The alliance between the Marines and Roger Pirates, a pivotal moment in One Piece history, wasn’t a casual decision. A deep dive into the circumstances reveals just how formidable the Rocks Pirates truly were. If Rocks D. Xebec’s crew hadn’t posed an existential threat, the World Government wouldn’t have needed to enlist pirate assistance; they would have deployed their admirals, as is standard procedure when Celestial Dragons are involved.
Consider the incident involving Kizaru being dispatched to deal with a minor offense against a Celestial Dragon. This highlights the admirals’ role in protecting the World Nobles. The absence of admirals in initial accounts of God Valley, except for Garp, becomes glaring. Garp’s renowned dislike for Celestial Dragons further suggests his presence at God Valley wasn’t about protecting them, but facing a threat far exceeding the admirals’ capabilities alone. It’s plausible that the Rocks Pirates overwhelmed the admirals, necessitating the Roger Pirates’ involvement to prevent a complete World Government collapse. This also explains why Xebec’s name is shrouded in secrecy compared to Roger’s – the World Government actively suppresses information about the scale of the Rocks Pirates’ threat.
Public knowledge of the true events at God Valley could severely damage the Marines’ carefully constructed image. If civilians understood that the Marines were forced to rely on pirates to defeat another pirate crew, it could erode public trust and faith in their protectors. This need for secrecy further underscores the immense danger posed by the Rocks Pirates.
Even in the current era, the mere prospect of an alliance between Big Mom and Kaido sends shivers down the Marines’ spine, explicitly because it evokes memories of the Rocks Pirates. This fear is telling. It demonstrates that the Rocks Pirates weren’t just another powerful crew; they represented a level of organized, chaotic power that threatened the very foundations of the world order.
Dismissing the Rocks Pirates as a minor threat, especially given the Roger-Garp alliance and the World Government’s reaction, creates a significant inconsistency within the One Piece narrative. Their acknowledged danger is crucial to understanding the power dynamics and historical context of the One Piece world.
