Beyond Rocks D. Xebec: The True Mastermind of the Void Century Revealed by Oda

For years, the pirate world has revered, and in some cases, feared the name Rocks D. Xebec. The captain of the legendary Rocks Pirates, the man who commanded the likes of Whitebeard, Big Mom, and Kaido, was believed to be the greatest threat the World Government ever faced. The God Valley Incident, a moment in history so catastrophic it had to be erased, was his final stand. But in a recent bombshell reveal from Eiichiro Oda himself, we’ve learned that Rocks was not the strongest pirate of his era, or even the strongest to have lived. In a new, groundbreaking special feature in the September 2025 issue of V-Jump, Oda has officially introduced a new, shadowy figure from the Void Century—a pirate who was not only stronger than Rocks, but was, in fact, his teacher and the true architect of the God Valley Incident.

This article delves into the unprecedented details from this special issue, unpacking the lore-shattering implications of this new character, their connection to the ancient past, and why this single reveal has fundamentally changed our understanding of the entire One Piece universe. The legend of Rocks D. Xebec was a misdirection, a mere prelude to a much darker and more powerful truth.

The Celestial Dragon’s Puppet: Unveiling “Sovereign”

The new character, known only by the codename “Sovereign,” is a pirate from the Void Century who had already achieved a level of power and influence far beyond what Rocks ever attained. Unlike Rocks, who was a force of pure chaos, Sovereign was a master manipulator, a strategic genius whose actions shaped the world for centuries. The V-Jump special feature reveals that Sovereign was not just a pirate; he was a former Celestial Dragon who turned against his own kind, taking with him a forbidden knowledge and a mastery of a new form of Haki that is said to be “beyond even the Conqueror’s.”

Sovereign’s power is not just in his immense strength, but in his ability to control and influence people. He is the true architect of the Rocks Pirates, having manipulated Rocks D. Xebec and his crew into becoming his pawns. The God Valley Incident was not a battle initiated by Rocks, but a final, desperate move by Sovereign to reclaim a piece of ancient technology from the Celestial Dragons. His power-up, a mysterious, unnamed Devil Fruit, is a Zoan-type fruit that allows him to transform into a mythical creature of unimaginable power. He is the true villain of the Void Century, a twisted, exiled king who seeks to burn the world to the ground not for personal gain, but for revenge against the Celestial Dragons he once called family.

This is a narrative twist that completely re-contextualizes the God Valley Incident. It wasn’t a battle between the World Government and an unstoppable force of nature; it was a carefully orchestrated chess match, with the likes of Garp and Gol D. Roger being unwitting players. Rocks D. Xebec was a mere pawn, a testament to Sovereign’s ultimate manipulative power. This new pirate’s influence also explains why the World Government went to such extreme lengths to erase the God Valley Incident from history, as it would not only expose the existence of an even greater threat than Rocks, but also reveal the truth about their own bloody past. The very fabric of the One Piece manga is now being rewoven, with this new character at the center of the story.

Beyond Haki: A New Form of Power

One of the most exciting revelations in the V-Jump issue is the hint of a new, fourth form of Haki. While Conqueror’s Haki is said to be the power of kings, the issue teases that Sovereign’s power, dubbed “Supreme Haki,” is the power of a god. This new Haki, which is distinct from the other three forms, is said to allow the user to bend the very will of those around them, making them nearly impossible to resist. This power, which has only been seen in the hands of the most powerful Celestial Dragons, explains why Sovereign was able to control and manipulate the strongest pirates in the world to serve his own ends. This Haki is not about crushing an opponent’s spirit, but about rewriting their mind entirely. It is a terrifying, almost omnipotent power that, in the wrong hands, could subjugate the entire world.

The existence of this new Haki also provides a new goal for Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates. While Luffy’s Conqueror’s Haki is the strongest the world has seen in centuries, he will likely need to master this new form of power to defeat the true final boss of the series. The V-Jump issue also connects Sovereign’s Supreme Haki to the origins of the Poneglyphs, which are said to be a direct counter to the new Haki’s power. This new character is not just a powerful opponent; he is a key to unlocking the true mysteries of the Void Century and the very nature of the One Piece world. He is the link between the ancient past and the present, the one who orchestrated the destruction of an entire century to bring his personal vision to fruition.

The Final Boss of the One Piece Universe

With this new revelation, Rocks D. Xebec is no longer the final word on piracy and power. He was a stepping stone, a minor player in a much larger game. The new pirate, Sovereign, is the true enemy, a master strategist with an immense power that is more terrifying than any Devil Fruit. He is a living link to the Void Century, a character who has been hiding in the shadows all along, manipulating events and people to suit his grand design. This is the narrative pivot that fans have been waiting for, a twist that elevates the story of One Piece to a new level of epic scale and high-stakes conflict. The legend of Rocks was just the tip of the iceberg, and now, we are finally diving into the dark and mysterious world that lies beneath. Prepare yourselves, because the final saga is no longer just about the pirates; it’s about the very history of the world itself.