Summoner in One Piece

The first light of dawn brought with it a new reality for Tonryuu City. Ho Kaku's key cronies were secured, the city's armory and barracks were under Alex's control, and the remaining city guards were disarmed and awaiting orders. The military heart of Tonryuu had been seized with remarkable efficiency and minimal casualties. Now, the true work of consolidating power and preparing for the final confrontation with Ho Kaku began.

Alex stood in the main hall of the Lord's Mansion, the dawn light filtering through the high windows. His companions, though tired, stood ready. "The initial phase is complete," he announced, his voice carrying the weight of his new authority. "Jin, Bao, and Song are secured. The armory and barracks are ours. But Ho Kaku remains, and his network extends beyond those three. We must move swiftly on two fronts."

He turned to Erza and Kaelen. "Erza, Kaelen, you will lead the main force. Ho Kaku does not reside in the Lord's Mansion, but in his personal courtyard, a compound nearby. It's likely filled with his most loyal personal guards. Surround it immediately. Breach his quarters and secure him. Do not allow him to escape or destroy anything. He must be taken alive."

Erza nodded sharply, already issuing quiet commands to their assembled force of one hundred and seventeen soldiers. "Understood, Count. We move with precision." Kaelen, his hand resting on his poleaxe, gave a grim smile. "He won't know what hit him."

As Erza and Kaelen led the bulk of their forces out, moving with disciplined urgency through the quiet dawn streets towards Ho Kaku's private compound, Alex turned to Olvia and Tsunade.

"Olvia, Tsunade, your task is equally vital," Alex continued, his gaze intense. "While Ho Kaku is being secured, we need to find the honest officials, those who have suffered under his corruption. Olvia, you mentioned Chief Scholar Yuan. He is our priority. He holds the knowledge of this city's true history and its loyal servants. Tsunade, your stealth will be crucial in locating him and ensuring his safety, and the safety of any others Olvia identifies, without alerting remaining rogue elements."

Olvia adjusted her spectacles, a determined glint in her eye. "The records hinted at many who were sidelined or suppressed. Yuan is the most prominent. We will find him, Count. And we will bring him into our confidence." Tsunade gave a silent nod, her form already seeming to melt into the shadows of the mansion corridors, preparing for her discreet search.

Alex watched them go, a heavy sense of responsibility settling upon him. The city was still a powder keg, but with each calculated move, he was tightening his grip, dismantling the serpent's coils one by one. The capture of Ho Kaku and the rallying of loyal officials were the next crucial steps in truly reclaiming Tonryuu.

Erza and Kaelen moved with swift determination, their combined force of one hundred and seventeen soldiers surrounding Ho Kaku's personal compound. The compound was indeed well-guarded, with a dozen of Ho Kaku's most trusted personal guards stationed at its gates and along its walls. These men, unlike the demoralized city guards, were alert and armed, clearly expecting trouble, though perhaps not from within the city itself.

"Surrender now, in the name of Count Alex!" Erza's voice boomed, cutting through the dawn stillness. "Lay down your arms, and no harm will come to you!"

A tense silence hung in the air, followed by a defiant shout from within. "You trespass on the Temporary Manager's private residence! You will be cut down!"

"So be it," Kaelen growled, raising his poleaxe. "Breach!"

The assault was swift and overwhelming. Erza, leading the charge, moved with astonishing speed, her knightly power evident as she cleaved through the initial resistance. Kaelen, a whirlwind of steel and brute force, smashed through the gate with several of their elite soldiers. The compound guards, though loyal, were simply no match for the combined might, skill, and sheer numbers of Alex's forces. The element of surprise, coupled with the superior combat prowess of Erza, Kaelen, and Alex's elite seventeen, quickly turned the tide. The loyalist guards were overwhelmed, disarmed, and subdued with minimal struggle, their defiance crumbling in the face of such an organized and powerful assault.

Within minutes, the outer defenses were breached, and Erza and Kaelen led the charge directly to Ho Kaku's main residence within the compound. They found him in his sleeping chambers, hastily attempting to burn documents in a small brazier, his face a mask of panicked fury. He was surrounded by a handful of his remaining personal guards, who made a futile attempt to defend him.

"Ho Kaku!" Erza's voice cut through the room. "You are under arrest by order of Count Alex!"

Ho Kaku snarled, his eyes wide with fear. "You dare?! I am the Temporary Manager! This is treason!"

Kaelen simply stepped forward, his imposing figure blocking any escape. "Your 'management' is over, Ho Kaku. Your crimes are known."

The remaining guards were quickly disarmed. Ho Kaku, seeing his last line of defense crumble and facing the unwavering resolve of Erza and Kaelen, let out a frustrated cry. He made a desperate lunge for a hidden dagger, but Erza was faster, disarming him with a swift, practiced movement. Within moments, the plump manager was subdued, bound, and gagged, his face purple with rage and humiliation.

"Secure him," Erza commanded, her gaze cold. "Take him to the dungeon. And ensure no documents were fully destroyed."

With Ho Kaku now captured, the final piece of his immediate power structure was dismantled. The compound was secured, and the remaining loyal guards were taken prisoner.