3 Biggest Retcons in One Piece’s God Valley Flashback

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The newest flashback arc in One Piece is now focusing on the day the King of the Giants, Rocks, passed away, but it has moved on to show what many consider the most important event in the entire series: the God Valley Incident. This incident was originally brought up in Chapter 957 of One Piece, which came out six years ago. It’s famous as the day Monkey D. Garp and Gol D. Roger teamed up to defeat Rocks D. Xebec, one of the most notorious characters in history.

Until recently, Rocks was always shown as a straightforward villain, and the God Valley Incident was seen as a clear victory for Roger and the Marines in defeating him. But the new flashbacks have revealed information that changes a lot of what fans previously believed. Although there have been many shifts in how we understand things, we’ll focus on the three most significant changes to the God Valley Incident, as they completely alter the story.

3) Shanks Wasn’t Abandoned

The God Valley Incident is remembered as a hugely important event in One Piece because it’s where the Roger Pirates first encountered Shanks. Initially, it seemed Shanks was a special find, almost like a “treasure,” but the story of Saint Garling Figarland and his son has become clearer. It wasn’t that Saint Garling abandoned his son, but rather that Monkey D. Dragon played a role in their separation.

This clarifies that Garling wasn’t a neglectful father, but rather thought Shanks had perished during the turmoil. Since Dragon was the one with Shanks, he’s the one who put him in the treasure chest that the Roger Pirates later discovered. This changes how we understand the story, demonstrating that Garling didn’t abandon Shanks; instead, Dragon played a role in guiding his destiny – a much more positive result, as Garling would almost certainly have kept Shanks and compelled him to follow a path similar to Shamrock if he’d known the truth.

2) Shakky Is the Renowned Cause of the Biggest Incident

Before Shakky appeared, the story suggested that the gathering of so many people on God Valley Island-specifically on the day the World Nobles were hunting people for entertainment-was due to pirates like the Rocks Pirates and the Roger Pirates being there to search for treasure.

However, learning that Shakky was seen as the most prized possession among pirates revealed her to be the central reason for the conflict. She was offered as a reward, attracting pirates who set sail to win her. This is considered a major change to the story by One Piece fans. While it might seem funny that such a huge historical event started because of a woman, it also makes the reason behind it more believable and surprisingly impactful.

1) Rocks Is Not a Villain

Prior to his complete introduction, every glimpse into Rocks’ past showed him as a truly fearsome pirate, motivated solely by wicked plans. The discovery that he was Blackbeard’s father only strengthened this perception, establishing him as the biggest villain in One Piece. But as the recent flashback progressed, viewers started to understand his real motivations. Similar to many other pirates, he opposed the oppressive rule of the World Government; however, the scale of his actions was what truly distinguished him.

What prevents Rocks from being seen as a simple villain is his sincere effort to become friends with Harold, even though he was repeatedly turned down. However, the biggest change to his backstory – and what truly redefines him – is the motivation behind his involvement in the God Valley Incident: his desire to safeguard his wife and child, who were also marked for death. Unlike the other pirates who were there because of Shakky, Rocks had a much deeper, more personal reason. It’s now understood he’ll ultimately die protecting his family, not fighting Garp and Roger as once thought. This reveals him not as the villain he always seemed to be, but as a tragic hero within the world of One Piece.

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2025-10-05 14:14