Summoner in One Piece

The dawn light, which had illuminated Alex's swift military takeover, now cast long shadows as Olvia and Tsunade began their delicate mission. While Erza and Kaelen were securing Ho Kaku, their task was to find Chief Scholar Yuan, the man Olvia's research suggested was a beacon of integrity in Tonryuu's corrupted administration.

Olvia, with her keen understanding of administrative structures and a map of the mansion's less-frequented areas, led Tsunade directly to a secluded, rarely used section beneath the administrative offices. The air grew damp and heavy as they descended a hidden staircase, the faint smell of mildew hinting at forgotten corridors. Tsunade's ninja senses, however, detected something else: the faint, rhythmic sound of a man's breathing, and the subtle energy of despair.

They found him in a hidden cell, a cramped, dark space carved into the stone, accessible only through a cleverly disguised door. Chief Scholar Yuan, a man of advanced years with a wispy beard and intelligent, weary eyes, sat slumped against the cold wall, his wrists chafed by old bindings. He looked thin and gaunt, but his spirit, though dimmed, was not broken.

As Tsunade silently disarmed the simple lock and swung the heavy door inward, Yuan flinched, his eyes narrowing, expecting more tormentors.

"Chief Scholar Yuan?" Olvia whispered, stepping into the dim light. Her voice was gentle, reassuring. "We are here from Count Alex. We mean you no harm. We are here to help."

Yuan blinked, his eyes slowly adjusting to their forms. He saw Olvia's scholarly robes, Tsunade's quiet, disciplined presence. He recognized the emblem on Olvia's sash – a subtle, unofficial mark of scholarly pursuit that Ho Kaku's men wouldn't have understood. "Count Alex?" he rasped, his voice hoarse from disuse. "What... what is this?" Suspicion warred with a flicker of desperate hope in his eyes.

Tsunade, ever efficient, moved to his side, swiftly and expertly undoing his bindings. The relief on Yuan's face was palpable as the ropes fell away.

"Alex has come to reclaim Tonryuu from Ho Kaku's corruption," Olvia explained, her voice gaining a quiet authority. "We know of Ho Kaku's treachery, his manipulation of the city's resources, and his alliance with bandits. We know you were imprisoned for your integrity." She then produced a small, rolled parchment – a copy of the Royal Decree, carefully sealed by Alex. "Alex carries the full authority of His Majesty Ei Sei. He seeks to restore justice and prosperity to Tonryuu, and he needs the guidance of honest men like yourself."

Yuan's gaze fixed on the Royal Decree, his eyes widening as he recognized the imperial seal. The weight of the document, the genuine concern in Olvia's voice, and the undeniable fact of his liberation from Ho Kaku's dungeon, shattered his remaining skepticism. A wave of profound relief washed over him, followed by a surge of renewed purpose.

"The gods be praised," he murmured, tears welling in his eyes. "I... I thought all was lost. Ho Kaku... he has poisoned this city from within. I have much to tell you, much to share. Records, hidden accounts, names of those who remained loyal despite his tyranny..." He pushed himself up, leaning heavily on Olvia's arm. "Lead the way. I am at Count Alex's service."

With Chief Scholar Yuan now secured and willing to cooperate, Alex's plan to rebuild Tonryuu's administration had gained its first, crucial pillar.

Hours later, as the sun climbed higher, Alex, his companions, and the newly rescued Chief Scholar Yuan gathered in the Lord's Mansion's war room. The air was thick with the scent of old parchment and the quiet hum of strategic minds at work. Ho Kaku was secured in the dungeon, his cronies likewise. Erza and Kaelen had returned, having successfully taken the armory and barracks, and their forces were now consolidating control over the city's military points.

"Chief Scholar Yuan," Alex began, gesturing for him to sit comfortably. "We're really grateful for your resilience. Olvia's already shared some of your insights from the city records. Now, with your direct knowledge, we need to understand the full scope of Ho Kaku's mess."

Yuan, though still frail, spoke with renewed vigor. "Count Alex, your swift action has saved Tonryuu. But Ho Kaku's influence extends beyond these walls. The most immediate threat is the seven hundred soldiers he claimed were on 'training exercises' under 'General Ren.' These men are not loyal to Qin; they are a rogue force, actively destabilizing the region. If they learn of Ho Kaku's fall, they could become an even greater menace, or worse, flee into Zhao territory."

"We need to get them back immediately," Yuan urged, his eyes fixed on Alex. "Before news of this coup reaches them. We must issue a summons, disguised as a legitimate order from Ho Kaku, stating that a new Count has arrived, and their presence is urgently required to maintain order and demonstrate strength."

Olvia, who had been reviewing some of the documents salvaged from Ho Kaku's office, chimed in. "Yuan's right, Alex. And these documents confirm another disturbing detail about those rogue forces and the bandits. It appears Ho Kaku wasn't just using them for chaos. He was exploiting a newly discovered iron mine in the mountains, a rich vein of ore. The two hundred men aiding 'The Iron Hand's' bandits were securing this mine and its output, funneling the resources directly to Ryo Fui's network, likely for weapons production."

Alex's jaw tightened. "So, the bandit issue is directly tied to a strategic resource. This makes securing that mine and neutralizing those forces even more critical."

"The priority, however, remains the seven hundred," Yuan stressed. "Without them, Tonryuu's defenses are severely depleted, and we cannot effectively project power or deal with the bandits."

"Agreed," Alex affirmed. "Erza, how's the city guard reorganization coming along?"

Erza stepped forward. "Alex, the initial phase is complete. Of the 200 city guards we found, 20 are now imprisoned, and sadly, 30 died resisting or in the initial confusion. That leaves us with 150 of the original guards, plus the 80 we swayed, and the 20 young men from the refugees. Our total fighting force within the city is now 267. My 17 elite soldiers have been assigned as 5-man squad leaders, integrating them into the larger force to instill discipline and loyalty. We're actively reforming them, but it will take time to bring them to full readiness."

Alex nodded, taking in the numbers. It was a start, but a far cry from the 5000 men the Royal Decree promised. "Our first, immediate priority is to get those 700 rogue soldiers back under Qin's banner. Their return is paramount for Tonryuu's security and for any offensive operations."

He looked at Olvia. "Can you draft a convincing summons, using Ho Kaku's style and seal, for General Ren to return immediately? Make it sound urgent, but also appealing to his perceived loyalty to Ho Kaku's 'scheme'."

Olvia gave a confident smile. "Consider it done, Alex. We have enough of Ho Kaku's documents to replicate his hand and seal perfectly."

"Tsunade," Alex continued, turning to his ninja friend, "you'll personally deliver this message. Your speed and stealth are unmatched. Make sure it reaches General Ren, and observe his reaction. Don't engage, just deliver and return with your report."

Tsunade gave a silent nod, her eyes already focused on the task.

The plan was clear. The first step in truly reclaiming Tonryuu was to bring its lost army home.