Above Egghead Island, an azure dragon coiled through the sky, startling birds into scattering in all directions. Its dense blue scales shimmered like emeralds beneath the sunlight.
Time was of the essence. Once they made their decision, everyone set out immediately.
Vegapunk took the Going Merry back into the research stratum's warehouse for safekeeping. After Nami got Eternal Poses for Hachinosu Island and Egghead from him, Reiner summoned an undead creature to carry everyone away.
The azure dragon burst through the clouds, shaking off strands of cotton-white mist wrapped around its body. Reiner and the others sat or lay across its back, gripping its mane tightly in excitement.
"Hahaha! Dragon Rider Luffy has arrived!"
Luffy stood directly atop the dragon's head, gripping its mighty horns with both hands as though he were steering the azure dragon through the clouds. His face was full of excitement.
"Go! Charge straight for Hachinosu Island!"
"Me too, me too! Dragon Rider Chopper has arrived!"
Chopper jumped up onto Luffy's shoulder, looking both excited and scared as he tightly hugged Luffy's forehead.
Beside them, Usopp and Franky teased him.
"No, Chopper, yours should be called Dragon Rider Rider."
"Wouldn't Luffy Rider sound better?"
"Ah, I've got it."
A light bulb seemed to pop up above Usopp's head. His eyes lit up as he raised a finger.
"Luffy is a Rubber Man, so he should be called Rubber Rider."
It would be better to call him Nika Rider. Sun God Rider wouldn't be bad either.
Reiner silently thought to himself, not joining in their antics as he turned to look at Zoro, Sanji, and the others.
"The top priority of this operation is rescuing Hancock. Fighting isn't the issue. What worries me is that Blackbeard might use Hancock as a hostage to threaten us."
"Indeed. From