The Series' Divine Isle Recollection Demonstrates Why Myths Aren't to Be Believed Without Question

The adage 'The past is recorded by the victors' is a key motif that Eiichiro Oda's epic creator Eiichiro Oda has for some time integrated into the narrative. Popular tales often do not capture the full truth, including the most powerful figures in this story's complex history. Oden wasn't a silly showman prancing through the roads of Wano; he acted out of honor and principle. Bartholomew Kuma wasn't a merciless villain who tore apart the Straw Hats, as well; he was doing them a favor. Likewise, the Davy Jones legend signified beyond just a buccaneer's game in search of flags and followers.

In chapter #1164 of One Piece, we witness the culmination of this idea. The entire Divine Isle narrative serves as a cautionary tale, advising audiences not to judge the characters too quickly.

Myths often do not convey the complete reality, even for the most influential figures.

The series's latest look back, chronicling the God Valley event, represents one of the series' finest arcs to now. Beyond the thrill of witnessing icons in their prime, it's gripping to observe them prior to when they became icons — when their fame had still not surpass their human nature. The past, as written by the Global Authority and recounted through hearsay stories, shaped our perception of individuals like Gol D. Roger, Rocks D. Xebec, and including Garp. But both the government's records and the narratives of those who were acquainted with them prove untrustworthy, showing only fragments of who these men truly were.

The Individual Before the Legend

Gol D. Roger may have been driven by purpose and the daring attitude that ignited a new age of piracy, but before he became the Pirate King, he was a young man governed by emotion and wanderlust. When individuals speak of his legend, they typically refer to his second voyage, the epic expedition in pursuit of the guide stones that point toward Laugh Tale. Yet little is understood about his initial travels, the one that molded him prior to glory discovered him.

At that time, Roger was largely unaware of the world's secret history. His love for Shakky led him to God Valley, where he discovered the Global Authority's darkest truths: the extermination "games," the monstrous appearances of the Gorosei, and even the existence of the world's unseen ruler, the mysterious leader. We haven't seen Roger's reflections about all that's happening in God Valley, but perhaps finding the son of a Holy Knight on his ship will make him realize his role in the world and seek the truth he caught a glimpse of from Rocks D. Xebec's situation.

The Truth About Rocks D. Xebec

Prior to this recollection, what we were aware of of Xebec was derived almost entirely from the former Fleet Admiral's account, each to the audience and to new Marines. He painted 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 defeat him. But as it transpires, Sengoku was not there at God Valley; he was merely echoing the Global Authority's sanctioned version of occurrences, the very story Imu authorized to bury the truth about Rocks D. Xebec and the incident itself.

In reality, The captain, whose true name was Davy D. Xebec, was a ethical man who aimed to overthrow Imu and dismantle the decadent World Government. We are unsure if he was motivated by ambition, retribution for his clan, or a wish for fairness, but when he found out the government's scheme to eliminate the island where his family resided, he abandoned his dreams of conquest to save them.

This devotion for his relatives proved to be his undoing. Upon confronting the sovereign, he lost his determination and freedom, becoming a puppet controlled to their power. Currently, with what limited awareness is left, he begs with Roger and Monkey D. Garp to end his life — believing that dying would be a kindness compared to the living hell he suffers. The reality of Rocks is thus very different from the story told by the former Fleet Admiral, and the manga shows him in a favorable manner during the Divine Isle events.

Is He Living Today?

But was Rocks really meet his end? An interesting theory is that he is even now a slave to Imu in the current timeline, acting as the scarred individual, maintaining the Global Authority's last Poneglyph in continuous transit to prevent the ultimate treasure from being discovered.

The Hero's Secret Rebellion

Another key figure of the Divine Isle event is Monkey D. Garp, who has faced criticism from followers for years for standing by as Admiral Akainu murdered Ace. That feeling became even stronger after the timeskip, when he endangered everything to rescue the young Marine at Pirate Island, leading many to question why he was unable to do the same for his biological grandson. Comparable questions have recently reemerged with the Divine Isle flashback: how could Garp serve the Navy, aware the Global Authority treats genocide and slavery as entertainment for the elite?

The reality uncovers something distinct. The instant Garp witnessed the Gorosei's monstrous forms, he struck immediately. His partnership with Gol D. 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 God Valley, including apparently, including the Celestial Dragons themselves. This event is likely the cause Monkey D. Garp detests the Celestial Dragons in the present day and why he never desired to be promoted to Fleet Admiral, answering directly to them.

The Past's Untrustworthy Narrators

Although the audience are seeing the God Valley event through a recollection recounted by the giant, including viewpoints and occurrences he clearly wasn't present for, I believe we can consider this version as entirely truthful. The manga may offer an reason in the future, perhaps connected to Loki's still mysterious Devil Fruit. Still, the God Valley event excellently exemplifies the idea that the past is written by the winners. This mindset is {