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The saying 'The past is recorded by the winners' is a central theme that Eiichiro Oda's epic author Eiichiro Oda has long woven into the story. Legends frequently fail to capture the full truth, including the most powerful figures in this world's complex past. Kozuki Oden was no silly performer dancing through the streets of Wano; he acted out of duty and principle. Kuma wasn't a ruthless villain who tore apart the Straw Hats, either; he was helping them. Similarly, Davy Jones signified beyond just a buccaneer's contest in pursuit of emblems and followers.

In chapter #1164 of the manga, we witness the peak of this theme. The entire Divine Isle narrative serves as a cautionary tale, instructing readers not to judge the characters too hastily.

Myths often fail to capture the complete reality, including the most powerful figures.

The series's latest flashback, chronicling the Divine Isle incident, represents one of the story's finest storylines to date. Apart from the excitement of seeing legends in their prime, it's compelling to see them prior to when they became icons — when their reputation had yet to surpass their humanity. History, as written by the World Government and retold through hearsay tales, shaped our perception of individuals like Roger, Xebec, and even Monkey D. Garp. But each of the regime's accounts and the narratives of those who were acquainted with them turn out to be untrustworthy, revealing only pieces of who these individuals truly were.

The Individual Before the Myth

Gol D. Roger may have been driven by mission and the daring attitude that ignited a fresh era of piracy, but prior to he was known as the King of the Pirates, he was a young man governed by passion and wanderlust. When individuals speak of his myth, they typically refer to his later journey, the grand quest in pursuit of the Road Poneglyphs that lead to Laugh Tale. However little is understood about his first journey, the one that molded him prior to fame found him.

At that time, Gol D. Roger was largely unaware of the world's hidden history. His affection for the barkeep guided him to God Valley, where he uncovered the Global Authority's darkest truths: the genocidal "contests," the monstrous appearances of the Five Elders, and even the existence of the world's unseen ruler, Imu. We are yet to witness Roger's reflections about everything happening in the Divine Isle, but maybe finding the child of a Holy Knight on his ship will make him realize his role in the world and pursue the truth he caught a glimpse of from Rocks D. Xebec's situation.

The Truth About The Infamous Captain

Prior to this flashback, what we knew of Rocks D. Xebec was derived almost entirely from Sengoku's account, each to the audience and to young Marines. He depicted Rocks D. Xebec as a vile, power-hungry man bent on global control, someone so dangerous that Roger and Monkey D. Garp had to team up to overcome him. But as it turns out, Sengoku was not present at the Divine Isle; he was only repeating the World Government's approved narrative of events, the exact story the sovereign authorized to bury the truth about Xebec and the event itself.

In truth, The captain, whose real name was Davy D. Xebec, was a principled man who sought to topple the ruler and dismantle the corrupt World Government. We don't know if he was motivated by lust for power, revenge for his clan, or a wish for fairness, but when he found out the regime's plan to annihilate the island where his kin lived, he gave up his dreams of conquest to save them.

This devotion for his relatives proved to be his downfall. Upon confronting the sovereign, he lost his will and liberty, becoming a puppet controlled to their power. Currently, with what little consciousness remains, he begs with Gol D. Roger and Monkey D. Garp to kill him — believing that dying would be a kindness compared to the torment he endures. The truth of Rocks is thus far from the tale narrated by the former Fleet Admiral, and the comic presents him in a favorable manner during the Divine Isle incidents.

Is He Still Alive Today?

But was Rocks really die? An intriguing theory is that he is even now a slave to the ruler in the current timeline, serving as the scarred individual, keeping the Global Authority's only remaining ancient stone in constant transit to keep the ultimate treasure from being found.

The Hero's Hidden Rebellion

A further protagonist of the Divine Isle event is Monkey D. Garp, who has endured backlash from fans for a long time for standing by as Admiral Akainu killed Ace. That sentiment became even more intense after the time jump, when he endangered all to save the young Marine at Pirate Island, leading many to question why he was unable to do the same for his biological grandson. Comparable questions have now resurfaced with the God Valley flashback: how could Garp work for the Navy, aware the World Government treats mass murder and slavery as entertainment for the upper class?

The truth reveals something different. The instant Monkey D. Garp witnessed the Gorosei's grotesque shapes, he struck without hesitation. His alliance with Roger was not meant to defeat some villainous Xebec, but a bold act of defiance, an attempt to stop Imu, who was using Rocks D. Xebec as a tool to eliminate all in God Valley, including apparently, even the Celestial Dragons themselves. This incident is likely the reason Monkey D. Garp despises the World Nobles in the present day and why he never desired to be promoted to Admiral, answering straight to them.

The Past's Untrustworthy Storytellers

Although the readers are viewing the God Valley incident through a recollection narrated by Loki, including perspectives and events he obviously wasn't present for, I think we can consider this account as completely truthful. The manga may offer an explanation in the future, perhaps linked to the giant's yet unknown Devil Fruit. Still, the God Valley event excellently embodies the notion that history is written by the victors. This mindset is {