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The saying 'History is written by the winners' serves as a central motif that Eiichiro Oda's epic creator Eiichiro Oda has long integrated into the narrative. Popular tales often fail to capture the complete reality, even for the most powerful figures in this story's intricate history. Kozuki Oden was no foolish showman prancing through the streets of Wano Country; he behaved out of honor and principle. Kuma wasn't a ruthless villain who tore apart the Straw Hat Pirates, either; he was doing them a favor. Likewise, the Davy Jones legend meant beyond just a buccaneer's game in pursuit of flags and crews.

In installment #1164 of One Piece, we see the culmination of this idea. The whole Divine Isle story acts as a cautionary tale, advising audiences not to judge the characters too quickly.

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

The series's latest look back, detailing the Divine Isle incident, stands as one of the series' best arcs to date. Beyond the excitement of seeing legends in their prime, it's compelling to see them before they turned into symbols — when their fame had still not surpass their humanity. The past, as recorded by the Global Authority and retold through hearsay stories, painted our perception of individuals like Gol D. Roger, Xebec, and even Garp. But each of the regime's accounts and the narratives of those who knew them turn out to be unreliable, showing only fragments of who these men 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 piracy, but prior to he was known as the Pirate King, he was a youth governed by emotion and the desire to explore. When individuals discuss his legend, they usually mean his second voyage, the grand expedition in search of the Road Poneglyphs that point toward the final island. Yet little is understood about his initial travels, the one that molded him before glory found him.

At that time, Gol D. Roger was largely unaware of the world's hidden history. His love for the barkeep guided him to the Divine Isle, where he discovered the World Government's darkest truths: the extermination "contests," the monstrous appearances of the Gorosei, and even the presence of the world's hidden ruler, Imu. We are yet to witness Gol D. Roger's reflections about everything happening in the Divine Isle, but perhaps finding the son of a Holy Knight on his ship will make him realize his role in the world and seek the truth he glimpsed from Xebec's predicament.

The Truth About The Infamous Captain

Prior to this flashback, what we were aware of of Xebec came mostly from the former Fleet Admiral's account, both to the audience and to young Navy recruits. He painted Rocks D. Xebec as a vile, power-hungry man bent on global control, someone so dangerous that Roger and Monkey D. Garp had to join forces to defeat him. But as it transpires, the strategist wasn't even present at God Valley; he was only echoing the World Government's approved version of occurrences, the exact story the sovereign approved to conceal the truth about Xebec and the incident itself.

In truth, The captain, whose true name was Davy D. Xebec, was a ethical man who sought to overthrow Imu and dismantle the corrupt Global Authority. We don't know if he was motivated by lust for power, retribution for his clan, or a desire for justice, but when he discovered the regime's scheme to eliminate the island where his kin lived, he gave up his ambitions of conquest to save them.

This love for his family proved to be his downfall. Upon facing Imu, he lost his determination and freedom, turning into a puppet controlled to their power. Currently, with what limited consciousness is left, he pleads with Gol D. Roger and Garp to kill him — thinking that dying would be a mercy in contrast to the living hell he endures. The reality of Rocks is thus far from the tale told by the former Fleet Admiral, and the manga presents him in a positive manner during the God Valley events.

Is He Still Alive Today?

But did Rocks D. Xebec really die? An intriguing theory is that he is still a slave to the ruler in the present day, serving as The Man Marked By Flames, maintaining the Global Authority's only remaining ancient stone in continuous transit to prevent the ultimate treasure from being discovered.

The Hero's Secret Defiance

Another protagonist of the Divine Isle incident is Garp, who has faced backlash from followers for a long time for doing nothing as Admiral Akainu killed Ace. That sentiment only grew stronger after the time jump, when he endangered all to save Koby at Hachinosu, leading many to wonder why he couldn't do the same for his own grandson. Comparable questions have now reemerged with the God Valley flashback: how could Monkey D. Garp serve the Marines, aware the World Government considers genocide and enslavement as sport for the elite?

The truth reveals something different. The moment Monkey D. Garp saw the Gorosei's monstrous shapes, he attacked immediately. His partnership with Roger wasn't to vanquish some villainous Xebec, but a bold act of rebellion, an effort to stop the sovereign, who was using Rocks D. Xebec as a pawn to wipe out everyone in God Valley, including it seems, including the World Nobles themselves. This event is likely the reason Monkey D. Garp despises the Celestial Dragons in the present day and why he never wanted to be elevated to Fleet Admiral, reporting straight to them.

The Past's Untrustworthy Storytellers

Although the audience are seeing the God Valley incident through a recollection narrated by Loki, covering perspectives and events he clearly wasn't present for, I think we can treat this account as entirely truthful. The series may offer an reason in the future, maybe linked to the giant's yet unknown paramecia ability. Nevertheless, the Divine Isle event excellently embodies the idea that history is recorded by the victors. This mindset is {