The Series' God Valley Recollection Reveals Why Myths Shouldn't Be Believed Without Question

The adage 'History is written by the winners' is a central motif that Eiichiro Oda's epic creator Eiichiro Oda has for some time woven into the narrative. Legends often do not convey the complete truth, including the most powerful characters in this story's intricate past. Kozuki Oden was no silly performer dancing through the streets of Wano; he behaved out of honor and principle. Bartholomew Kuma wasn't a ruthless villain who separated the Straw Hat Pirates, as well; he was doing them a favor. Likewise, Davy Jones signified beyond just a buccaneer's contest in search of flags and followers.

In chapter #1164 of the manga, we see the culmination of this idea. The whole Divine Isle narrative acts as a cautionary tale, advising audiences not to evaluate the individuals too hastily.

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

The series's most recent flashback, detailing the God Valley event, stands as one of the series' finest storylines to now. Beyond the excitement of seeing legends in their peak, it's gripping to observe them prior to when they became icons — when their reputation had still not outgrow their human nature. History, as written by the Global Authority and recounted through secondhand tales, painted our perception of individuals like Roger, Rocks D. Xebec, and even Garp. But each of the government's records and the stories of those who were acquainted with them prove unreliable, revealing only pieces of who these individuals really were.

The Man Before the Myth

Gol D. Roger may have been guided by purpose and the daring spirit that ignited a new age of buccaneering, but before he became the King of the Pirates, he was a youth ruled by emotion and the desire to explore. When individuals speak of his myth, they usually refer to his later journey, the epic expedition in search of the Road Poneglyphs that lead to Laugh Tale. However little is understood about his first journey, the one that shaped him before fame found him.

Back then, Gol D. Roger was largely unaware of the globe's hidden history. His love for the barkeep led him to the Divine Isle, where he discovered the World Government's darkest realities: the extermination "games," the monstrous forms of the Five Elders, and including the existence of the planet's hidden ruler, the mysterious leader. We are yet to witness Roger's reflections about all that's happening in the Divine Isle, but perhaps finding the child of a God's Knight on his vessel will make him realize his place in the world and seek the truth he caught a glimpse of from Xebec's situation.

The Reality About The Infamous Captain

Prior to this recollection, what we were aware of of Xebec came mostly from the former Fleet Admiral's account, both to the audience and to young Marines. He depicted Xebec as a vile, power-hungry man bent on world domination, someone so threatening that Roger and Garp had to join forces to overcome him. But as it transpires, Sengoku was not there at God Valley; he was merely echoing the Global Authority's approved narrative of occurrences, the exact story Imu authorized to bury the truth about Rocks D. Xebec and the incident itself.

In reality, Rocks D. Xebec, whose true name was Davy D. Xebec, was a principled man who aimed to overthrow the ruler and dismantle the decadent Global Authority. We are unsure if he was motivated by ambition, revenge for his clan, or a wish for justice, but when he found out the government's scheme to eliminate the land where his kin resided, he gave up his ambitions of conquest to rescue them.

This devotion for his family proved to be his undoing. After facing the sovereign, he forfeited his determination and freedom, becoming a puppet enslaved to their authority. Now, with what limited awareness remains, he begs with Gol D. Roger and Monkey D. Garp to end his life — believing that dying would be a kindness compared to the torment he suffers. The reality of Rocks is thus very different from the story narrated by the former Fleet Admiral, and the manga presents him in a positive manner during the God Valley incidents.

Could He Be Still Alive Today?

But did Rocks D. Xebec really die? An interesting 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 Poneglyph in constant transit to keep the One Piece from being found.

The Hero's Secret Defiance

Another protagonist of the Divine Isle event is Garp, who has faced backlash from fans for years for doing nothing as Admiral Akainu murdered Ace. That sentiment became even more intense after the timeskip, when he endangered all to rescue Koby at Pirate Island, leading many to question why he couldn't do the identical for his biological grandson. Comparable doubts have now resurfaced with the Divine Isle recollection: how could Monkey D. Garp serve the Navy, knowing the Global Authority treats genocide and enslavement as entertainment for the upper class?

The truth reveals something distinct. The instant Monkey D. Garp witnessed the Gorosei's monstrous forms, he attacked immediately. His alliance with Gol D. Roger was not meant to vanquish some villainous Xebec, but a bold act of defiance, an effort to halt the sovereign, who was manipulating Xebec as a tool to eliminate all in God Valley, even apparently, even the World Nobles themselves. This incident is probably the reason Garp despises the World Nobles in the present day and why he not once wanted to be promoted to Fleet Admiral, reporting directly to them.

History's Untrustworthy Narrators

Although the readers are viewing the God Valley event through a flashback recounted by the giant, covering perspectives and occurrences he clearly was absent for, I believe we can treat this version as entirely truthful. The manga may offer an explanation in the future, maybe connected to the giant's yet unknown Devil Fruit. Still, the God Valley incident excellently exemplifies the notion that the past is recorded by the victors. This attitude is {