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The saying 'The past is recorded by the winners' is a key theme that Eiichiro Oda's epic author Eiichiro Oda has for some time woven into the story. Legends frequently do not capture the full truth, even for the most powerful figures in this world's complex history. Oden wasn't a foolish showman dancing through the streets of Wano Country; he behaved out of duty and conviction. Kuma was not a merciless antagonist who separated the Straw Hats, either; he was doing them a favor. Similarly, the Davy Jones legend meant beyond just a pirate's game in pursuit of flags and crews.

In installment #1164 of One Piece, we witness the culmination of this theme. The entire Divine Isle narrative acts as a warning story, instructing audiences not to judge the individuals too hastily.

Myths frequently do not convey the complete reality, even for the most influential figures.

One Piece's most recent look back, chronicling the God Valley event, represents one of the story's finest arcs to date. Beyond the thrill of seeing icons in their peak, it's gripping to observe them prior to when they became symbols — when their reputation had still not outgrow their humanity. History, as written by the World Government and recounted through secondhand stories, painted our understanding of figures like Roger, Rocks D. Xebec, and including Garp. But each of the government's records and the stories of those who were acquainted with them turn out to be unreliable, showing only pieces of who these individuals truly were.

The Individual Prior to the Myth

Gol D. Roger may have been driven by mission and the daring attitude that ignited a fresh era of piracy, but before he was known as the Pirate King, he was a young man governed by emotion and wanderlust. When individuals discuss his myth, they typically refer to his second voyage, the epic expedition in search of the Road Poneglyphs that lead to Laugh Tale. Yet not much is known about his first journey, the one that shaped him prior to fame found him.

At that time, Roger knew little of the globe's hidden history. His affection for Shakky guided him to God Valley, where he discovered the Global Authority's darkest realities: the extermination "contests," the monstrous forms of the Gorosei, and including the presence of the planet's unseen sovereign, the mysterious leader. We are yet to witness Roger's thoughts about everything happening in God Valley, but perhaps discovering the son of a Holy Knight on his vessel will make him realize his role in the world and pursue the reality he caught a glimpse of from Xebec's predicament.

The Reality About The Infamous Captain

Prior to this recollection, what we knew of Rocks D. Xebec was derived almost entirely from the former Fleet Admiral's version, both to the audience and to new Navy recruits. He painted Rocks D. Xebec as a despicable, power-hungry man determined to achieve global control, someone so dangerous that Roger and Garp had to team up to overcome him. But as it transpires, Sengoku was not there at the Divine Isle; he was merely repeating the World Government's approved version of events, the very narrative Imu approved to bury the truth about Rocks D. Xebec and the event itself.

In reality, The captain, whose real name was Davy D. Xebec, was a ethical man who aimed to topple the ruler and dismantle the corrupt Global Authority. We don't know if he was motivated by ambition, revenge for his family, or a wish for justice, but when he found out the government's scheme to annihilate the island where his kin lived, he abandoned his dreams of conquest to save them.

This devotion for his relatives proved to be his downfall. After facing Imu, he lost his will and freedom, becoming a marionette controlled to their authority. Now, with what little consciousness is left, he begs with Gol D. Roger and Garp to kill him — thinking that death would be a kindness compared to the torment he suffers. The reality of Rocks D. Xebec is thus far from the story told by Sengoku, and the comic shows him in a positive manner during the God Valley incidents.

Is He Living Today?

But did Rocks D. Xebec actually die? 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, keeping the Global Authority's only remaining ancient stone in constant movement to prevent the ultimate treasure from being discovered.

The Hero's Secret Rebellion

A further protagonist of the Divine Isle incident is Monkey D. Garp, who has faced criticism from fans for a long time for standing by as Akainu killed Ace. That sentiment became even stronger after the timeskip, when he endangered everything to save Koby at Hachinosu, leading many to wonder why he couldn't do the identical for his biological grandson. Comparable doubts have recently resurfaced with the God Valley flashback: how could Garp work for the Marines, knowing the World Government treats mass murder and enslavement as sport for the upper class?

The truth reveals something distinct. The moment Monkey D. Garp saw the Gorosei's grotesque shapes, he struck without hesitation. His alliance with Gol D. Roger was not meant to defeat some villainous Xebec, but a courageous act of defiance, an effort to halt the sovereign, who was manipulating Rocks D. Xebec as a pawn to wipe out all in God Valley, including it seems, including the Celestial Dragons themselves. This incident is probably the reason Monkey D. Garp despises the World Nobles in the current era and why he not once wanted to be elevated to Fleet Admiral, answering straight to them.

The Past's Unreliable Storytellers

Although the audience are viewing the Divine Isle incident through a recollection recounted by the giant, covering perspectives and occurrences he obviously wasn't present for, I believe we can consider this version as completely accurate. The manga may offer an reason later, maybe connected to Loki's still mysterious paramecia ability. Still, the Divine Isle event excellently embodies the idea that history is recorded by the victors. This attitude is {