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The saying 'History is written by the victors' is a key motif that Eiichiro Oda's epic author Eiichiro Oda has for some time integrated into the narrative. Popular tales frequently fail to capture the full truth, even for the most powerful figures in this story's complex history. Oden was no silly showman prancing through the streets of Wano; he behaved out of honor and principle. Kuma wasn't a ruthless villain who separated the Straw Hat Pirates, as well; he was doing them a favor. Similarly, the Davy Jones legend signified more than a pirate's contest in pursuit of flags and crews.

In chapter #1164 of the manga, we see the peak of this idea. The whole God Valley story serves as a warning story, advising audiences not to evaluate the characters too quickly.

Myths often do not convey the full truth, including the most influential characters.

One Piece's most recent look back, detailing the Divine Isle event, represents one of the story's best arcs to date. Beyond the thrill of witnessing icons in their peak, it's gripping to observe them prior to when they became symbols — when their fame had still not outgrow their human nature. History, as recorded by the World Government and recounted through hearsay stories, painted our perception of individuals like Gol D. Roger, Xebec, and including Monkey D. Garp. But each of the regime's records and the stories of those who knew them prove unreliable, showing only pieces of who these individuals truly were.

The Man Prior to the Myth

The future Pirate King may have been guided by purpose and the daring attitude that ignited a fresh era of piracy, but before he became the King of the Pirates, he was a young man governed by passion and the desire to explore. When individuals speak of his legend, they typically 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 first journey, the one that molded him prior to fame discovered him.

Back then, Roger was largely unaware of the globe's secret past. His love for the barkeep led him to God Valley, where he uncovered the World Government's darkest realities: the extermination "contests," the grotesque appearances of the Five Elders, and including the existence of the world's unseen ruler, Imu. We are yet to witness Gol D. Roger's thoughts about everything happening in God Valley, but perhaps finding the child of a Holy Knight on his ship will lead him to understand his place in the globe and seek the reality he caught a glimpse of from Xebec's predicament.

The Truth About Rocks D. Xebec

Prior to this recollection, what we knew of Xebec came mostly from the former Fleet Admiral's account, both to the viewers and to young Navy recruits. He depicted Xebec as a despicable, ambitious man determined to achieve global control, someone so threatening that Roger and Garp had to team up to overcome him. But as it turns out, the strategist wasn't even there at God Valley; he was only echoing the World Government's sanctioned version of occurrences, the very narrative the sovereign approved to bury the reality about Xebec and the event itself.

In truth, Rocks D. Xebec, whose true name was Davy D. Xebec, was a ethical man who aimed to overthrow Imu and dismantle the corrupt World Government. We don't know if he was motivated by lust for power, retribution for his family, or a wish for justice, but when he found out the regime's scheme to annihilate the island where his kin lived, he gave up his dreams of conquest to save them.

This devotion for his family proved to be his downfall. After confronting Imu, he lost his determination and freedom, turning into a puppet enslaved to their authority. Now, with what limited awareness is left, he begs with Roger and Garp to kill him — thinking that death would be a mercy compared to the living hell he endures. The truth of Rocks is thus far from the story narrated by the former Fleet Admiral, and the comic shows him in a positive manner during the God Valley events.

Could He Be Still Alive Today?

But was Rocks actually die? An intriguing theory is that he is still a slave to Imu in the current timeline, acting as the scarred individual, maintaining the Global Authority's last ancient stone in continuous transit to prevent the One Piece from being discovered.

Garp's Hidden Defiance

Another protagonist of the God Valley event is Monkey D. Garp, who has faced criticism from followers for years for doing nothing as Akainu killed Portgas D. Ace. That sentiment only grew stronger after the timeskip, when he risked everything to rescue Koby at Pirate Island, causing many to wonder why he was unable to do the identical for his biological grandson. Similar doubts have now reemerged with the God Valley flashback: how can Monkey D. Garp work for the Navy, aware the World Government treats genocide and enslavement as entertainment for the upper class?

The truth uncovers something different. The moment Monkey D. Garp saw the Elders' grotesque forms, he struck without hesitation. His alliance with Roger wasn't to defeat some villainous Rocks D. Xebec, but a courageous act of rebellion, an effort to stop Imu, who was manipulating Xebec as a tool to eliminate everyone in God Valley, including apparently, even the World Nobles themselves. This event is probably the reason Garp detests the Celestial Dragons in the current era and why he never desired to be promoted to Fleet Admiral, answering straight to them.

The Past's Untrustworthy Narrators

Even though the readers are seeing the God Valley incident through a flashback narrated by Loki, covering viewpoints and occurrences he obviously wasn't present for, I believe we can consider this account as entirely truthful. The manga may provide an explanation later, perhaps linked to Loki's yet unknown Devil Fruit. Nevertheless, the Divine Isle incident perfectly embodies the notion that the past is recorded by the victors. This mindset is {