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The saying 'History is recorded by the winners' serves as a central theme that Eiichiro Oda's epic author Eiichiro Oda has for some time integrated into the narrative. Legends frequently do not capture the complete reality, including the most powerful characters in this story's complex past. Kozuki Oden was no silly showman prancing through the streets of Wano Country; he acted out of duty and conviction. Kuma was not a merciless antagonist who separated the Straw Hat Pirates, as well; he was helping them. Similarly, Davy Jones signified more than a pirate's game in search of emblems and crews.

In chapter #1164 of One Piece, we see the peak of this theme. The whole God Valley story acts as a warning story, instructing readers not to evaluate the characters too hastily.

Myths frequently fail to convey the complete reality, including the most powerful characters.

The series's most recent look back, chronicling the Divine Isle incident, stands as one of the story's finest arcs to date. Beyond the thrill of witnessing legends in their peak, it's compelling to observe them prior to when they turned into icons — when their reputation had still not surpass their humanity. History, as written by the World Government and recounted through secondhand stories, painted our perception of figures like Gol D. Roger, Rocks D. Xebec, and even Garp. But each of the government's accounts and the stories of those who were acquainted with them prove untrustworthy, showing only pieces of who these individuals truly were.

The Man Before the Legend

Gol D. Roger may have been driven by mission and the daring spirit that ignited a fresh era of buccaneering, but before he was known as the King of the Pirates, he was a youth governed by emotion and wanderlust. When people speak of his legend, they typically refer to his later journey, the grand quest in search of the guide stones that point toward Laugh Tale. However not much is understood about his first journey, the one that molded him before fame discovered him.

Back then, Gol D. Roger knew little of the globe's secret history. His love for Shakky led him to God Valley, 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 planet's hidden sovereign, the mysterious leader. We haven't seen Roger's thoughts about all that's happening in God Valley, but maybe finding the son of a Holy Knight on his vessel will lead him to understand his role in the world and seek the truth he caught a glimpse of from Xebec's situation.

The Reality About Rocks D. Xebec

Before this flashback, what we were aware of of Xebec was derived almost entirely from the former Fleet Admiral's account, both to the audience and to young Navy recruits. He depicted Rocks D. Xebec as a despicable, power-hungry man determined to achieve world domination, someone so threatening that Gol D. Roger and Garp had to join forces to overcome him. But as it turns out, Sengoku wasn't even present at God Valley; he was only repeating the Global Authority's approved version of events, the exact story Imu authorized to conceal the reality about Rocks D. Xebec and the incident itself.

In truth, The captain, whose true name was Davy D. Xebec, was a ethical man who aimed to overthrow the ruler and dismantle the corrupt World Government. We are unsure if he was guided by ambition, revenge for his clan, or a wish for fairness, but when he discovered the government's plan to eliminate the island where his kin lived, he abandoned his ambitions of conquest to save them.

This love for his relatives became his downfall. Upon facing Imu, he forfeited his determination and freedom, turning into a marionette enslaved to their power. Now, with what little awareness remains, he pleads with Roger and Garp to end his life — believing that death would be a kindness in contrast to the torment he suffers. The truth of Rocks D. Xebec is thus far from the tale told by the former Fleet Admiral, and the comic presents him in a favorable manner during the God Valley events.

Is He Living Today?

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

Garp's Hidden Defiance

Another protagonist of the God Valley incident is Monkey D. Garp, who has faced backlash from followers for years for standing by as Admiral Akainu killed Portgas D. Ace. That sentiment became even stronger after the timeskip, when he endangered all to rescue Koby at Hachinosu, causing many to question why he couldn't do the same for his own grandchild. Similar doubts have recently reemerged with the God Valley flashback: how could Monkey D. Garp work for the Navy, aware the Global Authority treats mass murder and slavery as sport for the upper class?

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 defeat some villainous Rocks D. Xebec, but a courageous act of defiance, an attempt to stop the sovereign, who was using Rocks D. Xebec as a tool to wipe out everyone in God Valley, even apparently, even the Celestial Dragons themselves. This incident is likely the cause Monkey D. Garp detests the Celestial Dragons in the present day and why he never desired to be elevated to Admiral, reporting straight to them.

History's Unreliable Storytellers

Even though the audience are viewing the God Valley incident through a recollection recounted by Loki, including viewpoints and occurrences he clearly was absent for, I think we can treat this account as entirely accurate. The series may provide an explanation in the future, perhaps connected to the giant's yet unknown paramecia ability. Nevertheless, the God Valley incident excellently embodies the idea that history is recorded by the winners. This attitude is {