The God Valley Incident, a turning point in the One Piece world that happened 38 years ago, finally came into full view in the manga’s Elbaf arc this year. Readers had built up ideas of massive clashes between legends like Rocks D. Xebec, Gol D. Roger, and Monkey D. Garp, but the chapters that rolled out in late 2025 mixed deep backstory with quick action. Some felt the payoff matched the wait, while others wondered if the buildup led to letdowns. This event, first hinted at back in chapter 957, reshaped pirate crews and sparked new powers, yet its delivery has fans talking about what they hoped for versus what landed on the page.
What Sparked the God Valley Clash
God Valley started as a spot in the West Blue where locals lived free from World Government rules. That changed when Celestial Dragons picked it for their Native Hunting Competition, a cruel game where nobles chased islanders like prey. Slaves like young Bartholomew Kuma, Emporio Ivankov, and Ginny got labeled “rabbits” and marked for the hunt, pushing them to plot escapes amid the chaos.
Word spread fast when Ginny leaked details about the event and prized Devil Fruits up for grabs. This drew Rocks D. Xebec and his crew, including Edward Newgate, Charlotte Linlin, Kaido, and Shiki, who sailed in to claim what they saw as theirs. But the real trigger tied back to Shakuyaku, known as Shakky, a former Kuja Pirate called the “irreplaceable treasure” of nearby Hachinosu. Captured and taken to God Valley, her plight pulled in more players, turning a twisted sport into all-out war.
Monkey D. Dragon, then a Marine cadet, showed up on orders to round up natives but stayed to help rescues, including hiding baby Shanks in a treasure chest. His twin brother Figarland Shamrock faced a different path, later joining the Holy Knights. The island, once a haven for the hidden Davy Clan—including Rocks, born there—became a trap set by the World Government to wipe out threats.
Legends Gather on a Doomed Island
As the hunt kicked off, ships dotted the horizon. Roger Pirates arrived, with Silvers Rayleigh swooping in to grab Shakky from captors. Garp led Marines to back the nobles, grumbling about the mess from the start. Holy Knights like Figarland Garling and Sommers enforced the government’s will, while whispers of Imu‘s involvement hung in the air.
The Davy Clan’s role added layers. Rocks, revealed as Davy D. Xebec, fought not just for loot but to shield his family, including wife Eris and young son Marshall D. Teach—later Blackbeard. His crew split into factions during the frenzy, with some chasing fruits like the one Kaido awakened into his dragon form for the first time. Scopper Gaban clashed with Sommers, a grudge that echoed years later.
In chapter 1159, Oda showed the panic: islanders fleeing as pirates and Marines stormed ashore. Dragon’s line to his brother, “May the winds of fate guide you,” captured the split loyalties. Kuma’s group freed 500 people, dodging transformed beasts and noble whims. The scene built tension without rushing into blows, focusing on how personal stakes fueled the storm.
Twists That Rewrote the Rules
Oda dropped bombshells that flipped old tales. The Marine story painted Garp and Roger as heroes who crushed Rocks to save the nobles. Truth hit harder: Rocks battled Imu‘s demon forces in chapter 1162, a “God Valley Battle Royale” where alliances shifted fast. Roger and Garp teamed up not against Rocks alone but to counter the real shadow pulling strings.
Shakky’s capture explained why Fullalead pirates pushed back so hard—Garp even warned his boss not to touch “Pirate Island’s treasure.” The island vanished after, erased by government orders, leaving gaps filled by propaganda. Dragon’s doubts about the Navy grew here, planting seeds for the Revolutionary Army. Even Shanks‘ early days tied in, saved by Dragon during the escape.
Chapter 1163’s double-page spread of Roger, Garp, and Rocks crew hitting Imu stood out as a high point, blending raw power with ties to current fights—like Eustass Kid‘s grudge against Shanks over Captain John‘s fruit. Oda wove in how this day birthed Yonko crews and hid the Davy’s threat, making every panel count toward the bigger picture.
How Readers Took the Full Story
Talks lit up online after chapters 1160 through 1165 wrapped the flashback. Some praised the emotional hits, like Rocks’ last stand as a dad, not a monster. One fan noted on X how it grounded legends: “History is written by winners—Oda nailed that with Garp’s side-eye at the nobles.” Others felt the pace clipped key moments, wishing for deeper dives into side fights.
Breaks hit hard too—Oda’s health pause before 1162 had folks worried, but it built hype. Posts on Reddit broke down lineups: over 20 big names from pirates to slaves, each with fates like Gloriosa running point for Kuja or Whitebeard guarding his spot. Disappointment cropped up around skipped clashes, like Garling versus Rocks, with one user saying, “Expected Marineford vibes, got setup instead.” Yet positives rolled in: “Ties to Blackbeard’s drive make sense now—dude’s chasing his old man’s shadow.”
The editor’s September nod that “full truth” was coming set expectations, but delivery split views. Fans who wanted lore over brawls called it peak, while fight chasers grumbled about “off-screened” potential. X threads debated Shakky’s role: “From side character to spark? Oda’s wild.” Overall, it fueled theories on Imu’s reach and Davy’s curse, keeping chats alive into November.
Ties to Today’s Pirate World
This incident didn’t just end an era—it started fresh ones. Big Mom grabbed her fruit amid the mess, fueling her empire dreams. Kaido‘s dragon shift marked his rise, while Shanks and Blackbeard carried scars into their paths. Garp‘s “hero” tag stuck, hiding his disgust for the system that forced his hand.
Dragon’s shift from cadet to rebel leader stemmed from watching innocents hunted, a thread pulling to Luffy‘s own fights. Holy Knights like Garling gained infamy, their immortality teased in clashes that bypassed death. Even minor bits, like Moria‘s zombies possibly from fallen God Valley fighters, hint at loose ends.
Oda layered it so every reveal echoes now: Loki‘s Rocks link in Elbaf, or Blackbeard‘s fruit hunt mirroring his dad’s last grab. The island’s wipeout by Imu set the cover-up tone, much like Void Century blanks. As of chapter 1165’s November drop, the event closed with Rocks down and government lies locked in, but ripples keep hitting the Grand Line.
Also Read: One Piece Timeline Finally Revealed: Luffy’s Epic Journey Spans Less Than Three Years
