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The saying 'History is written by the victors' serves as a central motif that Eiichiro Oda's epic author Eiichiro Oda has long integrated into the narrative. Popular tales often fail to convey the complete reality, including the most powerful characters in this world's intricate history. Kozuki Oden wasn't a foolish performer prancing through the roads of Wano Country; he behaved out of duty and principle. Kuma was not a merciless villain who separated the Straw Hat Pirates, as well; he was helping them. Similarly, the Davy Jones legend meant beyond just a buccaneer's contest in search of flags and followers.

In installment #1164 of the manga, we witness the culmination of this idea. The entire Divine Isle story serves as a cautionary tale, instructing audiences not to evaluate the individuals too quickly.

Myths often do not capture the complete reality, even for the most influential characters.

The series's latest flashback, detailing the Divine Isle incident, stands as one of the series' best storylines to date. Apart from the thrill of seeing legends in their peak, it's gripping to see them before they turned into symbols — when their fame had yet to outgrow their human nature. History, as recorded by the Global Authority and retold through secondhand tales, painted our understanding of individuals like Gol D. Roger, Rocks D. Xebec, and including Monkey D. Garp. But both the regime's records and the stories of those who knew them turn out to be unreliable, showing only fragments of who these individuals really were.

The Man Prior to the Legend

The future Pirate King may have been guided by mission and the bold attitude that ignited a fresh era of buccaneering, but prior to he was known as the King of the Pirates, he was a youth governed by passion and the desire to explore. When individuals discuss his legend, they usually refer to his later journey, the grand quest in search of the guide stones that lead to Laugh Tale. However little is understood about his first journey, the one that shaped him prior to glory discovered him.

At that time, Gol D. Roger was largely unaware of the globe's secret history. His affection for the barkeep guided him to God Valley, where he uncovered the World Government's darkest truths: the genocidal "contests," the monstrous forms of the Five Elders, and even the presence of the world's unseen ruler, Imu. We haven't seen Roger's reflections about all that's happening in the Divine Isle, but perhaps discovering the son of a Holy Knight on his ship will lead him to understand his role in the globe and seek the truth he caught a glimpse of from Rocks D. Xebec's predicament.

The Reality About The Infamous Captain

Before this flashback, what we knew of Rocks D. Xebec was derived mostly from the former Fleet Admiral's account, both to the audience and to new Marines. He depicted Xebec as a despicable, power-hungry man determined to achieve global control, someone so dangerous that Roger and Garp had to team up to overcome him. But as it transpires, the strategist wasn't even present at the Divine Isle; he was only echoing the World Government's approved version of events, the exact narrative Imu authorized to conceal the truth about Rocks D. Xebec and the incident itself.

In reality, The captain, whose true name was Davy D. Xebec, was a principled man who aimed to overthrow the ruler and dismantle the decadent World Government. 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 abandoned his dreams of conquest to rescue them.

This love for his family proved to be his downfall. After facing Imu, he forfeited his determination and freedom, turning into a marionette controlled to their authority. Now, with what limited consciousness remains, he begs with Roger and Garp to kill him — believing that dying would be a kindness in contrast to the torment he endures. The reality of Rocks is thus far from the tale told by the former Fleet Admiral, and the manga shows him in a favorable manner during the God Valley events.

Is He Still Alive Today?

But did Rocks really meet his end? An interesting theory is that he is still a servant to Imu in the current timeline, serving as the scarred individual, keeping the Global Authority's last ancient stone in constant movement to keep the ultimate treasure from being discovered.

Garp's Secret Rebellion

Another protagonist of the God Valley event is Monkey D. Garp, who has faced criticism from followers for years for doing nothing as Admiral Akainu killed Portgas D. Ace. That sentiment became even more intense after the timeskip, when he endangered everything to save the young Marine at Pirate Island, causing many to question why he couldn't do the same for his own grandchild. Comparable doubts have recently reemerged with the Divine Isle recollection: how could Monkey D. Garp serve the Navy, knowing the Global Authority treats genocide and slavery as entertainment for the upper class?

The truth reveals something different. The instant Monkey D. Garp saw the Elders' monstrous forms, he attacked immediately. His alliance with Roger wasn't to defeat some evil Rocks D. Xebec, but a bold act of rebellion, an effort to halt Imu, who was using Rocks D. Xebec as a tool to wipe out all in the Divine Isle, including apparently, even the World Nobles themselves. This incident is likely the reason Garp despises the Celestial Dragons in the current era and why he not once wanted to be elevated to Admiral, reporting straight to them.

History's Untrustworthy Storytellers

Although the readers are viewing the God Valley incident through a flashback narrated by the giant, including viewpoints and occurrences he clearly was absent for, I believe we can treat this version as entirely truthful. The series may offer an explanation later, maybe linked to Loki's still mysterious Devil Fruit. Still, the Divine Isle incident perfectly embodies the idea that history is written by the victors. This mindset is {