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The adage 'History is recorded by the victors' serves as a key theme that Eiichiro Oda's epic author Eiichiro Oda has for some time integrated into the narrative. Popular tales frequently fail to convey the full reality, even for the most powerful characters in this world's complex history. Oden wasn't a silly performer prancing through the streets of Wano; he acted out of honor and conviction. Bartholomew Kuma was not a ruthless villain who separated the Straw Hat Pirates, as well; he was doing them a favor. Similarly, the Davy Jones legend signified more than a buccaneer's contest in pursuit of emblems and followers.

In installment #1164 of One Piece, we witness the peak of this theme. The whole Divine Isle story acts as a warning story, instructing audiences not to judge the individuals too quickly.

Myths often do not convey the complete reality, including the most influential characters.

The series's most recent look back, detailing the Divine Isle incident, stands as one of the series' best storylines to now. Beyond the thrill of seeing legends in their prime, it's gripping to observe them before they became symbols — when their fame had still not surpass their human nature. The past, as recorded by the Global Authority and retold through hearsay tales, painted our perception of figures like Gol D. Roger, Rocks D. Xebec, and including Garp. But both the regime's records and the stories of those who were acquainted with them turn out to be unreliable, revealing only pieces of who these individuals truly were.

The Individual Before the Legend

Gol D. Roger may have been guided by mission and the daring spirit that ignited a new age of piracy, but prior to he became the King of the Pirates, he was a youth governed by emotion and the desire to explore. When people discuss his myth, they typically mean his later journey, the epic expedition in search of the guide stones that point toward the final island. However little is understood about his initial travels, the one that shaped him before fame discovered him.

At that time, Roger was largely unaware of the world's secret history. His love for the barkeep guided him to the Divine Isle, where he uncovered the World Government's darkest truths: the extermination "games," the grotesque appearances of the Gorosei, and including the presence of the world's unseen ruler, the mysterious leader. We haven't seen Gol D. Roger's reflections about everything occurring in God Valley, but maybe discovering the son of a God's Knight on his vessel will make him realize his role in the globe and pursue 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 came mostly from Sengoku's account, each to the viewers and to young Marines. He depicted Rocks D. Xebec as a vile, power-hungry man determined to achieve global control, someone so threatening that Gol D. Roger and Garp had to join forces to overcome him. But as it turns out, Sengoku was not present at God Valley; he was merely repeating the Global Authority's approved version of events, the very narrative the sovereign authorized to bury the truth about Rocks D. Xebec and the event itself.

In reality, The captain, whose true name was Davy D. Xebec, was a ethical man who sought to overthrow Imu and dismantle the decadent 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 government's plan to eliminate the island where his kin lived, he gave up his ambitions of conquest to rescue them.

This love for his relatives became his undoing. Upon facing Imu, he forfeited his determination and liberty, becoming a puppet controlled to their power. Currently, with what little awareness is left, he pleads with Gol D. Roger and Garp to end his life — believing that death would be a mercy 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 Divine Isle incidents.

Could He Be Living Today?

But did Rocks actually die? An intriguing idea is that he is even now a slave to Imu in the current timeline, acting as The Man Marked By Flames, maintaining the World Government's last ancient stone in constant transit to prevent the ultimate treasure from being discovered.

The Hero's Secret Defiance

Another key figure of the Divine Isle event is Garp, who has faced criticism from fans for years for doing nothing as Akainu killed Portgas D. Ace. That feeling only grew stronger after the timeskip, when he risked all to rescue the young Marine at Hachinosu, causing many to question why he was unable to do the identical for his own grandchild. Comparable doubts have recently reemerged with the God Valley recollection: how can Garp work for the Navy, knowing the Global Authority treats genocide and enslavement as sport for the elite?

The truth uncovers something different. The instant Monkey D. Garp witnessed the Elders' grotesque forms, he attacked immediately. His partnership with Gol D. Roger wasn't to vanquish some villainous Xebec, but a bold act of defiance, an effort to halt the sovereign, who was using Rocks D. Xebec as a pawn to eliminate everyone in the Divine Isle, including it seems, even the Celestial Dragons themselves. This event is probably the cause Garp detests the World Nobles in the current era and why he not once wanted to be promoted to Admiral, answering directly to them.

The Past's Untrustworthy Narrators

Although the readers are viewing the Divine Isle incident through a recollection narrated by Loki, covering viewpoints and occurrences he obviously was absent for, I believe we can treat this version as entirely accurate. The manga may offer an explanation later, maybe connected to the giant's yet unknown paramecia ability. Still, the God Valley event perfectly embodies the notion that history is recorded by the victors. This attitude is {