The Series' Divine Isle Recollection Reveals Why Myths Aren't to Be Trusted Blindly

The adage 'The past is recorded by the winners' is a central theme that One Piece author Eiichiro Oda has for some time integrated into the story. Legends often fail to capture the complete truth, even for the most influential characters in this world's intricate history. Kozuki Oden was no foolish showman dancing through the streets of Wano Country; he acted out of honor and conviction. Kuma was not a ruthless antagonist who separated the Straw Hat Pirates, as well; he was doing them a favor. Likewise, the Davy Jones legend meant more than a buccaneer's contest in search of flags and crews.

In chapter #1164 of One Piece, we witness the culmination of this idea. The entire God Valley story acts as a warning story, instructing readers not to judge the individuals too hastily.

Myths often do not convey the full truth, including the most influential figures.

The series's latest flashback, chronicling the Divine Isle event, represents one of the series' finest arcs to now. Apart from the excitement of seeing legends in their prime, it's gripping to observe them before they became symbols — when their fame had yet to outgrow their human nature. The past, as written by the World Government and recounted through secondhand tales, shaped our perception of individuals like Roger, Rocks D. Xebec, and even Monkey D. Garp. But both the regime's accounts and the narratives of those who were acquainted with them turn out to be untrustworthy, showing only pieces of who these individuals truly were.

The Man Before the Myth

Gol D. Roger may have been guided by purpose and the bold spirit that ignited a fresh era of piracy, but prior to he became the Pirate King, he was a young man governed by emotion and wanderlust. When individuals speak of his legend, they usually refer to his later journey, the grand expedition in pursuit of the Road Poneglyphs that point toward the final island. However not much is understood about his first journey, the one that shaped him prior to glory discovered him.

Back then, Roger knew little of the globe's hidden history. His affection for Shakky guided him to God Valley, where he uncovered the Global Authority's darkest truths: the genocidal "contests," the grotesque appearances of the Gorosei, and even the existence of the planet's hidden sovereign, Imu. We are yet to witness Roger's reflections about all that's happening in God Valley, but maybe finding the son of a God's Knight on his ship will make him realize his place in the world and seek the truth he caught a glimpse of from Xebec's predicament.

The Truth About Rocks D. Xebec

Prior to this flashback, what we were aware of of Rocks D. Xebec came mostly from Sengoku's version, both to the viewers and to young Marines. He painted Rocks D. Xebec as a despicable, ambitious man determined to achieve global control, someone so dangerous that Gol D. 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 echoing the World Government's approved narrative of events, the very narrative Imu approved to conceal the reality about Xebec and the event itself.

In truth, The captain, whose true name was Davy D. Xebec, was a principled man who sought to topple the ruler and dismantle the corrupt Global Authority. We don't know if he was motivated by lust for power, retribution for his clan, or a desire for fairness, but when he found out the government's plan to annihilate the land where his kin resided, he gave up his ambitions of conquest to rescue them.

This love for his relatives became his downfall. Upon confronting the sovereign, he forfeited his will and liberty, turning into a marionette enslaved to their power. Now, with what little consciousness remains, he pleads with Roger and Monkey D. Garp to end his life — believing that dying would be a kindness in contrast to the living hell he suffers. The reality of Rocks D. Xebec is thus very different from the story narrated by Sengoku, and the comic presents him in a favorable manner during the Divine Isle incidents.

Is He Living Today?

But did Rocks really meet his end? An interesting idea is that he is even now a slave to Imu in the current timeline, serving as the scarred individual, maintaining the Global Authority's last ancient stone in continuous movement to keep the One Piece from being found.

Garp's Hidden Rebellion

A further key figure of the Divine Isle incident is Garp, who has endured criticism from fans for a long time for standing by as Admiral Akainu killed Portgas D. Ace. That sentiment only grew more intense after the time jump, when he endangered everything to rescue the young Marine at Hachinosu, leading many to question why he was unable to do the identical for his biological grandson. Comparable doubts have recently reemerged with the God Valley flashback: how could Monkey D. Garp work for the Navy, knowing the Global Authority treats genocide and enslavement as entertainment for the elite?

The reality reveals something distinct. The instant Monkey D. Garp witnessed the Gorosei's grotesque forms, he attacked without hesitation. His partnership with Gol D. Roger wasn't to defeat some evil Xebec, but a courageous act of rebellion, an attempt to halt the sovereign, who was manipulating Xebec as a tool to wipe out all in the Divine Isle, even apparently, including the World Nobles themselves. This event is likely the reason Monkey D. Garp detests the World Nobles in the present day and why he not once wanted to be promoted to Admiral, answering directly to them.

The Past's Untrustworthy Storytellers

Although the readers are seeing the God Valley event through a recollection narrated by Loki, covering perspectives and occurrences he clearly was absent for, I believe we can treat this account as entirely accurate. The manga may provide an explanation in the future, maybe linked to the giant's still mysterious paramecia ability. Nevertheless, the God Valley incident perfectly exemplifies the notion that history is written by the winners. This mindset is {