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The adage 'History is written by the victors' serves as a key theme that Eiichiro Oda's epic author Eiichiro Oda has long woven into the narrative. Popular tales frequently do not capture the complete truth, even for the most powerful figures in this world's complex history. Kozuki Oden was no silly performer prancing through the roads of Wano; he acted out of duty and conviction. Kuma wasn't a merciless villain who separated the Straw Hat Pirates, either; he was helping them. Similarly, Davy Jones meant beyond just a buccaneer's game in search of emblems and crews.

In chapter #1164 of the manga, we see the peak of this idea. The whole God Valley story serves as a cautionary tale, advising readers not to judge the individuals too quickly.

Myths frequently fail to convey the full reality, even for the most powerful characters.

The series's most recent flashback, detailing the God Valley event, stands as one of the series' finest arcs to now. Beyond the thrill of seeing icons in their prime, it's compelling to observe them prior to when they turned into symbols — when their reputation had yet to surpass their humanity. History, as written by the Global Authority and retold through hearsay stories, painted our understanding of figures like Roger, Xebec, and including Monkey D. Garp. But each of the government's accounts and the stories of those who were acquainted with them prove untrustworthy, revealing only fragments of who these men really were.

The Man Before the Myth

Gol D. Roger may have been guided by purpose and the bold spirit that sparked a new age of piracy, but prior to he became the Pirate King, he was a young man ruled by passion and wanderlust. When people discuss his legend, they usually refer to his second voyage, the grand expedition in pursuit of the Road Poneglyphs that point toward Laugh Tale. Yet not much is known about his initial travels, the one that shaped him prior to glory discovered him.

At that time, Roger was largely unaware of the world's secret history. His love for the barkeep led him to God Valley, where he discovered the World Government's darkest truths: the genocidal "games," the monstrous forms of the Gorosei, and even the presence of the world's unseen ruler, Imu. We haven't seen Roger's thoughts about all that's occurring in God Valley, but perhaps finding the child of a God's Knight on his vessel will lead him to understand his role in the world and pursue the reality he glimpsed from Rocks D. Xebec's predicament.

The Truth About The Infamous Captain

Before this flashback, what we knew of Rocks D. Xebec came mostly from Sengoku's account, each to the audience and to new Navy recruits. He painted Rocks D. Xebec as a despicable, power-hungry man bent on world domination, someone so dangerous that Roger and Monkey D. Garp had to team up to defeat him. But as it turns out, Sengoku was not present at God Valley; he was merely repeating the World Government's approved narrative of occurrences, the very story Imu 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 Imu and dismantle the decadent Global Authority. We are unsure if he was motivated by ambition, retribution for his family, or a desire for fairness, but when he discovered the government's plan to annihilate the land where his kin resided, he abandoned his dreams of domination to rescue them.

This devotion for his family became his downfall. Upon facing the sovereign, he forfeited his determination and liberty, becoming a puppet enslaved to their authority. Now, with what little awareness is left, he pleads with Gol D. Roger and Monkey D. Garp to kill him — thinking that dying would be a kindness in contrast to the living hell he endures. The reality of Rocks D. Xebec is thus far from the tale narrated by Sengoku, and the comic shows him in a positive manner during the Divine Isle incidents.

Could He Be Still Alive Today?

But was Rocks actually meet his end? An intriguing idea is that he is even now a slave to the ruler in the present day, serving as The Man Marked By Flames, maintaining the World Government's only remaining Poneglyph in continuous movement to prevent the ultimate treasure from being found.

The Hero's Hidden Defiance

Another key figure of the God Valley event is Monkey D. Garp, who has faced backlash from fans for years for doing nothing as Admiral Akainu killed Ace. That sentiment became even stronger after the time jump, when he endangered all to save Koby at Pirate Island, causing many to wonder why he couldn't do the same for his biological grandchild. Similar questions have now resurfaced with the Divine Isle recollection: how could Monkey D. Garp serve the Navy, aware the Global Authority considers mass murder and slavery as entertainment for the elite?

The reality uncovers something distinct. The moment Monkey D. Garp saw the Elders' grotesque shapes, he attacked without hesitation. His partnership with Gol D. Roger was not meant to vanquish some evil Xebec, but a bold act of defiance, an attempt to stop Imu, who was manipulating Rocks D. Xebec as a pawn to wipe out everyone in the Divine Isle, even apparently, even the World Nobles themselves. This event is likely the reason Monkey D. Garp detests the World Nobles in the current era and why he never wanted to be elevated to Fleet Admiral, reporting straight to them.

History's Untrustworthy Storytellers

Although the readers are viewing the God Valley incident through a recollection recounted by Loki, covering viewpoints and events he clearly was absent for, I believe we can treat this account as completely truthful. The series may offer an explanation in the future, perhaps linked to the giant's still mysterious paramecia ability. Nevertheless, the Divine Isle event excellently embodies the notion that the past is written by the winners. This attitude is {