Summoner in One Piece

Tsunade's return to Tonryuu was swift, her report delivered to Alex with the precision of a seasoned scout. The news about General Ren was both a relief and a grave concern. He was indeed returning with 400 men, but his true nature as a ruthless opportunist, deeply entangled in Ho Kaku's illicit iron mining operation and the bandit stronghold, was now undeniable. The 100 men left behind with 'The Iron Hand' at the mine were a clear sign of his continued defiance. Alex now had a clearer picture of the enemy outside his walls, and the clock was ticking.

Alex had reviewed the numbers from Olvia's recruitment drive: their total force stood at 867 men, a significant improvement but still far from the 5000 promised by the Royal Decree. He felt a cold knot in his stomach. The situation was perilous. An outlaw general with a rogue army was operating within his fief, and Tonryuu, being on the Zhao border, was constantly at risk. They desperately needed more manpower, and quickly.

With an urgent need for more manpower, he had used a dead soldier (a system resource acquired from a previous battle, allowing for a limited summoning) to summon five additional elite soldiers, bolstering his core. His gaze then fell upon his 2000 system points. Knowing he needed to build a sustainable, powerful army for the long run, and having browsed the items, he decided to invest in the Army Training Barracks.

He activated the item, and with a shimmer of system energy, the blueprint for an Army Training Barracks was laid over the existing military barracks within Tonryuu. The system confirmed its capabilities: it could train up to 500 units at once, offering progressive training through three distinct ranks. Newbie Soldiers were basic recruits, requiring minimal time for initial drills. Trained Soldiers demonstrated competence and proficiency in fundamental combat. The highest rank, Elite Soldiers, represented specialized units like the formidable Imperial Sentinels (heavy infantry with shield, spear, and short sword, boasting Heavy Armor and Vanguard expertise, and capable of a rhythmic 'Advance' skill to knock back enemies; their full training unlocked Health Boost, Defense Buff, and damage increase based on damage taken) or the thunderous Xuanjia Heavy Cavalry (heavy armored cavalry wielding long swords, renowned for their Great Armor, Charger, and 'Kings of the Battlefield' expertise; their skills included 'Thunder Charge' for devastating charges and 'Disciplined Assault' for sustained, immune attacks; full training granted Nimble Cavalry, Assault Boost, and Charge Heal). Training duration varied significantly based on the desired rank and unit type: Newbie Soldiers could be basic in a week, Trained Soldiers might take 1-3 months, while fully fledged Elite units like Imperial Sentinels or Xuanjia Heavy Cavalry could require 3-6 months or even 1-3 years of rigorous training to master their unique skills and attributes. This barracks was a long-term investment, a foundation for his future army, but it offered no immediate solution to the looming threat.

General Ren and his 400 rogue soldiers were now expected to arrive at Tonryuu's gates in approximately 3 days, due to the time taken to break and prepare their camp. This gave Alex a precious, but still tight, window.

Alex listened to Tsunade's report on General Ren, his expression thoughtful. "So, he's ambitious, suspicious, and still tied to Ho Kaku's schemes, even if he doesn't know Ho Kaku is captured," Alex summarized. "And he's left a hundred men at the mine with the bandits."

"Precisely, Alex," Tsunade confirmed. "He's playing his own game, but he's coming back."

Alex paced the war room, his mind racing through the options. An ambush, while tempting, carried too many risks. 400 seasoned, albeit rogue, soldiers against his still-reforming 867, many of whom were new recruits or recently swayed, was a gamble he couldn't afford. A bloody fight outside the city would destabilize everything, alert Ryo Fui's network, and potentially turn the populace against him.

"We will play along," Alex finally decided, his voice firm. "We will prepare a formal welcome for General Ren. We will integrate his 400 soldiers into the city's defense force." He saw the surprised looks on his companions' faces.

"Alex, are you sure?" Erza asked, her brow furrowed. "Bringing a known rogue force inside the city walls... it's a massive risk."

"It is," Alex conceded. "But it's a calculated one. Our forces, while growing, are not yet strong enough to decisively defeat Ren's hardened troops in a pitched battle without significant casualties. If we ambush him, we risk a prolonged engagement, and the news will spread. This city is on the border; we cannot afford to appear weak or divided. By bringing them in, we gain control over their movements, we gain their numbers, and we gain the element of surprise for when we do make our move against Ren."

He looked at Olvia. "We will continue to operate under the guise that Ho Kaku is still in charge, at least for Ren's benefit. You will draft a formal welcome, making it clear that Ren's return is seen as a vital reinforcement for the new Count. Emphasize the need for unity and strength against external threats."

Olvia nodded, already considering the wording. "It will be convincing, Alex."

"Tsunade, Akane," Alex continued, "your roles become even more critical. Once Ren's forces are integrated, you will subtly monitor him and his key lieutenants. We need to know who his true loyalists are, their routines, their vulnerabilities. We need to identify any attempts to communicate with the iron mine or the bandits. We need to know everything."

"Consider it done," Akane said, a faint, predatory glint in her eyes. Tsunade gave her usual silent, efficient nod.

"Erza, Kaelen," Alex turned to his military commanders. "You will oversee the integration. Ren's 400 men will be quartered separately, but within the main barracks. Mix our newly swayed city guards and militia with them where possible, but keep our elite units, and especially our new recruits, distinct and ready. We will assign them new duties, new patrol routes, and begin to subtly re-educate them on their loyalty to Qin. It will be a delicate balance. We need their numbers, but we cannot trust them."

"It will be a challenge, Alex," Erza admitted, "but we can manage it. We'll ensure they're under constant, if discreet, observation."

"And the iron mine?" Olvia asked. "And the 100 men with the bandits?"

"That remains a critical threat, and a key objective," Alex stated. "But we cannot divide our forces just yet. Bringing Ren's 400 inside gives us the numerical advantage we need to deal with him first, and then turn our full attention to the mine. We will continue to gather intelligence on the mine and the bandits through Tsunade and Akane's network. Once Ren is neutralized, we will strike there with overwhelming force, rescue the villagers, and secure that resource."

The decision was made. For the next three days, Tonryuu would prepare not for an ambush, but for a deceptive welcome, a strategic embrace of a viper, all while preparing for the moment to strike.