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The saying 'History is recorded by the winners' is a central theme that Eiichiro Oda's epic author Eiichiro Oda has long integrated into the story. Legends often fail to capture the full reality, including the most powerful figures in this story's complex past. Oden was no foolish performer prancing through the streets of Wano; he behaved out of duty and conviction. Bartholomew Kuma was not a ruthless villain who separated the Straw Hats, as well; he was helping them. Similarly, Davy Jones signified beyond just a buccaneer's contest in search of emblems and followers.

In chapter #1164 of One Piece, we witness the peak of this idea. The whole Divine Isle story serves as a warning story, instructing readers not to judge the individuals too hastily.

Legends often fail to convey the complete truth, even for the most influential characters.

The series's most recent look back, detailing the Divine Isle incident, stands as one of the story's best storylines to now. Beyond the thrill of seeing legends in their prime, it's compelling to observe them prior to when they turned into icons — when their reputation had yet to outgrow their humanity. The past, as written by the World Government and retold through hearsay stories, painted our perception of individuals like Gol D. Roger, Rocks D. Xebec, and even Monkey D. Garp. But both the regime's records and the stories of those who were acquainted with them turn out to be untrustworthy, showing only pieces of who these individuals really were.

The Individual Before the Legend

Gol D. Roger may have been guided by mission and the daring attitude that ignited a new age of buccaneering, but before he was known as the Pirate King, he was a youth governed by passion and the desire to explore. When individuals discuss his legend, they usually mean his later journey, the grand expedition in search of the guide stones that lead to Laugh Tale. Yet not much is known about his first journey, the one that molded him before glory discovered him.

At that time, Roger knew little of the globe's hidden history. His affection for Shakky led him to God Valley, where he uncovered the Global Authority's darkest truths: the extermination "games," the monstrous forms of the Five Elders, and even the existence of the planet's hidden sovereign, Imu. We are yet to witness Gol D. Roger's reflections about all that's occurring in the Divine Isle, but maybe finding the son of a Holy Knight on his ship will make him realize his place in the globe and seek the reality he caught a glimpse of from Rocks D. Xebec's situation.

The Truth About Rocks D. Xebec

Prior to this recollection, what we were aware of of Rocks D. Xebec was derived mostly from Sengoku's version, both to the viewers and to new Navy recruits. He depicted Rocks D. Xebec as a despicable, power-hungry man bent on global control, someone so threatening that Gol D. Roger and Garp had to team up to overcome him. But as it transpires, the strategist was not present at God Valley; he was only echoing the Global Authority's sanctioned version of events, the exact story Imu authorized to bury the reality about Rocks D. Xebec and the event itself.

In reality, Rocks D. Xebec, whose real name was Davy D. Xebec, was a principled man who aimed to overthrow Imu and dismantle the decadent Global Authority. We are unsure if he was motivated by ambition, retribution for his family, or a desire for fairness, but when he found out the government's plan to eliminate the land where his family resided, he gave up his dreams of domination to rescue them.

This love for his relatives became his downfall. After confronting Imu, he lost his determination and freedom, becoming a puppet controlled to their power. Now, with what little awareness is left, he begs with Roger and Monkey D. Garp to kill him — believing that dying would be a kindness compared to the torment he suffers. The reality of Rocks D. Xebec is thus far from the tale told by the former Fleet Admiral, and the manga shows him in a positive light during the God Valley incidents.

Is He Still Alive Today?

But did Rocks really meet his end? An intriguing idea is that he is still a slave to the ruler in the current timeline, acting as the scarred individual, maintaining the Global Authority's only remaining Poneglyph in constant movement to prevent the One Piece from being found.

Garp's Secret Defiance

A further key figure of the Divine Isle event is Garp, who has endured backlash from followers for a long time for standing by as Akainu killed Ace. That sentiment only grew more intense after the time jump, when he risked all to save the young Marine at Pirate Island, causing many to question why he couldn't do the same for his biological grandchild. Similar questions have recently resurfaced with the Divine Isle flashback: how can Garp serve the Navy, knowing the Global Authority treats genocide and enslavement as sport for the elite?

The truth uncovers something distinct. The moment Garp witnessed the Elders' grotesque shapes, he struck immediately. His partnership with Gol D. Roger was not meant to vanquish some villainous Xebec, but a bold act of rebellion, an effort to halt the sovereign, who was using Xebec as a tool to wipe out everyone in the Divine Isle, even it seems, even the Celestial Dragons themselves. This incident is probably the reason Monkey D. Garp detests the World Nobles in the current era and why he not once desired to be elevated to Admiral, answering straight to them.

The Past's Untrustworthy Narrators

Even though the readers are seeing the God Valley incident through a flashback recounted by Loki, including perspectives and events he obviously wasn't present for, I believe we can treat this version as completely truthful. The series may offer an reason later, maybe linked to the giant's yet unknown Devil Fruit. Still, the God Valley event perfectly exemplifies the notion that history is written by the victors. This mindset is {