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The saying 'The past is recorded by the victors' is a central motif that Eiichiro Oda's epic author Eiichiro Oda has long integrated into the story. Popular tales often do not capture the complete reality, even for the most powerful figures in this world's intricate history. Kozuki Oden wasn't a foolish showman dancing through the streets of Wano Country; he acted out of honor and conviction. Kuma wasn't a merciless antagonist who separated the Straw Hats, as well; he was doing them a favor. Likewise, the Davy Jones legend signified more than a pirate's game in pursuit of flags and crews.

In installment #1164 of the manga, we see the peak of this theme. The entire God Valley story serves as a cautionary tale, instructing audiences not to evaluate the characters too hastily.

Myths frequently do not capture the full reality, including the most powerful characters.

The series's latest look back, detailing the God Valley event, represents one of the story's best storylines to date. Beyond the excitement of seeing icons in their prime, it's gripping to see them prior to when they turned into symbols — when their fame had still not surpass their humanity. The past, as recorded by the World Government and retold through secondhand tales, shaped our understanding of individuals like Gol D. Roger, Xebec, and even Garp. But both the government's accounts and the stories of those who knew them prove untrustworthy, revealing only pieces of who these men really were.

The Individual Before the Myth

The future Pirate King may have been driven by mission and the bold spirit that ignited a new age of piracy, but before he was known as the Pirate King, he was a young man governed by emotion and the desire to explore. When individuals speak of his legend, they typically refer to his later journey, the grand quest in pursuit of the Road Poneglyphs that lead to Laugh Tale. However little is known about his first journey, the one that shaped him prior to glory discovered him.

Back then, Roger was largely unaware of the world's hidden history. His affection for Shakky guided him to God Valley, where he discovered the World Government's most sinister realities: the extermination "games," the monstrous appearances of the Gorosei, and even the existence of the world's unseen ruler, Imu. We haven't seen Roger's thoughts about all that's happening in God Valley, but perhaps finding the son of a Holy Knight on his ship will lead him to understand his place in the world and pursue the reality he glimpsed from Rocks D. Xebec's situation.

The Reality About The Infamous Captain

Prior to this flashback, what we were aware of of Xebec came almost entirely from Sengoku's version, 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 transpires, Sengoku wasn't even present at God Valley; he was only echoing the Global Authority's sanctioned version of events, the very story the sovereign approved to bury the truth about Xebec and the event itself.

In truth, Rocks D. Xebec, whose real name was Davy D. Xebec, was a ethical man who sought to overthrow the ruler and dismantle the decadent Global Authority. We are unsure if he was guided by ambition, retribution for his family, or a desire for fairness, but when he discovered the regime's scheme to annihilate the island where his kin resided, he abandoned his ambitions of conquest to save them.

This love for his family proved to be his downfall. Upon confronting the sovereign, he forfeited his determination and liberty, becoming a marionette controlled to their power. Now, with what little consciousness is left, he pleads with Roger and Garp to kill him — believing that death would be a kindness compared 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 manga presents him in a positive light during the Divine Isle events.

Is He Still Alive Today?

But was Rocks actually die? An interesting theory is that he is even now a slave to the ruler in the current timeline, serving as the scarred individual, maintaining the World Government's only remaining Poneglyph in constant transit to prevent the ultimate treasure from being discovered.

The Hero's Hidden Rebellion

Another protagonist of the Divine Isle event is Monkey D. Garp, who has faced criticism from fans for a long time for doing nothing as Admiral Akainu murdered Portgas D. Ace. That feeling became even stronger after the time jump, when he endangered all to rescue the young Marine at Hachinosu, leading many to wonder why he was unable to do the same for his own grandchild. Comparable doubts have recently reemerged with the Divine Isle recollection: how could Garp serve the Navy, aware the Global Authority treats mass murder and slavery as sport for the upper class?

The reality reveals something distinct. The instant Monkey D. Garp witnessed the Gorosei's grotesque forms, he struck without hesitation. His alliance with Gol D. Roger was not meant to defeat some evil Rocks D. Xebec, but a courageous act of rebellion, an attempt to halt the sovereign, who was manipulating Rocks D. Xebec as a tool to eliminate everyone in the Divine Isle, even apparently, even the Celestial Dragons themselves. This incident is probably the cause Monkey D. Garp detests the Celestial Dragons in the current era and why he never desired to be elevated to Fleet Admiral, answering straight to them.

The Past's Untrustworthy Storytellers

Even though the audience are viewing the God Valley incident through a recollection narrated by the giant, covering viewpoints and events he clearly was absent for, I believe we can consider this version as entirely truthful. The series may provide an reason later, perhaps linked to Loki's yet unknown paramecia ability. Nevertheless, the Divine Isle incident excellently embodies the idea that history is recorded by the victors. This attitude is {