrous forms of the Five Elders, and even the existence of the planet's unseen ruler, the mysterious leader. We are yet to witness Roger's thoughts about everything happening in the Divine Isle, but maybe discovering the child 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 Xebec's situation.

The Truth About Rocks D. Xebec

Before this flashback, what we knew of Xebec was derived mostly from the former Fleet Admiral's version, both to the viewers and to new Navy recruits. He depicted Rocks D. Xebec as a vile, ambitious man bent on global control, someone so dangerous that Roger and Garp had to join forces to defeat him. But as it turns out, Sengoku was not there at the Divine Isle; he was only echoing the Global Authority's approved version of occurrences, the very narrative Imu approved to conceal the truth about Xebec and the incident itself.

In reality, Rocks D. Xebec, whose real name was Davy D. Xebec, was a principled man who aimed to overthrow the ruler and dismantle the corrupt Global Authority. We don't know if he was motivated by ambition, retribution for his clan, or a desire for justice, but when he discovered the regime's scheme to eliminate the land where his kin lived, he abandoned his ambitions of conquest to rescue them.

This love for his family proved to be his undoing. After confronting the sovereign, he forfeited his determination and freedom, becoming a marionette controlled to their power. Currently, with what little awareness remains, he begs with Gol D. Roger and Monkey D. Garp to end his life — believing that dying would be a mercy in contrast to the living hell he suffers. The truth of Rocks D. Xebec is thus far from the tale told by Sengoku, and the manga presents him in a favorable manner during the God Valley events.

Could He Be Living Today?

But did Rocks D. Xebec really meet his end? An interesting theory is that he is still a servant to Imu in the present day, serving as the scarred individual, maintaining the Global Authority's only remaining ancient stone in constant movement to keep the ultimate treasure from being discovered.

Garp's Secret Defiance

A further protagonist of the Divine Isle incident is Monkey D. Garp, who has endured backlash from fans for years for standing by as Admiral Akainu murdered Ace. That feeling became even more intense after the time jump, when he risked everything to save the young Marine at Hachinosu, leading many to wonder why he couldn't do the identical for his biological grandson. Comparable doubts have now resurfaced with the Divine Isle flashback: how could Monkey D. Garp serve the Marines, aware the World Government treats mass murder and enslavement as entertainment for the elite?

The truth reveals something distinct. The moment Garp saw the Gorosei's grotesque shapes, he struck immediately. His alliance with Gol D. Roger wasn't to vanquish some evil Rocks D. Xebec, but a bold act of rebellion, an effort to stop Imu, who was using Rocks D. Xebec as a pawn to eliminate everyone in the Divine Isle, even apparently, including the World Nobles themselves. This incident is probably the cause Garp detests the Celestial Dragons in the present day and why he never 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 flashback recounted by the giant, covering perspectives and occurrences he obviously was absent for, I believe we can treat this account as completely truthful. The manga may offer an explanation in the future, perhaps connected to Loki's yet unknown paramecia ability. Still, the God Valley incident perfectly embodies the idea that history is recorded by the winners. This mindset is {