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The saying 'The past is recorded by the winners' is a central motif that Eiichiro Oda's epic creator Eiichiro Oda has long woven into the narrative. Popular tales frequently fail to convey the complete truth, even for the most powerful figures in this story's complex past. Kozuki Oden was no foolish showman dancing 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, either; he was helping them. Similarly, Davy Jones meant beyond just a buccaneer's game in search of flags and followers.

In chapter #1164 of One Piece, we see the peak of this theme. The whole Divine Isle story acts as a warning story, advising readers not to evaluate the individuals too quickly.

Myths frequently fail to capture the complete reality, even for the most powerful figures.

The series's latest look back, chronicling the Divine Isle event, represents one of the story's best storylines to now. Beyond the excitement of seeing icons in their prime, it's gripping to observe them prior to when they turned into symbols — when their reputation had still not outgrow their human nature. The past, as written by the Global Authority and retold through hearsay stories, painted our perception of figures like Gol D. Roger, Rocks D. Xebec, and including Monkey D. Garp. But both the government's records and the narratives of those who knew them turn out to be untrustworthy, revealing only fragments of who these men truly were.

The Man Before the Legend

The future Pirate King may have been guided by mission and the bold attitude that ignited a new age of piracy, but before he was known as the Pirate King, he was a young man governed by emotion and the desire to explore. When individuals speak of his legend, they typically refer to his later journey, the epic expedition in search of the Road Poneglyphs that point toward the final island. Yet not much is known about his first journey, the one that shaped him prior to fame discovered him.

At that time, Roger knew little of the globe's hidden history. His affection for the barkeep led him to the Divine Isle, where he discovered the World Government's most sinister realities: the extermination "games," the monstrous forms of the Gorosei, and including the existence of the world's unseen sovereign, Imu. We haven't seen Gol D. Roger's reflections about everything happening in God Valley, but maybe finding the son of a God's Knight on his ship will lead him to understand his role in the world and seek the truth he caught a glimpse of from Rocks D. Xebec's situation.

The Truth About The Infamous Captain

Prior to this recollection, what we were aware of of Xebec was derived almost entirely from Sengoku's account, both to the audience and to new Marines. He depicted Rocks D. Xebec as a despicable, ambitious man determined to achieve global control, someone so dangerous that Gol D. Roger and Monkey D. Garp had to team up to overcome him. But as it transpires, Sengoku was not there at the Divine Isle; he was only repeating the Global Authority's approved narrative of occurrences, the exact narrative 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 ethical man who sought to overthrow the ruler and dismantle the corrupt Global Authority. We don't know if he was guided by lust for power, retribution for his family, or a wish for fairness, but when he found out the government's plan to eliminate the island where his family lived, he abandoned his ambitions of conquest to save them.

This devotion for his relatives proved to be his downfall. After confronting the sovereign, he forfeited his determination and liberty, becoming a marionette controlled to their authority. Now, with what little awareness is left, he begs with Roger and Monkey D. Garp to kill him — believing that dying would be a kindness in contrast to the living hell he suffers. The truth of Rocks is thus far from the story narrated by the former Fleet Admiral, and the manga presents him in a positive manner during the God Valley events.

Is He Living Today?

But was Rocks really meet his end? An intriguing theory is that he is even now a servant to the ruler in the present day, serving as The Man Marked By Flames, keeping the World Government's only remaining ancient stone in constant transit to prevent the ultimate treasure from being found.

The Hero's Hidden Defiance

A further protagonist of the Divine Isle incident is Monkey D. Garp, who has endured criticism from followers for a long time for standing by as Admiral Akainu killed Ace. That sentiment only grew stronger after the time jump, when he risked all to save the young Marine at Pirate Island, causing 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 work for the Navy, aware the Global Authority considers genocide and slavery as entertainment for the upper class?

The truth uncovers something distinct. The moment Garp saw the Elders' grotesque shapes, he attacked without hesitation. His alliance with Gol D. Roger was not meant to vanquish some villainous Rocks D. Xebec, but a bold act of defiance, an attempt to stop the sovereign, who was using Xebec as a tool to wipe out all in God Valley, even apparently, even the World Nobles themselves. This event is likely the cause Garp despises the Celestial Dragons in the current era and why he not once desired to be elevated to Fleet Admiral, reporting straight to them.

History's Unreliable Storytellers

Even though the readers are seeing the God Valley event through a recollection recounted by the giant, including perspectives and events he obviously wasn't present for, I believe we can consider this version as entirely truthful. The manga may provide an reason in the future, perhaps connected to Loki's yet unknown paramecia ability. Still, the Divine Isle incident excellently embodies the notion that history is recorded by the winners. This attitude is {