---
The Eclipse's Shadow glided toward a distant, infamous island where their latest contract awaited. The job was significant: take down the Gravenfall Crew, a group of fifty vicious pirates known for their cruelty. Their leader, Darrik "Ironclaw" Vayne, had a reputation for terrorizing villages and capturing hostages—marines and civilians alike.
Michael stood at the helm, his sharp eyes focused on the horizon. Yet this time, he was not planning to engage directly. His crew needed to prove they could handle a large-scale battle on their own. It wasn't just trust—it was preparation for the future.
"You're really sitting this one out?" Amara asked, her new katana resting across her shoulders. Her tone was teasing, but her sharp gaze betrayed curiosity.
Michael smirked faintly. "I'll be watching. But this is your fight."
From above, Lia adjusted her exoskeleton, her mechanical tail flicking back and forth as she tested its balance. "No pressure, huh?"
Michael nodded toward his rifle, mounted and ready on the crow's nest. "I'll cover you if things go south. Just focus on the mission."
Saria, flexing her new claws, grinned. "We've got this, Captain. Let's show these scum what we're made of."
---
As The Eclipse's Shadow approached the Gravenfall pirates' anchored ship, the tension on deck was palpable. The Gravenfall vessel, The Maw, was enormous, its black sails tattered but imposing. The pirates' voices rang out across the water as they jeered at the approaching ship.
Amara stepped forward, her katana gleaming in the sunlight. "I'll take the lead. Saria, Lia—flank them. Keep them guessing."
Lia nodded, her mechanical tail twitching as she donned her earpiece. "Roger that."
Saria crouched, her muscles coiled like a spring. "Let's end this quickly."
---
The Eclipse's Shadow rammed into The Maw with precision, allowing the crew to board the enemy ship. Amara was the first to leap onto the deck, her katana cutting through the first wave of pirates with ruthless efficiency. Her strikes were calculated and deadly, her blade a blur of motion.
Saria followed, her claws flashing as she tore through the ranks of pirates. Her Wind-Wind Fruit abilities amplified her speed, allowing her to dart between enemies with lightning-fast strikes. The pirates barely had time to react before she incapacitated them.
Meanwhile, Lia stayed on the periphery, using her exoskeleton's mounted guns to provide suppressing fire. Her tail struck with precision, disarming enemies and keeping them at bay. Despite being outnumbered, her mechanical enhancements allowed her to fight on equal footing with the larger, brutish pirates.
---
On the other side of the battlefield, the pirates' leader, Darrik "Ironclaw" Vayne, watched the chaos unfold. His massive frame and signature steel claws gave him an imposing presence. He growled, his voice booming over the din of battle.
"Who do you think you are, attacking my ship?!"
Amara turned to face him, her smirk unwavering. "We're the ones who are going to end you."
Darrik charged, his claws slashing through the air with deadly force. Amara met him head-on, her katana deflecting his strikes with sparks flying. Their duel was fierce, the clash of metal ringing out across the deck.
Saria joined the fray, her claws tearing through Darrik's defenses. She coordinated seamlessly with Amara, their combined efforts overwhelming the pirate captain. Even Darrik's famed brutality couldn't withstand their relentless assault.
---
Lia, meanwhile, had turned her attention to the pirates guarding the hostages. A group of marines, battered and chained, were huddled in a corner of the lower deck. Lia's exoskeleton tail snapped the chains with precision, freeing the captives.
"You're safe now," Lia said, her voice steady but reassuring. "Get to The Eclipse's Shadow. We'll protect you."
The marines, though weak, nodded gratefully and began moving toward the escape route Lia had cleared.
---
Back on the upper deck, the fight was nearing its end. Amara landed a devastating blow, her katana slicing through Darrik's armor. He stumbled, blood dripping from his wounds. Before he could recover, Saria delivered the finishing strike, her claws slashing through his weapon and rendering him defenseless.
The remaining pirates, seeing their captain fall, dropped their weapons and surrendered. The battle was over.
---
Michael lowered his sniper rifle, a faint smile on his lips as he observed the crew's performance. They had handled the fight with precision and teamwork, proving their strength without his direct intervention.
As Amara, Saria, and Lia regrouped on The Eclipse's Shadow, Michael greeted them with a nod. "Good work. You handled that perfectly."
Amara smirked, sheathing her katana. "You didn't even have to fire a shot. Guess we're doing something right."
Lia adjusted her exoskeleton, her pride evident. "We're a team. That's how we win."
Saria, still catching her breath, grinned. "That was exhilarating. We couldn't have done it without your trust, Captain."
---
The crew escorted the rescued marines to a nearby neutral port, ensuring their safe return to their headquarters. Though the marines thanked them, the crew knew their actions would draw attention—not all of it welcome.
---
Marine Headquarters - A Day Later
Fleet Admiral Sengoku sat in his office, a stack of reports in front of him. One in particular caught his attention: the defeat of the Gravenfall pirates and the rescue of marines by an unknown crew.
He frowned, flipping through the details. "So, they're not just bounty hunters anymore. This group—'The Requiem,' they call themselves now—has taken on a full crew of pirates."
Garp, seated across the room, laughed heartily. "Sounds like another batch of rookies stirring up trouble. You gotta admit, Sengoku, they're impressive."
Sengoku's glare hardened. "Impressive or not, they're a threat. Their captain—Michael Carter—is dangerous, and now we have evidence his crew is just as formidable."
With a sigh, he stamped a pile of wanted posters with fresh bounties, each bearing a new title under the name The Requiem.
---
Back on The Eclipse's Shadow
The crew gathered around the dining table as Michael laid out the latest stack of wanted posters. Each member now bore their own bounty, the amounts reflecting their growing notoriety.
Amara grinned as she held up her poster. "Not bad. They're finally taking us seriously."
Lia's eyes sparkled with a mix of pride and amusement. "We're officially a crew now, Captain. 'The Requiem,' huh? Sounds fitting."
Michael leaned back in his chair, his expression calm but resolute. "It's not just a name. It's what we stand for. A reminder to those who prey on the innocent—they'll face us, and they'll fall."
The crew nodded in agreement, their unity unshaken. The Grand Line was vast, and their journey was far from over, but The Requiem had made its mark.
Their legend was just beginning.
---