Werther crunched through the last Apple in a few bites, swallowed it, and leaned back in his chair, satisfied.
"Ahh, I feel alive again."
As he felt his strength steadily returning, Werther even began to grow drowsy.
Just as he was about to take a short nap, a Den Den Mushi suddenly rang inside his Pocket Watch.
He answered it, and Doffy's voice came through, tinged with anxiety.
"What happened, Werther? We haven't heard from you in over ten days. I've practically turned the New World upside down, and I still couldn't find you."
Werther gave a wry smile. Doffy sounded worried.
"I'm fine. I was unconscious for a while after fighting Blackbeard, but I've recovered now. And Blackbeard is—"
Before Werther could finish, a hysterical voice erupted from Doffy's end.
"Where's Werther? How could he just disappear? I'm going to find him! Don't stop me. Anyone who gets in my way, I'll kill!"
It was Chie.
"What's going on?"
Werther's expression turned grave. Chie sounded desperate, almost crazed.
"Since you disappeared, that girl you brought here, Ruri Chie, has been a wreck. For the past few days, she hasn't let anyone near her except Sugar, who's close to you.
"That little girl is strong. If I hadn't stopped her, news of your disappearance might have spread across the New World."
There was no doubt Doffy had kept his search for Werther secret.
"You did the right thing. If I suddenly vanished, certain people would start making trouble. Give Chie the Den Den Mushi."
After a moment of silence, Chie's voice came through.
"Are you still alive?"
Her voice was eerily calm.
"Yeah. I'm talking, aren't I? Of course I'm alive."
After that, Werther fell silent.
"I thought you were like my father and the others. That once you left,