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The adage 'The past is written by the winners' is a central motif that One Piece author Eiichiro Oda has for some time woven into the narrative. Legends frequently do not convey the complete reality, including the most powerful figures in this world's intricate past. Kozuki Oden wasn't a foolish showman prancing through the streets of Wano Country; he acted out of honor and principle. Kuma wasn't a merciless villain who tore apart the Straw Hat Pirates, as well; he was helping them. Likewise, the Davy Jones legend signified more than a buccaneer's contest in pursuit of emblems and crews.

In installment #1164 of the manga, we witness the peak of this idea. The entire God Valley story acts as a cautionary tale, advising readers not to evaluate the individuals too quickly.

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

One Piece's most recent flashback, chronicling the Divine Isle incident, represents one of the story's best storylines to now. Apart from the excitement of seeing legends in their peak, it's gripping to see them before they became symbols — when their reputation had still not surpass their human nature. History, as recorded by the World Government and retold through secondhand tales, painted our understanding of figures like Roger, Xebec, and including Garp. But both the government's accounts and the stories of those who knew them turn out to be unreliable, showing only pieces of who these individuals really were.

The Man Before the Myth

The future Pirate King may have been driven by purpose and the daring attitude that ignited a fresh era of buccaneering, but prior to he was known as the Pirate King, he was a young man governed by emotion and the desire to explore. When people speak of his legend, they typically refer to his later journey, the epic expedition in pursuit of the guide stones that lead to Laugh Tale. Yet not much is known about his first journey, the one that shaped him before glory found him.

At that time, Roger knew little of the world's hidden history. His affection for the barkeep led him to God Valley, where he uncovered the World Government's most sinister realities: the extermination "games," the monstrous appearances of the Gorosei, and even the presence of the planet's unseen ruler, Imu. We are yet to witness Roger's thoughts about all that's occurring in God Valley, but maybe finding the son of a Holy Knight on his vessel will make him realize his place in the globe and seek the reality he glimpsed from Xebec's predicament.

The Reality About The Infamous Captain

Prior to this recollection, what we were aware of of Xebec was derived almost entirely from Sengoku's account, each to the viewers and to new Marines. He depicted Rocks D. Xebec as a despicable, ambitious man bent on global control, someone so dangerous that Roger and Monkey D. Garp had to team up to overcome him. But as it transpires, the strategist wasn't even present at the Divine Isle; he was only repeating the Global Authority's sanctioned narrative of events, the very story the sovereign authorized to bury the reality about Rocks D. Xebec and the event itself.

In truth, The captain, whose real name was Davy D. Xebec, was a principled man who aimed to topple Imu and dismantle the decadent Global Authority. We don't know if he was guided by lust for power, revenge for his family, or a desire for justice, but when he found out the regime's plan to eliminate the land where his family resided, he abandoned his ambitions of domination to rescue them.

This devotion for his family proved to be his downfall. Upon facing the sovereign, he forfeited his determination and freedom, turning into a puppet controlled to their authority. Now, with what little consciousness remains, he begs with Gol D. Roger and Monkey D. Garp to end his life — believing that dying would be a kindness in contrast to the torment he endures. The truth of Rocks D. Xebec is thus very different from the story told by the former Fleet Admiral, and the comic presents him in a positive light during the God Valley events.

Could He Be Still Alive Today?

But was Rocks actually die? An intriguing idea 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 continuous transit to prevent the One Piece from being found.

Garp's Hidden Defiance

Another protagonist of the Divine Isle incident is Garp, who has endured backlash from fans for years for standing by as Admiral Akainu murdered Ace. That feeling became even stronger after the time jump, when he risked all to rescue the young Marine at Hachinosu, causing many to question why he was unable to do the identical for his biological grandchild. Similar questions have recently reemerged with the God Valley flashback: how can Garp work for the Marines, aware the World Government treats genocide and slavery as entertainment for the upper class?

The truth reveals something different. The instant Monkey D. Garp witnessed the Gorosei's grotesque forms, he struck immediately. His alliance with Gol D. Roger was not meant to defeat some villainous Xebec, but a bold act of rebellion, an effort to stop the sovereign, who was manipulating Rocks D. Xebec as a pawn to eliminate everyone in God Valley, even it seems, even the Celestial Dragons themselves. This event is probably the reason Garp detests the World Nobles in the present day and why he not once desired to be elevated to Fleet Admiral, reporting straight to them.

The Past's Untrustworthy Storytellers

Even though the readers are viewing the Divine Isle incident through a recollection recounted by the giant, including perspectives and events he clearly wasn't present for, I think we can consider this account as completely accurate. The manga may offer an explanation later, perhaps connected to Loki's yet unknown paramecia ability. Nevertheless, the Divine Isle incident excellently exemplifies the idea that the past is written by the winners. This mindset is {