After nearly three decades, the truth behind the God Valley incident is finally coming to light in the Elbaf Arc, forcing fans to reevaluate Monkey D. Garp’s entire legacy and question the “justice” and “Marine Hero” title he holds.
The One Piece manga is currently stirring excitement among fans with the Elbaf Arc, where shocking secrets about the God Valley Incident are gradually revealed. What was once thought to be a legendary battle sparked by the infamous pirate Rocks D. Xebec is actually a cruel trap set by the World Government to eliminate him.
Not only does this reveal that Rocks D. Xebec is Blackbeard’s father, but new details about God Valley also expose a disappointing truth about one of the series’ most respected characters: Monkey D. Garp.
Garp: From beloved Marine hero to controversial figure at God Valley
Garp has long been admired by fans despite his controversial actions during the Marineford War, where he sided with the Marines and allowed Portgas D. Ace to die. Many justified this by saying that as a high-ranking officer, he had to prioritize justice over personal feelings. Garp, once seen as a rival to Pirate King Gol D. Roger, was celebrated for his immense strength and a sense of “justice” less brutal than Akainu’s.
However, the new revelations about God Valley raise ethical questions and challenge whether he ever truly deserved the title of “Marine Hero.”
This title was awarded to Garp after God Valley for “defeating Xebec.” The World Government concealed the fact that Garp had to ally with Roger to achieve this. Worse, the truth now shows God Valley was a cruel conspiracy by the World Government, and Xebec was partly a victim.
The World Government used the lives of an entire island’s inhabitants, including Xebec’s wife and two-year-old son, to threaten him. This ruthless act showed complete disregard for innocent lives.
Garp’s “justice”: Indifference to horrific crimes?
Despite witnessing the World Government’s cruelty firsthand, Garp took no decisive action to protect the victims, unlike his son Dragon. Clearly, even without leaving the Marines, he falls far short of admirals like Fujitora, who openly fight for true justice.
The most shocking part is that Garp, a symbol of justice, was completely indifferent to the brutal Indigenous Hunting Contest at God Valley. While pirates landed on the island to rescue Shakky, the Celestial Dragons turned God Valley into a savage hunting ground for their amusement. Garp chose to turn a blind eye to this horror.
Anyone would be horrified by such slaughter, but Garp focused solely on fighting pirates, ignoring the innocent victims. This attitude might be expected from a blindly obedient government figure like Akainu, but coming from a respected character like Garp, it is truly disappointing.
Garp raised the next generation of Marines, but has he done enough for the world?
Nearly four decades have passed since God Valley, yet Garp has not made significant efforts to change the system. His refusal to become an admiral to avoid directly following Celestial Dragon orders is admirable, but it is not enough.
While figures like Fujitora and Dragon actively fight to end the World Government’s terror and oppression, Garp remains neutral: disliking the government but not intervening directly.
His decision not to save Ace might be understandable, as Ace chose the pirate path and Garp believed pirates must face their own fate.
However, the same cannot be said for the slaves and indigenous people of God Valley, who were completely innocent.
With all his power, Garp’s most notable achievement is training young Marines with strong morals like Koby. His recent risky rescue of Koby at Hachinosu earned him much goodwill.
Still, it is undeniable that someone of Garp’s caliber could have done much more for the world. His true goals remain a mystery. But with the revelations about God Valley, fans may need to seriously reconsider the “Hero” title he holds.