Sailing: I was falsely accused of watching Nami bathe, but I'm blind.

The entire Marineford was permeated with a strange atmosphere... unique to the post-war period, a mixture of blood, smoke, sorrow, exhaustion, and deathly silence.

Kai, the "ghost" who remained hidden in the shadows from beginning to end, naturally did not make contact with any party.

He knew that now was the best time to leave.

The Navy's attention was largely focused on clearing the battlefield, treating the wounded, and dealing with the aftermath of the Red-Haired Pirates.

The pirates were immersed in immense grief and the chaos of their retreat.

The island's defense and vigilance experienced a brief and chaotic lull due to the sudden end of the war and the complex interactions between various forces.

Kai did not hesitate at all.

He once again concealed his presence to the extreme, using his precise perception of the environment and superb stealth skills to silently slide down from the top of the abandoned building where he was hiding, like dust merging into the air.

Instead of choosing ports that had already been exposed or might be under close naval surveillance, he headed towards a more concealed backup evacuation point he had previously reserved on his escape route—a natural cliff on the back of Marineford Island, connecting a complex reef area and turbulent undercurrents—and stealthily made his way there.

He proceeded cautiously, avoiding all naval patrols and makeshift checkpoints.

He even used his keen sense of Haki fluctuations to anticipate and avoid several areas where high-ranking generals might be present (such as Aokiji or Kizaru who were inspecting the battlefield?).

In the end, he arrived at the remote cliff without any major incident.

Below is the turbulent, dark seawater with its surging waves and swift currents.

In the distance, one could vaguely see the small naval patrol boat he had previously hidden (or other escape tools he had prepared).

Kai cast his senses one last time toward the massive island behind him... the one that had witnessed his decision to make the "Bloodstained Blade".

He could sense the still chaotic and oppressive atmosphere there, and he could feel the sorrow left behind by the passing of countless lives.

In his heart, there was no lingering attachment whatsoever, only an urgent desire to get away from all of this as soon as possible.

He took a deep breath, and then leaped! Like a black owl, he silently plunged into the cold, turbulent sea!

With his superb swimming skills and keen senses, he skillfully navigated the turbulent currents and jagged rocks, eventually reaching the hidden escape boat.

Without pausing for a moment, he immediately started the boat and sped away at full speed, heading in a direction far away from Marineford!

This time, he really... left.

Exhausted, filled with complex emotions, and... that "Tranquility" staff-sword stained with Ace's blood and that completely altered the course of his destiny.

Kai's act of "killing Fire Fist Ace" was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake within the Navy, stirring up complex and distinctly different reactions.

For hardliners like Akainu who believe in "complete justice," Kai's actions are undoubtedly a "great achievement"!

"Well done!" Akainu might say in an internal meeting, his voice filled with molten killing intent. "No matter who that blind man is, he took care of the bastard of the 'Pirate King' for us! He completely eliminated this biggest threat to the World Government's rule! He also dealt a heavy blow to the arrogance of those remaining pirates! This is true 'justice'!"

In their view, Kai's actions, though somewhat "unorthodox" (almost like a sneak attack), yielded the results they most desired! Any means were acceptable in order to achieve the goal of "completely eliminating evil"! They might even believe that Kai's ruthless, efficient, and unscrupulous style was precisely what the Navy should learn from and emulate! They might begin to seriously consider formally incorporating this powerful "extra-force" into the Navy, making him an even sharper "sword" in their pursuit of "complete justice"!

However, for another group within the Navy, such as Garp, Sengoku (and perhaps Aokiji and Fujitora's potential faction), who, while loyal to the Navy and the World Government, still retained a shred of "humanity" and "morality" deep down, Kai's behavior made them feel...extremely contemptuous and...uneasy.

"Taking advantage of someone's vulnerability and stabbing them in the back... what kind of justice is that?!" Garp might roar angrily, his iron fists clenching so tightly they cracked.

Although he also hoped that Ace could be "punished" (from the Navy's perspective), he absolutely could not accept ending a young life in such a despicable way! Especially... this person was his grandson whom he regarded as his own son! Kai's actions were undoubtedly another knife plunged into his heart, which was already filled with pain and struggle!

While the Sengoku period admiral might not express anger as directly as Garp, his wise eyes would inevitably reveal a hint of deep worry and vigilance.

“This ‘Jingxin’… acts too ruthlessly and has no bottom line.”

His appearance and behavior are shrouded in mystery.

While they objectively 'helped' us, such uncontrollable and self-willed dangerous individuals, if allowed to continue, could become an even more unpredictable threat than pirates in the future!

They might acknowledge Kai's strength, but they harbor great doubt and disbelief about his character and motives.

In their view, Kai's actions not only tarnished the name of "justice," but also made him seem like a cold-blooded killer... seeking some ulterior motive (such as gaining fame? or joining a dark force?). They might advocate for closer surveillance of Kai, or even... eliminating him at the opportune moment to prevent future trouble!

Within the Navy, Kai's devastating attack has created an even more complex and subtle division.

Outside the Navy, especially in the pirate world and the underworld, Kai's reputation has completely and irreparably plummeted to rock bottom!

If before, his "cold-blooded and ruthless" and "collusion with the government" were just rumors and speculations, then this time, under the spotlight (through live broadcast), he "finished off" the "Fire Fist" Ace, who was revered by countless pirates, which completely confirmed all his negative images!

"traitor!"

"rat!"

"A lackey of the government!"

"A cold-blooded executioner!"

All sorts of malicious labels have been firmly attached to "the blind hunter Jingxin"!

The remaining forces of the Whitebeard Pirates, as well as all the pirates and forces who had deep feelings for Ace and Whitebeard, regarded him as their irreconcilable enemy who must pay with their blood!

Even pirates who had previously had no dealings with him felt extreme contempt and disgust for his backstabbing behavior! In the world of pirates, although it is full of killing and betrayal, there is still a certain amount of "morality" and "rules" (at least on the surface).

Kai's act of "finishing off" a target who has already lost the ability to resist at a critical moment is considered the most despicable and vile behavior!

His "stigma" reached its peak at this moment! He became the object of contempt and persecution by the entire pirate world and the underworld!

Kai, through his own choice, has placed himself in opposition to everyone.

His future path is destined to be even more lonely, and even more...bloody.

Floating alone on the boundless sea, far away from the noisy, bloody battlefield of Marineford filled with all sorts of complex emotions, Kai finally had some... space to quietly face his inner self.

Although his body was exhausted from the previous battles and escape, his spirit was unusually excited, or rather... in a strange emptiness and exhaustion after the excitement.

In his mind, everything that happened in Marineford kept replaying, like a movie playing in his head.

Whitebeard's legendary figure and his final words...

Ace's resolute act of standing in front of the Lava Fist to protect his younger brother...

Luffy's heart-wrenching screams and utter despair...

Akainu's ruthlessness and cruelty in upholding "complete justice"...

The concerns expressed by Fujitora-senpai in his letter, and his insistence on "benevolence and righteousness"...

And...himself!

He appeared like a ghost in that split second, and then... without hesitation, he plunged the cold blade into Ace's heart!

What did it feel like at that moment?

Kai tried hard to recall.

It seems... there's no sense of satisfaction as expected? Nor any feeling of fulfilling a "just" mission?

There is only one kind of... cold, machine-like... numbness?

And...deep within that numbness, there seemed to be a faint...tremor that even he himself was unwilling to touch?

Is it excitement? Because you personally ended a symbol of an era, proving your own power?

Or is it fear? Because of the realization that he has done something... that might bring endless troubles, or even something that could completely destroy him?

Or perhaps... guilt?

Guilt?! Kai shook his head violently, trying to shake this absurd thought out of his mind!

What does he have to feel guilty about?!

Ace was the son of the Pirate King Roger! His very existence was the greatest threat to world order! His death was "necessary"! It was to prevent greater chaos! It was to end this damned Great Pirate Era!

Luffy... he's the guy who betrayed and abandoned himself! He suffered pain and lost his loved ones, and that's his own fault! It's the price he paid for his foolishness and impulsiveness!

All of this... is what they deserve! It's all "necessary evil"! It's the price they have to pay to build a more stable and orderly world!

Kai kept repeating these reasons in his mind, trying to convince himself and numb his conscience, which seemed to be starting to ache, with this cold, seemingly rational logic.

Fujitora-senpai's words echoed in his ears once more, like a ghost:

"Hold fast to your inner principles..."

"See clearly what you truly want to protect..."

"Do not let hatred... devour the undying flame of 'benevolence and righteousness' in your heart..."

Benevolence and righteousness... Kai's lips curled into a self-deprecating bitter smile.

Benevolence and righteousness? In this dog-eat-dog world where right and wrong are reversed, what is there to talk about benevolence and righteousness?

If the Straw Hat crew had shown him even a shred of kindness back then, he wouldn't have ended up in this predicament today.

If the World Government and the Navy truly valued justice, how could they tolerate the Celestial Dragons' outrageous actions? How could they launch the Buster Call to destroy Ohara? How could they sacrifice countless innocent lives for the sake of so-called "order"?

Perhaps... Fujitora-senpai is right.

However, his kind of "benevolent justice" is too idealistic, too... fragile.

Faced with this cruel reality, it is utterly vulnerable.

Chapter 98 Special Recruitment Letter—Join the Navy! Become Fleet Admiral!!!

Only power! Only order! Only an unquestionable, rigid order forged in iron and blood! Can truly end this chaotic era! Can bring... even a cold, but at least stable, peace!

In order to achieve this goal, some... necessary sacrifices, some... misunderstood "evil" are inevitable!

Kai took a deep breath, trying to suppress the wavering and confused feelings in his heart.

He told himself that he was not wrong.

He simply made the choice that was most "rational" and in line with the "big picture".