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The saying 'History is recorded by the winners' is a key theme that Eiichiro Oda's epic author Eiichiro Oda has for some time woven into the narrative. Popular tales often fail to capture the complete truth, including the most powerful figures in this world's intricate past. Kozuki Oden wasn't a foolish performer prancing through the roads of Wano; he acted out of honor and conviction. Kuma was not a ruthless antagonist who tore apart the Straw Hat Pirates, as well; he was doing them a favor. Likewise, Davy Jones meant beyond just a buccaneer's game in pursuit of emblems and crews.

In chapter #1164 of One Piece, we witness the culmination of this theme. The whole Divine Isle story serves as a cautionary tale, instructing audiences not to judge the individuals too hastily.

Myths frequently fail to convey the full reality, including the most influential figures.

The series's most recent look back, detailing the Divine Isle event, represents one of the series' finest storylines to date. Apart from the excitement of seeing legends in their peak, it's gripping to see them prior to when they became icons — when their reputation had yet to surpass their humanity. History, as written by the Global Authority and retold through secondhand stories, painted our understanding of figures like Roger, Rocks D. Xebec, and including Monkey D. Garp. But each of the regime's records and the stories of those who were acquainted with them prove untrustworthy, showing only pieces of who these individuals really were.

The Individual Before the Myth

Gol D. Roger may have been driven by mission and the daring spirit that ignited a fresh era of buccaneering, but before he became the Pirate King, he was a youth ruled by emotion and wanderlust. When people discuss his legend, they typically refer to his second voyage, the grand quest in search of the Road Poneglyphs that lead to the final island. However little is known about his first journey, the one that molded him prior to glory found him.

Back then, Roger knew little of the globe's hidden history. His affection for Shakky led him to God Valley, where he discovered the Global Authority's darkest realities: the genocidal "games," the monstrous forms of the Five Elders, and including the existence of the world's hidden ruler, the mysterious leader. We haven't seen Roger's reflections about everything happening in God Valley, but maybe discovering the son of a God's Knight on his ship will lead him to understand his place in the world and seek the truth he glimpsed from Rocks D. Xebec's situation.

The Truth About Rocks D. Xebec

Prior to this recollection, what we knew of Xebec came mostly from the former Fleet Admiral's version, each to the audience and to young Marines. He painted Xebec as a despicable, power-hungry man bent on world domination, someone so dangerous that Gol D. Roger and Garp had to team up to defeat him. But as it turns out, Sengoku was not present at the Divine Isle; he was merely echoing the World Government's approved narrative of events, the very narrative the sovereign authorized to bury the truth about Rocks D. Xebec and the event itself.

In truth, Rocks D. Xebec, whose real name was Davy D. Xebec, was a principled man who sought to overthrow Imu and dismantle the corrupt Global Authority. We don't know if he was motivated by lust for power, revenge for his family, or a desire for justice, but when he discovered the government's scheme to annihilate the land where his kin lived, he abandoned his ambitions of domination to rescue them.

This love for his family became his downfall. After facing the sovereign, he lost his determination and liberty, turning into a puppet controlled to their power. Currently, with what little awareness remains, he pleads with Roger and Monkey D. Garp to end his life — believing that death would be a mercy compared to the torment he endures. The truth of Rocks D. Xebec is thus far from the story narrated by the former Fleet Admiral, and the comic shows him in a positive light during the Divine Isle events.

Could He Be Living Today?

But did Rocks D. Xebec actually die? An interesting idea is that he is even now a servant to Imu in the present day, acting as The Man Marked By Flames, keeping the World Government's last ancient stone in constant transit to prevent the One Piece from being discovered.

The Hero's Secret Defiance

A further key figure of the Divine Isle incident is Garp, who has faced backlash from fans for a long time for doing nothing as Admiral Akainu killed Portgas D. Ace. That sentiment only grew more intense after the time jump, when he risked all to save Koby at Pirate Island, causing many to question why he was unable to do the identical for his biological grandchild. Similar questions have recently resurfaced with the God Valley recollection: how could Garp serve the Navy, aware the Global Authority treats mass murder and enslavement as sport for the elite?

The truth uncovers something different. The moment Garp saw the Gorosei's grotesque forms, he struck without hesitation. His alliance with Roger wasn't to vanquish some villainous Xebec, but a courageous act of rebellion, an effort to halt Imu, who was using Xebec as a pawn to wipe out all in the Divine Isle, even apparently, even the Celestial Dragons themselves. This incident is likely the cause Monkey D. Garp detests the Celestial Dragons in the current era and why he not once desired to be promoted to Admiral, answering directly to them.

The Past's Untrustworthy Storytellers

Although the audience are viewing the God Valley event through a flashback recounted by the giant, covering viewpoints and events he clearly wasn't present for, I believe we can treat this account as completely truthful. The manga may offer an explanation in the future, perhaps connected to Loki's still mysterious paramecia ability. Nevertheless, the Divine Isle event excellently embodies the idea that the past is written by the victors. This attitude is {