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The saying 'The past is recorded by the winners' serves as a central theme that Eiichiro Oda's epic creator Eiichiro Oda has long woven into the narrative. Legends frequently do not convey the full truth, including the most influential figures in this story's complex history. Oden wasn't a silly performer dancing through the roads of Wano; he acted out of duty and principle. Kuma was not a merciless antagonist who separated the Straw Hats, as well; he was helping them. Likewise, the Davy Jones legend signified more than a pirate's contest in pursuit of flags and followers.

In chapter #1164 of the manga, we witness the culmination of this theme. The whole Divine Isle narrative acts as a warning story, instructing audiences not to judge the characters too quickly.

Myths frequently do not convey the complete truth, even for the most powerful figures.

One Piece's latest look back, detailing the Divine Isle event, stands as one of the series' best arcs to now. Apart from the excitement of seeing icons in their peak, it's gripping to see them prior to when they became symbols — when their reputation had still not surpass their human nature. History, as recorded by the World Government and recounted through secondhand stories, painted our perception of individuals like Gol D. Roger, Rocks D. Xebec, and even Garp. But each of the regime's records and the stories of those who knew them prove untrustworthy, revealing only fragments of who these men really were.

The Individual Prior to the Myth

The future Pirate King may have been driven by mission and the daring attitude that ignited a fresh era of buccaneering, but before he was known as the Pirate King, he was a young man ruled by passion and wanderlust. When individuals speak of his legend, they usually refer to his second voyage, the epic quest in pursuit of the Road Poneglyphs that point toward Laugh Tale. Yet not much is understood about his first journey, the one that molded him prior to glory discovered him.

At that time, Roger knew little of the globe's hidden history. His love for Shakky guided him to the Divine Isle, where he discovered the Global Authority's most sinister truths: the genocidal "contests," the grotesque appearances of the Five Elders, and even the existence of the planet's hidden sovereign, Imu. We are yet to witness Roger's thoughts about all that's occurring in the Divine Isle, but perhaps finding the child of a Holy Knight on his vessel will make him realize his place in the world and pursue the truth he glimpsed from Xebec's situation.

The Reality About Rocks D. Xebec

Before this flashback, what we knew of Xebec was derived mostly from Sengoku's account, each to the audience and to young Navy recruits. He painted Xebec as a despicable, ambitious man bent on world domination, someone so threatening that Roger and Garp had to team up to overcome him. But as it transpires, the strategist wasn't even present at God Valley; he was only echoing the World Government's approved narrative of events, the very narrative Imu authorized to conceal the truth about Xebec and the event itself.

In reality, Rocks D. Xebec, whose true name was Davy D. Xebec, was a ethical man who sought to topple the ruler and dismantle the decadent Global Authority. We are unsure if he was motivated by lust for power, revenge for his clan, or a desire for fairness, but when he discovered the government's scheme to eliminate the land where his family lived, he abandoned his ambitions of domination to save them.

This love for his relatives became his undoing. After confronting Imu, he forfeited his determination and liberty, becoming a marionette controlled to their power. Now, with what little consciousness is left, he begs with Gol D. Roger and Garp to end his life — believing that dying would be a kindness in contrast to the torment he suffers. The reality of Rocks D. Xebec is thus very different from the tale narrated by the former Fleet Admiral, and the comic presents him in a positive light during the Divine Isle events.

Is He Still Alive Today?

But was Rocks really meet his end? An intriguing theory is that he is even now a servant to the ruler in the current timeline, acting as The Man Marked By Flames, maintaining the Global Authority's last Poneglyph in continuous transit to keep the One Piece from being discovered.

Garp's Secret Rebellion

Another key figure of the Divine Isle event is Monkey D. Garp, who has faced backlash from followers for a long time for standing by as Akainu murdered Ace. That sentiment became even more intense after the timeskip, when he risked all to save the young Marine at Pirate Island, leading many to wonder why he was unable to do the identical for his biological grandchild. Similar questions have recently resurfaced with the Divine Isle recollection: how can Garp work for the Navy, knowing the Global Authority treats genocide and enslavement as entertainment for the elite?

The truth reveals something different. The instant Monkey D. Garp witnessed the Elders' grotesque shapes, he attacked without hesitation. His alliance with Gol D. Roger was not meant to vanquish some evil Xebec, but a bold act of defiance, an attempt to halt Imu, who was manipulating Rocks D. Xebec as a tool to wipe out all in the Divine Isle, including apparently, even the World Nobles themselves. This event is probably the cause Monkey D. Garp detests the World Nobles in the present day and why he not once desired to be promoted to Admiral, reporting straight to them.

The Past's Unreliable Narrators

Although the readers are viewing the Divine Isle event through a flashback recounted by the giant, covering viewpoints and events he clearly was absent for, I think we can treat this account as completely accurate. The manga may offer an reason later, maybe connected to the giant's still mysterious paramecia ability. Nevertheless, the God Valley event perfectly exemplifies the idea that history is recorded by the victors. This mindset is {