Captain John put down the instrument he had worn around his neck to monitor his heartbeat and placed it on the table.
He walked to the door and opened it.
"How is Ares? X2!"
Whitebeard and the Golden Lion asked in unison, both staring at John anxiously.
"About Ares's current condition..." Captain John shook his head, making Whitebeard and the Golden Lion's hearts leap into their throats. They were so tense and anxious that their palms were sweating.
He continued, "It's somewhat complicated. There's nothing wrong with his body, but his brain hasn't regained consciousness yet. As for exactly when he'll recover..."
"Even I'm not entirely sure."
Whitebeard grew anxious. Worry appeared on his face, and his voice was several degrees heavier than usual. "You're saying Ares doesn't know when he'll wake up?!"
"Yes!" John replied firmly. "He might wake up today, or tomorrow, or the day after. It could even take one or two months... Anything is possible."
There was nothing he could do about Ares's current condition, either.
Whitebeard strode past John and entered the room. The Golden Lion immediately followed him.
The two of them stood on either side of Ares's hospital bed.
Looking at Ares, whose face was calm as if he had fallen into a deep sleep, the Golden Lion gritted his teeth and prayed softly, "Ares, you have to wake up!"
"I haven't finished teaching you swordsmanship yet, and I haven't seen you become the greatest swordsman on these seas!"
Whitebeard's face was filled with worry, and crystalline light shimmered in his eyes. He clasped Ares's hand in both of his and muttered like an old father, "Ares, I believe you'll definitely wake up."
"If..."
He ground his teeth and said, "I absolutely won't let that woman Linlin off!!"
His voice then softened as