---
The Eclipse's Shadow glided through the Grand Line with newfound power, its upgrades making it faster, more durable, and deadlier than ever. The crew, invigorated by their progress during the six-month training period, was eager to test their skills and the ship's enhancements in a real encounter.
Michael stood at the helm, his eyes scanning the horizon as the ship sailed toward an area known for its treacherous waters and dangerous adversaries. The quiet hum of the upgraded propulsion system filled the air, a constant reminder of Lia's ingenuity.
"We're entering Tempest Reach, Captain," Amara said, joining him. Her katana hung at her side, the edge gleaming in the sunlight. "This place is notorious for pirate activity. If we're looking for a fight, we'll find one here."
Michael smirked, his sharp eyes narrowing. "Good. Let's see what the Grand Line has in store for us."
---
The first sign of trouble came just after noon. A lookout perched in the crow's nest, Saria spotted a black flag on the horizon. Her long ears twitched as she squinted through the spyglass.
"Pirate ship!" she called down. "Looks like a big crew—at least seventy, maybe more."
Michael's smirk didn't falter. "Perfect. Let's put our training to the test."
Lia emerged from below deck, her exoskeleton gleaming as her mechanical tail swayed behind her. "Finally, some action. Let's see if all this work pays off."
The pirate ship drew closer, its size and weaponry becoming more apparent. The massive vessel, named The Iron Drake, was bristling with cannons and manned by a crew eager for battle.
Amara leaned against the railing, her smirk widening. "They don't look friendly."
"They won't be when we're done with them," Saria added, flexing her claws.
Michael raised his hand, his voice calm but commanding. "Let's not underestimate them. Lia, activate the shields. Amara, Saria—prepare for boarding. I'll stay here and cover you."
---
As the two ships closed the distance, The Iron Drake fired its first volley of cannonballs. Lia's upgraded shield system deployed seamlessly, the retractable plates absorbing the impact with minimal damage.
"Shields holding," Lia reported, her voice steady. "They'll need more than that to break through."
Michael nodded, raising his sniper rifle. From his elevated position, he picked off the enemy gunners with precision, his Observation Haki guiding every shot. Each pull of the trigger was followed by a distant thud as an enemy fell, throwing The Iron Drake's crew into disarray.
"Let's move!" Amara shouted, leaping onto the enemy ship with Soru. Her katana flashed as she cut through the first wave of pirates, her Armament Haki coating the blade in a dark sheen.
Saria followed close behind, her Wind-Wind Fruit abilities amplifying her speed and agility. She struck with Shigan, her claws piercing armor and sending enemies sprawling.
---
Back on The Eclipse's Shadow, Lia controlled the cannons, firing precise shots that disabled The Iron Drake's weapons. Her mechanical tail lashed out, swatting away any pirates who attempted to board their ship.
"This is almost too easy," Lia muttered, her hands flying over the controls.
"Don't get cocky," Michael warned, his rifle never wavering. "We've only seen the grunts so far."
As if on cue, the captain of The Iron Drake emerged—a hulking man clad in heavy armor, wielding a massive axe. His booming voice carried across the deck. "You dare attack The Iron Drake? You'll regret this!"
Amara smirked, her katana poised. "Let's see if you're as tough as you look."
The clash was intense, the captain's strength matching Amara's speed and skill. His axe struck with enough force to splinter wood, but Amara dodged with Soru, her katana finding its mark in the gaps of his armor.
Saria joined the fray, her claws slashing at the captain's exposed areas. Together, they overwhelmed him, their teamwork leaving him no room to counterattack. With a final strike, Amara's blade pierced his chest, ending the fight.
---
The remaining pirates, seeing their captain fall, surrendered quickly. Amara and Saria regrouped, their breaths steady despite the battle's intensity.
"Not bad," Amara said, sheathing her katana. "We're getting better."
"Teamwork," Saria replied with a grin. "It makes all the difference."
---
Back on The Eclipse's Shadow, Michael lowered his rifle, his smirk returning. "You handled that well."
Lia joined him at the helm, her exoskeleton gleaming in the sunlight. "The shields worked perfectly, and the propulsion system made it easy to outmaneuver them. I'd say this was a success."
Michael nodded, his pride evident. "The ship performed flawlessly, and so did the crew. This is just the beginning."
---
As the crew gathered to celebrate their victory, they took stock of their progress. Each member had grown stronger, their skills sharpened and their bond unbreakable. The Eclipse's Shadow, now a symbol of their unity and ingenuity, was ready for whatever lay ahead.
Their legend as The Requiem continued to grow, their actions echoing across the Grand Line. But as they sailed into the unknown, they knew the challenges would only become greater.
And they wouldn't have it any other way.