Summoner in One Piece

During the three days leading up to General Ren's arrival, Alex's faction worked tirelessly. The newly recruited units, totaling 700 men (400 greenhorn, 200 not much of veteran), were put through intense, accelerated drills. While these short sessions couldn't elevate their unit tiers, Erza and Kaelen focused on basic discipline, formation movements, and weapon handling, ensuring they were as ready as possible for immediate deployment. The 272 good experienced soldiers (the original 267 + 5 summoned elites) were also put through rigorous exercises, their experience and combat prowess sharpened.

On the eve of General Ren's expected arrival, Alex convened his inner circle once more. "The time is upon us," he stated, a glint in his eye. "Ren will be at our gates tomorrow. We need to ensure his complete incapacitation without raising a city-wide alarm."

"Tsunade," Alex began, "your most delicate task begins now. The poison will be administered to all soldiers within the barracks after the joint patrols have departed. This is crucial. It must be a potent, fast-acting, non-lethal poison, strong enough to render them bedridden within hours, losing all combat ability for two days, with full recovery taking a week. This ensures no one suspects a trap specific to Ren's men, and more importantly, Erza and Akane's patrol units will be unaffected and ready for action."

A collective sigh of relief, quickly suppressed, went through the room. "Our core team – Erza, Kaelen, Olvia, Akane, Tsunade, Yuan, and my elite guard – will, of course, be exempt," Alex continued, his gaze unwavering. "The temporary incapacitation of the remaining forces is a necessary price to pay for securing Tonryuu without a bloody internal conflict. This ensures Ren's men will not notice anything amiss until it's too late."

Tsunade nodded, her expression grim but resolute. "It will be done, Alex. I have the means to ensure precise delivery."

"Good," Alex affirmed. "Now, for General Ren himself. Olvia, you will draft a new, highly sensitive message. This one will be from Ho Kaku to Ren. Make it sound discreet, almost conspiratorial. It should inform Ren that a 'new Count' has arrived, but that Ho Kaku is still secretly in control and needs Ren's 'loyalty' to complete a counter-coup. The message should instruct Ren to cooperate with my 'joint patrol' proposal, but to subtly isolate my soldiers within those patrols, hinting at placing me under house arrest once my forces are sufficiently dispersed."

Olvia's eyes gleamed with understanding. "A brilliant stroke, Alex. He'll walk right into it, believing he's outsmarting us for Ho Kaku."

"Exactly," Alex affirmed. "Upon his arrival, after the initial welcome, I will present this message. He will believe it's a secret order from his true master, giving him a false sense of security and ensuring his compliance with the patrol plan."

The three days of tense preparation culminated on the morning of the third day. A dust cloud on the horizon signaled General Ren's approach. The city gates were opened, not wide in welcome, but just enough to allow the passage of a disciplined military column. Alex, accompanied by Erza, Kaelen, Olvia, and Chief Scholar Yuan, stood at the entrance to the main barracks, a formal, almost deferential welcoming party. Tsunade and Akane were nowhere to be seen, already positioned for their critical roles.

General Ren rode at the head of his 400 soldiers, his face a mask of weary professionalism, though a subtle arrogance flickered in his eyes. His men, though disciplined, bore the signs of a long march. They marched into the barracks courtyard, their armor clanking, their expressions stoic.

"General Ren," Alex greeted, stepping forward with a polite, almost eager bow. "Welcome back to Tonryuu. Your return is most timely. The city has faced some... administrative challenges. Your presence is a great reassurance."

Ren dismounted, his gaze sweeping over Alex's small welcoming party, lingering for a moment on Olvia and Yuan, then on the re-organized city guards. He offered a curt nod. "Count Alex. My duty is to Tonryuu, and to the interests of the Temporary Manager, Ho Kaku, as I understand them. My men are tired, but ready to serve."

"Excellent, General," Alex replied, his smile unwavering. "Your men will be quartered immediately. Food and drink will be provided to all, a well-deserved rest after their arduous journey. We have prepared ample space within the barracks for them. And for you, General, I have an urgent, discreet message from Manager Ho Kaku himself."