One Piece's God Valley Flashback Reveals Why Myths Aren't to Be Believed Without Question

The adage 'History is recorded by the winners' serves as a central motif that Eiichiro Oda's epic creator Eiichiro Oda has for some time woven into the story. Popular tales often fail to convey the complete reality, including the most powerful characters in this story's complex history. Kozuki Oden wasn't a foolish showman dancing through the streets of Wano Country; he behaved out of honor and principle. Kuma was not a ruthless antagonist who tore apart the Straw Hats, as well; he was doing them a favor. Similarly, the Davy Jones legend meant more than a buccaneer's game in search of emblems and followers.

In chapter #1164 of the manga, we see the culmination of this idea. The whole Divine Isle story acts as a warning story, advising readers not to judge the individuals too hastily.

Myths often do not capture the full truth, even for the most powerful characters.

The series's most recent look back, detailing the Divine Isle event, stands as one of the story's best storylines to now. Apart from the excitement of witnessing icons in their peak, it's compelling to see them before they turned into icons — when their reputation had still not outgrow their humanity. History, as recorded by the World Government and recounted through secondhand stories, painted our understanding of individuals like Gol D. Roger, Xebec, and including Monkey D. Garp. But both the regime's records and the narratives of those who knew them turn out to be unreliable, revealing only fragments of who these individuals truly were.

The Man Prior to the Myth

Gol D. Roger may have been driven by purpose and the bold attitude that ignited a new age of piracy, but prior to he was known as the King of the Pirates, he was a young man ruled by emotion and the desire to explore. When individuals discuss his legend, they usually refer to his second voyage, the grand expedition in pursuit of the guide stones that point toward the final island. However little is understood about his initial travels, the one that molded him prior to fame found him.

Back then, Roger knew little of the globe's hidden past. His affection for the barkeep guided him to God Valley, where he uncovered the World Government's most sinister truths: the extermination "contests," the grotesque appearances of the Gorosei, and even the existence of the planet's unseen ruler, the mysterious leader. We are yet to witness Roger's reflections about everything occurring in the Divine Isle, but perhaps finding the son of a God's Knight on his vessel will lead him to understand his role in the world and pursue the reality he glimpsed from Xebec's situation.

The Reality About The Infamous Captain

Prior to this recollection, what we were aware of of Xebec was derived mostly from Sengoku's version, each to the audience and to young Marines. He depicted Xebec as a vile, ambitious man determined to achieve world domination, someone so threatening that Roger and Garp had to team up to overcome him. But as it transpires, Sengoku wasn't even there at the Divine Isle; he was merely repeating the Global Authority's approved version of occurrences, the exact narrative Imu authorized to conceal the truth about Rocks D. Xebec and the incident itself.

In truth, Rocks D. Xebec, whose true name was Davy D. Xebec, was a principled man who aimed to topple the ruler and dismantle the corrupt World Government. We are unsure if he was guided by lust for power, retribution for his clan, or a wish for justice, but when he found out the government's plan to eliminate the land where his family resided, he gave up his dreams of domination to save them.

This devotion for his family proved to be his undoing. Upon confronting the sovereign, he forfeited his determination and freedom, turning into a puppet enslaved to their authority. Now, with what limited awareness remains, he pleads with Gol D. Roger and Monkey D. Garp to end his life — thinking that death would be a kindness in contrast to the torment he suffers. The reality of Rocks D. Xebec is thus very different from the story told by the former Fleet Admiral, and the manga presents him in a positive light during the Divine Isle incidents.

Is He Still Alive Today?

But was Rocks D. Xebec really die? An intriguing theory is that he is even now a servant to Imu in the present day, serving as the scarred individual, keeping the World Government's only remaining ancient stone in continuous movement to keep the ultimate treasure from being found.

Garp's Hidden Rebellion

Another protagonist of the God Valley event is Garp, who has endured criticism from followers for years for doing nothing as Akainu killed Ace. That sentiment only grew stronger after the timeskip, when he risked all to save the young Marine at Hachinosu, leading many to question why he couldn't do the identical for his biological grandchild. Comparable doubts have recently resurfaced with the Divine Isle recollection: how could Monkey D. Garp work for the Marines, knowing the World Government considers mass murder and enslavement as entertainment for the elite?

The truth uncovers something different. The moment Monkey D. Garp saw the Elders' monstrous shapes, he attacked without hesitation. His alliance with Gol D. Roger wasn't to vanquish some villainous Xebec, but a courageous act of defiance, an attempt to stop Imu, who was using Rocks D. Xebec as a tool to eliminate everyone in God Valley, including apparently, even the Celestial Dragons themselves. This event is likely the reason Garp detests the World Nobles in the present day and why he not once wanted to be promoted to Admiral, answering straight to them.

History's Untrustworthy Narrators

Although the readers are seeing the God Valley event through a recollection narrated by Loki, including perspectives and occurrences he clearly was absent for, I think we can consider this account as completely accurate. The manga may offer an reason later, perhaps linked to Loki's still mysterious paramecia ability. Still, the God Valley incident perfectly exemplifies the idea that history is recorded by the victors. This mindset is {