Many Fans Are Criticizing Whitebeard For Running From Garp During The God Valley Flashback
The God Valley flashback was supposed to further solidify Whitebeard’s status as one of the greatest pirates in history—but instead, one particular moment has sparked an unexpected wave of criticism. In recent chapters, fans watched a young Edward Newgate pull back rather than fully engage Monkey D. Garp in direct combat, and that brief scene has set off a storm of debate across the One Piece community.
To some readers, seeing the future “Strongest Man in the World” retreat from a fight feels like a betrayal of the unshakable monster they remember from Marineford. Social media threads, comment sections, and fan discussions are filled with people questioning whether this portrayal weakens Whitebeard’s legacy, with a vocal minority even joking that the flashback makes him look more like a runner than a warrior.
The God Valley Arc Has Taken Over the Fandom
Part of why this moment has become so contentious is that the God Valley Incident itself has completely taken over the fandom’s attention. The arc has quickly become one of the most captivating storylines in One Piece history, and many fans aren’t ready for it to end.
Eiichiro Oda’s exploration of this long-mysterious event has brought together legendary figures like Rocks D. Xebec, Gol D. Roger, Monkey D. Garp, and even the enigmatic Imu — creating a flashback that feels more like a grand historical epic than a side story. The narrative dives deep into the power struggles that shaped the modern world of One Piece, revealing long-hidden secrets about the Celestial Dragons and the early days of piracy.
For many, it’s a rare glimpse into the “true history” of the world, something fans have been waiting for since the manga’s earliest chapters. That’s precisely why every panel, including Whitebeard’s decision to withdraw from Garp, is being dissected under a microscope.
Why Whitebeard’s Retreat Is Stirring Controversy
In isolation, a strategic retreat in the middle of an overwhelming battlefield wouldn’t normally be shocking. But in the context of Whitebeard’s mythic reputation, some fans feel the scene clashes with how the character has been framed for years.
At Marineford, Whitebeard was introduced as a towering, unshakable force who stood firm even while being betrayed, stabbed, shot, and blasted by multiple Admirals. That version of Newgate defined “unwavering resolve.” In contrast, seeing his younger self pull away from Garp during God Valley has led some viewers to argue that Oda is “softening” his legend compared to Roger, Rocks, and Garp.
Critics argue that:
- The scene visually frames Garp as the overwhelming presence, with Whitebeard seemingly choosing not to push the fight.
- Compared to Roger’s fearless clashes or Rocks’ ferocity, Whitebeard’s withdrawal feels out of character for the man who would later be dubbed the “Strongest Man in the World.”
- The moment risks feeding into jokes and memes that reduce a complex character to a single, out-of-context reaction.
As a result, debate has flared over whether this was a necessary piece of nuance—or an unintentional blow to Whitebeard’s aura.
Defenders Say It Shows Growth, Not Cowardice
On the other side of the discussion, many fans are defending Whitebeard’s portrayal and calling the criticism shallow or unfair. They point out that God Valley is a chaotic, hellish battleground where even monsters have to pick their fights carefully.
From this perspective, Whitebeard’s decision not to fully engage Garp isn’t a sign of cowardice—it’s a sign of judgment. At this point in the timeline, Newgate is still under Rocks’ banner, not yet the captain who commands his own “family.” He is powerful, but not yet the seasoned veteran who would one day face an entire fleet to save Ace.
Supporters argue that:
- Strategic retreat is realistic in a war filled with top-tier monsters on all sides.
- The flashback is meant to show how even legends like Whitebeard had moments of doubt, caution, or conflict before becoming the icons we know.
- Seeing young Newgate in a more vulnerable or hesitant light makes his later self at Marineford feel even more impressive by contrast.
For these readers, God Valley isn’t diminishing his legacy — it’s fleshing it out.
Fans Don’t Want to Return to the Straw Hats Yet
While this Whitebeard vs. Garp debate rages, another surprising consensus has formed: many fans don’t actually want to leave God Valley and return to the main timeline just yet.
Social media platforms are full of fans expressing that this arc feels like the most thrilling part of One Piece in years — with its dark tone, intense storytelling, and lore-heavy revelations. While Luffy and his crew are the emotional core of the series, the God Valley storyline offers something entirely different: a look at the legends and events that shaped everything we know.
One fan summed it up best on X (formerly Twitter):
“If we return to the Straw Hats now, it’ll feel like waking up from a dream.”
The sentiment highlights a unique moment in the fandom, where the past has become more captivating than the present adventure, and where every character choice, including Whitebeard’s, carries enormous weight.
A Testament to Oda’s Storytelling and Legacy
If anything, the fact that a single panel of Whitebeard stepping back from Garp can trigger this level of debate is proof of just how deeply One Piece has embedded its characters into fans’ minds. The enthusiasm surrounding the God Valley flashback underscores Eiichiro Oda’s enduring genius as a storyteller.
After more than two decades, he continues to surprise readers by revealing layers of history that connect generations of pirates, marines, and rulers. The arc’s pacing, emotion, and scope have reminded fans of One Piece’s golden era — a blend of mystery, world-building, and drama that few series can match.
Even as some fans fear that returning to the Straw Hats will slow the story’s momentum, others believe this balance between past and present is what makes One Piece timeless. Whether the flashback ends soon or continues, the God Valley saga has already cemented itself as one of the most powerful and defining chapters in the series’ history.
And when the dust settles, it’s likely that Whitebeard’s controversial moment will be remembered not just as “the time he ran from Garp,” but as one small fragment in a much larger portrait of a man who grew from ambitious young pirate to the unshakable “father” of an era.
