Summoner in One Piece

The echoes of Alex's proclamation still resonated through Tonryuu, a mixture of shock and dawning hope among the populace. But in the quiet depths of the Lord's Mansion, a different kind of work was underway. Tsunade and Akane, relentless in their pursuit of truth, delved into the minds of the captured conspirators.

Hours bled into the next day as Tsunade and Akane conducted their intensive interrogations. Ho Kaku, initially defiant, crumbled under the weight of his isolation and Tsunade's subtle psychological pressure, combined with the undeniable evidence Olvia had unearthed. General Ren, though weakened by the poison and his capture, maintained a stubborn silence, his cunning eyes searching for weaknesses. The cronies, Jin, Bao, and Song, were a mix of terrified compliance and desperate denial.

Tsunade focused her efforts on Ho Kaku and General Ren, knowing they held the most critical information. She employed a combination of calculated revelations and relentless questioning. "Ho Kaku," she began, her voice calm but piercing, "your 'secret' message to General Ren was intercepted. He believed he was outsmarting Count Alex for you, while you were already rotting in this cell. Tell us the full extent of Ryo Fui's reach."

The revelation of his own deception, turned against him, broke Ho Kaku's spirit. He began to confess, slowly at first, then with a torrent of resentful detail. General Ren, seeing his last hope of a counter-move vanish and realizing the depth of Ho Kaku's betrayal, eventually followed suit, his ambition now turning into a desperate desire for a more lenient fate. Jin, Bao, and Song, seeing their leaders crack, quickly became more cooperative, eager to save their own skins.

By the end of the day, Alex had a chillingly clear picture of the conspiracy.

Key Intelligence Gained:Ryo Fui's Regional Network: Ho Kaku was merely one cog in a much larger machine. Ryo Fui had similar "Temporary Managers" or "allies" placed in at least three other key border fiefs along the Qin-Zhao frontier. These individuals were tasked with destabilizing their regions and diverting resources. Ryo Fui, believing Qin rightfully belonged to him, aimed to create internal chaos and accumulate wealth, preparing the ground for his eventual, decisive move to claim the throne, rather than allowing external powers like Zhao to conquer Qin territory. Communication was typically via coded messages carried by specialized couriers, with a central hub in a neutral merchant city further south.

The Iron Mine's Full Scope: The iron mine, located approximately two days' march northeast of Tonryuu, was indeed a significant operation. It was a rich vein of high-quality iron ore, crucial for weapon production. Ho Kaku confirmed that the 100 men General Ren had left behind were not just guarding the mine, but actively overseeing forced labor from kidnapped villagers. The ore was being processed crudely on-site and then smuggled out via a network of hidden trails, primarily to Ryo Fui's clandestine workshops in the neutral merchant city. 'The Iron Hand' and his bandits were essentially Ryo Fui's enforcers, ensuring the mine's security and the flow of resources. Ho Kaku revealed that while the mine had been secured for several months, active ore extraction had only begun just last month, with the preceding time used to consolidate their hold on key positions within Tonryuu City itself.

Hidden Assets & Collaborators: Ho Kaku revealed several hidden caches of gold and resources within Tonryuu, intended for Ryo Fui's network or for his own escape. He also named a few minor officials and influential merchants within Tonryuu who were secretly loyal to him or Ryo Fui, providing them with information or logistical support.

The interrogations provided Alex with invaluable, actionable intelligence. The capture of Ho Kaku and General Ren was not just a local victory; it was a significant blow to Ryo Fui's regional destabilization efforts. But it also revealed the daunting scale of the challenge he faced. Tonryuu was just one piece of a much larger, insidious puzzle.

Following the comprehensive interrogations, Alex moved swiftly to consolidate his position and demonstrate his commitment to justice. He ordered the immediate confiscation of all hidden gold and resources revealed by Ho Kaku and his cronies. These ill-gotten gains, along with the funds embezzled from the city treasury, were meticulously cataloged and brought under Alex's control, intended for the restoration and prosperity of Tonryuu.

A public pronouncement followed, detailing the specific crimes of Ho Kaku, General Ren, Jin, Bao, and Song: tax embezzlement, theft from the city lord's treasury, conspiracy against the Qin Kingdom, and collusion with bandits. In a decisive act to re-establish order and demonstrate the severe consequences of corruption, Alex ordered their public execution. The swift and transparent justice, following the exposure of their treachery, sent a clear message throughout the city: the old ways of corruption were over, and a new, just rule had begun.