The revelation in One Piece Chapter 1161 that Rocks D. Xebec was betrayed has sent shockwaves through the community. For decades, the Rocks Pirates have been remembered as the most terrifying coalition of monsters ever to set sail. Names like Whitebeard, Big Mom, Kaido, Shiki, and Captain John still echo through history as legends in their own right. Yet together under Xebec’s flag, they burned an image of chaos and destruction into the seas that frightened even the World Government.
The mystery has always been: how did such a crew fall? God Valley was known as the stage of their undoing, but the specifics were kept shrouded in silence. All we knew was that Vice Admiral Garp and Pirate King Gol D. Roger teamed up against Xebec, and somehow, this union toppled the Rocks Pirates. For years, fans speculated that pure force alone could not explain it. Something internal had to break.
Now, Eiichiro Oda has finally confirmed it. The Rocks Pirates did not fall merely from an overwhelming outside assault. They fell because Xebec was betrayed.
This single word—betrayal—has reignited old theories and given birth to new ones. Who could possibly turn on a man as fearsome as Rocks D. Xebec? What did they gain? And how does this revelation reshape our understanding of the world before the Great Pirate Era?
Let’s explore the possibilities, the suspects, and the implications of betrayal at God Valley.
The Legacy of Rocks D. Xebec
Before diving into theories, it’s important to understand who Xebec was. He was not merely another pirate captain; he was a force of ideology. While Roger sought freedom and adventure, and Whitebeard sought family, Xebec desired domination. His dream was to become the King of the World—a throne that even the Celestial Dragons would bow to.
The Rocks Pirates embodied this ambition. They weren’t bound by friendship or ideals. They were monsters drawn together by strength and self-interest, pirates who would normally kill each other if not for Xebec’s will. Their “bond” was more akin to a temporary truce under a terrifying leader.
It’s no wonder then that betrayal would eventually rise within their ranks. But if Oda chose to highlight betrayal specifically, it must have been more than just infighting. It had to be something decisive, a knife in the back that ensured Xebec could never seize victory at God Valley.
The Immediate Suspects
1. Charlotte Linlin (Big Mom)
Big Mom is one of the most obvious suspects. Known for her unpredictable nature, her hunger-driven rages, and her obsession with creating her dream kingdom of Totto Land, she has never been loyal to anyone but herself. She was already ambitious and had a vision of her own world order that clashed with Xebec’s dream of total dominance.
Could she have tipped the balance at God Valley, ensuring Xebec fell so she could carve her own path? Some fans speculate she may have cut a deal with the World Government, offering information or sabotage in exchange for being left alive and free to build her empire.
2. Kaido
Kaido was once an apprentice on Rocks’ crew, but even then he embodied the raw chaos of war. His obsession with death and his desire to create a world defined by conflict did not align with Xebec’s calculated dominance.
There is a possibility Kaido betrayed Xebec not out of strategy but out of sheer instinct, driven by the thrill of breaking bonds and plunging into carnage. If Kaido turned on Rocks during the heat of battle, it may have been the tipping point that allowed Roger and Garp to win.
3. Whitebeard (Edward Newgate)
This is one of the most painful theories. Whitebeard, who would go on to be remembered as the “man closest to One Piece,” valued family above all else. On Rocks’ crew, there was no family—only domination.
What if Whitebeard realized that siding with Xebec was unsustainable, that his own ideals could never flourish under such tyranny? His betrayal may not have been a cowardly act but a deliberate choice to free himself from Xebec’s shadow. Whitebeard later built a crew bound by loyalty and love, the opposite of what Rocks represented. This parallel fuels speculation that he made his choice at God Valley.
4. Shiki the Golden Lion
Shiki was always a schemer. His obsession with strategy, control, and his later attempt to convince Roger to join him in world domination show that he had ambitions beyond serving under Xebec. It’s entirely possible he saw God Valley as a chance to remove the captain and position himself as the new leader of the world’s strongest crew.
Beyond the Crew: The Deeper Game
While betrayal from within is the most obvious reading, there’s also the possibility that the traitor wasn’t a pirate at all.
1. A Celestial Dragon or Government Agent
God Valley was the home of a Celestial Dragon stronghold, and their presence there is still one of the great mysteries. Could one of them have orchestrated Xebec’s downfall by turning his own crew against him? Deals, bribes, or even threats could have swayed one of the Rocks Pirates to change sides.
2. An Alliance with Roger
Another theory is that betrayal didn’t come from treachery against Xebec directly, but from secret negotiations with Roger. Imagine if one of Rocks’ key fighters switched sides mid-battle, drawn by Roger’s charisma or promises of freedom. This would explain how Roger and Garp managed to topple such an impossible crew.
The Nature of Betrayal in One Piece
It’s worth noting how betrayal functions thematically in One Piece.
-
Blackbeard’s Betrayal of Whitebeard’s Crew: A reminder that betrayal often leads to seismic shifts in power. Blackbeard’s decision to murder Thatch and seize the Yami Yami no Mi set him on the path to Yonko status.
-
Crocodile’s Betrayal of Alabasta: A “false protector” who turned out to be the greatest threat to the kingdom he pretended to save.
-
The Cipher Pol and World Government: Countless betrayals of trust by supposedly “protective” institutions.
Oda often uses betrayal to signify the crumbling of false structures. The Rocks Pirates were not built on trust but on raw power. Betrayal was inevitable, almost poetic. It was not just one person’s choice but the natural result of a crew with no true foundation.
How the Betrayal Changes History
The implications of Xebec’s betrayal ripple outward into the story we know.
-
Why the World Government Erased Rocks: If betrayal was involved, it may have been embarrassing to reveal that one of their most notorious enemies fell not solely to justice but to treachery. Hiding the truth maintained the myth of absolute Marine victory.
-
The Rise of Future Legends: Each Rocks Pirate went on to carve their own path. Big Mom, Kaido, and Whitebeard all became Emperors. Shiki became a legendary outlaw. Their survival after God Valley may have been tied to the betrayal—perhaps they were “allowed” to live for playing their part in Xebec’s downfall.
-
The Mystery of the D. Clan: Xebec carried the initial “D,” and betrayal within his own circle may symbolize the tragic fate that follows all bearers of that name—greatness entwined with destruction.
Fandom Reactions
The fandom has exploded with speculation, art, and videos dissecting this twist. Some fans lean toward Whitebeard as the betrayer, framing it as a moment of tragic necessity. Others insist Big Mom or Kaido are more likely, pointing to their selfish natures.
Memes and jokes abound as well, with fans posting “Who betrayed Rocks? It was me, Roger!” edits or suggesting Buggy somehow played a role despite not being present. The sheer volume of debate shows how impactful Oda’s single word—betrayal—has been.
Possible Future Payoffs
Oda rarely drops a bombshell without a plan. The Rocks betrayal could pay off in several ways:
-
Flashbacks Revealing the Traitor: We may get full panels showing exactly who stabbed Xebec in the back.
-
Parallels with Blackbeard: Blackbeard himself is building a crew filled with volatile, selfish monsters. Will history repeat itself?
-
Impact on Luffy’s Crew: By contrast, the Straw Hats’ foundation of trust will shine brighter when compared to Rocks’ doomed alliance.
Ultimately, the betrayal at God Valley may serve as a cautionary tale that highlights why Luffy’s way of piracy is not only different but destined to succeed where others failed.
Conclusion
The downfall of Rocks D. Xebec has always been one of One Piece’s greatest enigmas. With Chapter 1161 confirming betrayal, the puzzle is finally snapping into place. Yet the picture is far from complete. Who betrayed him, why they did it, and how it reshaped the world are questions that will continue to spark debates until Oda lays it all bare.
Whether it was Big Mom’s ambition, Whitebeard’s ideals, Kaido’s chaos, or a deeper conspiracy involving the Celestial Dragons, the truth will be explosive. For now, betrayal stands as the symbol of why the most terrifying crew in history never lasted—and why the Pirate King who followed was a man who trusted his nakama, not feared them.
The fandom waits with bated breath for the next chapter, eager to see how one act of treachery rewrote the course of the seas.