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The saying 'History is recorded by the victors' is a central motif that Eiichiro Oda's epic creator Eiichiro Oda has long woven into the narrative. Legends frequently fail to convey the full reality, even for the most powerful figures in this story's intricate past. Kozuki Oden wasn't a foolish performer prancing through the roads of Wano; he acted out of honor and principle. Kuma wasn't a ruthless antagonist who separated the Straw Hats, either; he was helping them. Similarly, Davy Jones signified more than a pirate's contest in pursuit of flags and followers.

In installment #1164 of One Piece, we witness the culmination of this theme. The whole God Valley story acts as a cautionary tale, advising audiences not to judge the characters too hastily.

Myths frequently fail to capture the complete reality, even for the most powerful characters.

The series's latest flashback, detailing the God Valley incident, stands as one of the series' best arcs to date. Beyond the excitement of seeing icons in their prime, it's compelling to observe them prior to when they became symbols — when their reputation had yet to surpass their human nature. History, as written by the World Government and recounted through hearsay tales, painted our understanding of individuals like Gol D. Roger, Rocks D. Xebec, and even Monkey D. Garp. But each of the regime's accounts and the narratives of those who knew them prove unreliable, revealing only fragments of who these men truly were.

The Man Before the Legend

The future Pirate King may have been driven by purpose and the bold attitude that sparked a fresh era of piracy, but before he became the King of the Pirates, he was a young man governed by passion and wanderlust. When individuals discuss his myth, they typically refer to his later journey, the epic expedition in search of the guide stones that point toward the final island. Yet little is known about his first journey, the one that molded him before fame discovered him.

Back then, Roger knew little of the globe's secret history. His affection for the barkeep led him to God Valley, where he uncovered the Global Authority's most sinister realities: the extermination "games," the monstrous appearances of the Five Elders, and even the existence of the world's unseen ruler, Imu. We are yet to witness Gol D. Roger's thoughts about all that's happening in God Valley, but perhaps discovering the son of a Holy Knight on his vessel will make him realize his place in the world and seek the truth he caught a glimpse of from Rocks D. Xebec's predicament.

The Truth About The Infamous Captain

Prior to this recollection, what we were aware of of Rocks D. Xebec was derived mostly from the former Fleet Admiral's account, both to the viewers and to new Marines. He painted Rocks D. Xebec as a vile, power-hungry man determined to achieve world domination, someone so dangerous that Roger and Garp had to join forces to defeat him. But as it transpires, the strategist was not present at the Divine Isle; he was only repeating the World Government's sanctioned version of occurrences, the exact story Imu approved to conceal the reality about Rocks D. Xebec and the incident itself.

In truth, The captain, whose true name was Davy D. Xebec, was a principled man who aimed to topple the ruler and dismantle the corrupt World Government. We are unsure if he was guided by lust for power, retribution for his family, or a desire for justice, but when he discovered the government's scheme to eliminate the island where his kin lived, he abandoned his dreams of domination to rescue them.

This devotion for his relatives became his downfall. After facing Imu, he forfeited his determination and liberty, turning into a marionette controlled to their authority. Now, with what limited consciousness remains, he pleads with Gol D. Roger and Monkey D. Garp to end his life — thinking that dying would be a kindness in contrast to the torment he endures. The truth of Rocks is thus far from the story narrated by the former Fleet Admiral, and the manga presents him in a positive manner during the God Valley events.

Could He Be Living Today?

But was Rocks actually meet his end? An intriguing idea is that he is still a servant to the ruler in the current timeline, acting as The Man Marked By Flames, maintaining the World Government's only remaining Poneglyph in continuous transit to prevent the One Piece from being discovered.

Garp's Secret Defiance

Another key figure of the God Valley incident is Garp, who has endured backlash from fans for years for doing nothing as Admiral Akainu murdered Ace. That feeling only grew more intense after the timeskip, when he risked all to rescue Koby at Pirate Island, leading many to question why he was unable to do the identical for his own grandson. Comparable doubts have recently resurfaced with the Divine Isle recollection: how can Monkey D. Garp work for the Navy, knowing the Global Authority considers mass murder and slavery as entertainment for the elite?

The truth reveals something different. The moment Monkey D. Garp witnessed the Gorosei's grotesque forms, he attacked immediately. His partnership with Gol D. Roger was not meant to defeat some villainous Xebec, but a courageous act of rebellion, an effort to stop Imu, who was manipulating Rocks D. Xebec as a pawn to eliminate everyone in God Valley, including apparently, including the World Nobles themselves. This incident is likely the reason Garp despises the Celestial Dragons in the current era and why he never wanted to be elevated to Fleet Admiral, answering directly to them.

History's Untrustworthy Narrators

Although the readers are viewing the God Valley event through a recollection narrated by Loki, including viewpoints and occurrences he obviously was absent for, I believe we can treat this version as entirely accurate. The series may offer an explanation in the future, maybe connected to Loki's still mysterious paramecia ability. Still, the God Valley incident excellently embodies the idea that the past is recorded by the victors. This mindset is {