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The saying 'History is written by the victors' serves as a key theme that One Piece author Eiichiro Oda has long woven into the story. Legends frequently do not convey the full truth, even for the most powerful characters in this world's complex history. Oden was no silly showman dancing through the roads of Wano; he behaved out of honor and principle. Bartholomew Kuma was not a merciless villain who separated the Straw Hats, as well; he was helping them. Likewise, the Davy Jones legend signified beyond just a buccaneer's contest in pursuit of flags and followers.

In chapter #1164 of the manga, we witness the peak of this idea. The entire Divine Isle narrative acts as a warning story, advising readers not to evaluate the characters too hastily.

Myths often fail to convey the full reality, even for the most influential figures.

The series's latest flashback, detailing the God Valley incident, stands as one of the series' finest storylines to date. Beyond the excitement of seeing legends in their prime, it's gripping to see them before they turned into icons — when their reputation had still not outgrow their human nature. History, as written by the Global Authority and retold through secondhand tales, painted our perception of individuals like Roger, Rocks D. Xebec, and even Monkey D. Garp. But both the regime's records and the stories of those who knew them prove untrustworthy, showing only pieces of who these men truly were.

The Man Prior to the Legend

Gol D. Roger may have been guided 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 passion and wanderlust. When individuals discuss his myth, they usually mean his later journey, the epic expedition in search of the Road Poneglyphs that point toward the final island. However not much is understood about his initial travels, the one that molded him prior to glory found him.

At that time, Gol D. Roger was largely unaware of the world's secret history. His love for Shakky led him to the Divine Isle, where he uncovered the Global Authority's darkest realities: the extermination "games," the grotesque appearances of the Five Elders, and including the existence of the planet's hidden ruler, the mysterious leader. We are yet to witness Gol D. Roger's thoughts about all that's occurring in the Divine Isle, but perhaps finding the son of a God's Knight on his ship will make him realize his place in the globe and seek the truth he caught a glimpse of from Xebec's predicament.

The Truth About Rocks D. Xebec

Before this flashback, what we were aware of of Rocks D. Xebec came almost entirely from Sengoku's version, both to the audience and to new Navy recruits. He depicted Rocks D. Xebec as a vile, power-hungry man bent on global control, someone so threatening that Roger and Garp had to team up to overcome him. But as it turns out, Sengoku was not there at God Valley; he was only repeating the Global Authority's sanctioned version of occurrences, the very story Imu 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 principled man who aimed to overthrow the ruler and dismantle the decadent Global Authority. We don't know if he was motivated by ambition, retribution for his clan, or a desire for justice, but when he found out the government's scheme to eliminate the island where his family lived, he gave up his dreams of domination to save them.

This devotion for his family became his downfall. After confronting the sovereign, he forfeited his will and freedom, becoming a puppet enslaved to their authority. Currently, with what little awareness is left, he begs with Gol D. Roger and Garp to end his life — believing that death would be a mercy compared to the living hell he endures. The truth of Rocks D. Xebec is thus far from the story told by the former Fleet Admiral, and the manga shows him in a positive light during the Divine Isle events.

Is He Living Today?

But was Rocks really meet his end? An intriguing theory is that he is still a slave to Imu in the current timeline, serving as the scarred individual, keeping the World Government's last ancient stone in continuous movement to keep the ultimate treasure from being found.

Garp's Hidden Rebellion

Another key figure of the Divine Isle incident is Garp, who has faced backlash from fans for years for standing by as Admiral Akainu murdered Ace. That feeling became even stronger after the timeskip, when he risked everything to rescue Koby at Pirate Island, leading many to wonder why he couldn't do the identical for his own grandson. Comparable doubts have recently reemerged with the God Valley recollection: how can Monkey D. Garp work for the Navy, aware the Global Authority considers genocide and slavery as entertainment for the elite?

The truth uncovers something distinct. The moment Garp saw the Gorosei's grotesque forms, he attacked without hesitation. His partnership with Gol D. Roger wasn't to vanquish some evil Rocks D. Xebec, but a courageous act of defiance, an attempt to halt Imu, who was manipulating Xebec as a pawn to eliminate everyone in God Valley, even it seems, including the Celestial Dragons themselves. This event is probably the reason Monkey D. Garp despises the World Nobles in the present day and why he not once wanted 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 Loki, including perspectives and occurrences he clearly wasn't present for, I believe we can consider this version as completely accurate. The series may provide an explanation in the future, perhaps connected to Loki's yet unknown Devil Fruit. Nevertheless, the Divine Isle event excellently embodies the idea that the past is written by the winners. This attitude is {