The Series' Divine Isle Flashback Reveals Why Myths Shouldn't Be Believed Without Question

The adage 'History is written by the victors' serves as a central theme that Eiichiro Oda's epic author Eiichiro Oda has long integrated into the story. Legends frequently do not convey the complete reality, including the most influential characters in this story's intricate history. Oden wasn't a silly showman dancing through the roads of Wano; he behaved out of honor and conviction. Bartholomew Kuma wasn't a ruthless villain who separated the Straw Hats, as well; he was helping them. Similarly, the Davy Jones legend signified beyond just a pirate's contest in pursuit of emblems and followers.

In chapter #1164 of One Piece, we witness the peak of this theme. The entire God Valley narrative serves as a warning story, advising readers not to evaluate the characters too quickly.

Legends frequently do not convey the complete reality, even for the most powerful figures.

The series's latest look back, detailing the Divine Isle event, stands as one of the series' best arcs to date. Beyond the excitement of witnessing legends in their prime, it's compelling to observe them before they became symbols — when their reputation had yet to outgrow their humanity. The past, as recorded by the World Government and recounted through hearsay stories, painted our perception of individuals like Gol D. Roger, Rocks D. Xebec, and even Monkey D. Garp. But each of the government's records and the stories of those who were acquainted with them prove unreliable, showing only pieces of who these individuals truly were.

The Man Prior to the Legend

The future Pirate King may have been guided by mission and the daring spirit that sparked a new age of buccaneering, but prior to he was known as the King of the Pirates, he was a young man governed by passion and the desire to explore. When individuals speak of his myth, they typically mean his later journey, the grand quest in pursuit of the guide stones that lead to the final island. Yet little is understood about his first journey, the one that molded him prior to glory found him.

Back then, Roger was largely unaware of the globe's hidden history. His affection for Shakky guided him to the Divine Isle, where he uncovered the Global Authority's darkest realities: the genocidal "games," the monstrous appearances of the Gorosei, and including the existence of the planet's unseen ruler, Imu. We haven't seen Gol D. Roger's reflections about everything occurring in God Valley, but perhaps discovering the son of a God's Knight on his vessel will make him realize his place in the globe and seek the truth he glimpsed from Xebec's predicament.

The Reality About The Infamous Captain

Prior to this flashback, what we knew of Rocks D. Xebec was derived mostly from Sengoku's version, each to the audience and to young Marines. He depicted Rocks D. Xebec as a despicable, ambitious man determined to achieve world domination, someone so dangerous that Roger and Monkey D. Garp had to join forces to overcome him. But as it transpires, the strategist wasn't even present at God Valley; he was only echoing the Global Authority's sanctioned version of occurrences, the very narrative the sovereign approved to conceal the truth about Xebec and the incident itself.

In reality, Rocks D. Xebec, whose real name was Davy D. Xebec, was a ethical man who aimed to topple the ruler and dismantle the corrupt Global Authority. We don't know if he was guided by lust for power, retribution for his clan, or a wish for justice, but when he discovered the regime's scheme to annihilate the island where his kin resided, he gave up his ambitions of domination to save them.

This devotion for his relatives became his downfall. After confronting Imu, he forfeited his determination and freedom, becoming a marionette controlled to their power. Currently, with what little consciousness remains, he pleads with Gol D. Roger and Monkey D. Garp to end his life — thinking that death would be a kindness compared to the living hell he endures. The reality of Rocks D. Xebec is thus far from the tale told by Sengoku, and the manga shows him in a favorable manner during the Divine Isle incidents.

Could He Be Living Today?

But did Rocks actually die? An interesting theory is that he is even now a slave to Imu in the current timeline, acting as the scarred individual, maintaining the World Government's only remaining Poneglyph in continuous movement to prevent the One Piece from being discovered.

Garp's Secret Rebellion

Another key figure of the God Valley event is Garp, who has faced backlash from fans for a long time for standing by as Akainu murdered Ace. That sentiment only grew stronger after the timeskip, when he risked everything to rescue the young Marine at Hachinosu, causing many to question why he couldn't do the same for his biological grandson. Comparable questions have recently resurfaced with the Divine Isle flashback: how could Garp work for the Navy, knowing the Global Authority treats mass murder and slavery as sport for the elite?

The reality uncovers something distinct. The moment Monkey D. Garp saw the Elders' monstrous shapes, he struck without hesitation. His partnership with Roger wasn't to vanquish some evil Rocks D. Xebec, but a courageous act of rebellion, an attempt to stop Imu, who was using Rocks D. Xebec as a pawn to wipe out all in God Valley, even it seems, even the Celestial Dragons themselves. This incident is probably the reason Garp detests the World Nobles in the current era and why he never wanted to be elevated to Fleet Admiral, reporting directly to them.

The Past's Untrustworthy Storytellers

Even though the readers are seeing the Divine Isle event through a recollection narrated by Loki, covering viewpoints and occurrences he obviously wasn't present for, I think we can consider this version as completely accurate. The series may provide an reason in the future, perhaps linked to the giant's yet unknown paramecia ability. Still, the Divine Isle incident perfectly exemplifies the notion that the past is recorded by the winners. This attitude is {