Article summary:
38 years ago, on an island named God Valley, history took a dramatic turn. Vice Admiral Garp and the future King of the Pirates, Gol D. Roger, joined forces to defeat the most dangerous crew of all time: the Rocks Pirates. In 2026, thanks to Kuma's flashback, we know that this battle was actually concealing a massacre organized by the Celestial Dragons.
Why did the island disappear from the maps? Why does Garp refuse to talk about it? This event is the starting point for many current storylines, from Shanks's birth to Kaido's powers. Let's plunge into the hell of "God Valley."
The impossible alliance between the Marines and the Pirates.
Rocks D. Xebec: The Man Who Wanted to Be King of the World
Before Roger's era, the seas were dominated by the Rocks Pirates. Their captain, Rocks D. Xebec, directly set his sights on the throne of Imu-sama. His crew was made up of future powerhouses:
- Edward Newgate (Whitebeard).
- Charlotte Linlin (Big Mom).
- Kaido (still a rookie).
- Shiki the Golden Lion.
It was to stop this threat that Garp and Roger had to join forces. It was following this victory that Garp earned his title of "Hero of the Marines."
Discover the legend of these pirates in our dedicated collections: Whitebeard Store and Emperors and Legends.
The Dark Truth: The Slave Hunt
Recent revelations in the manga have shown that God Valley was not a battlefield by chance. The Celestial Dragons organized a slave-hunting tournament there every three years. They massacred the local populations for sport.
It was during this event that Kuma, Ivankov, and Ginny attempted to escape. It was also there that Big Mom stole Kaido's Devil Fruit (the Uo Uo no Mi) and gave it to him, a key moment explained in our guide to the most powerful Devil Fruits.
The horror of this event explains why the Government wanted to erase the island from history, probably using a weapon similar to the one seen at Lulusia (see: Uranus).
The Birthplace of Red-Haired Shanks
Another mystery solved at God Valley concerns one of the current Emperors. After the battle, Roger found a chest containing a baby: Shanks.
Shanks is believed to be a descendant of the Figarland family, a lineage of Celestial Dragons whose leader, Saint Garling Figarland, was the "champion" of God Valley. This explains why Shanks has connections in Mariejois.
To learn everything about this enigmatic character, read our complete feature: Shanks: Friend or Final Enemy?
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Conclusion: Ghosts of the Past
God Valley is more than just a memory. The figures involved in this tragedy—Garp, Shanks, and Blackbeard, who inherited Xebec's will—are the same ones now fighting for the One Piece.
To understand the current structure of the armed forces following this event, visit our cornerstone page on the Marines and Admirals.
The fight continues! Join your side by choosing your favorite One Piece Figure from our store.