Summoner in One Piece

With the internal purge complete and the foundations of a new administration being laid, Alex's strategic focus shifted decisively to the external threat: the illicit iron mine and the bandits holding captive Tonryuu's villagers.

Under the command of Erza and Kaelen, a formidable force departed Tonryuu at dawn. It consisted of a significant portion of Alex's seasoned soldiers (the 272 good experienced men), bolstered by a contingent of the newly integrated former rogue soldiers. These ex-Ren men, having witnessed Alex's decisive actions and the truth of Ho Kaku's treachery, were eager to prove their renewed loyalty to Qin. The combined force moved with purpose, their ranks disciplined, their weapons gleaming in the morning light. The two-day march northeast was arduous, taking them through increasingly rugged terrain, but the morale remained high, fueled by the promise of justice and rescue.

As they neared the estimated location, Erza dispatched scouts, including a few of Tsunade's more adept former city guards, to reconnoiter the area. Their reports confirmed the intelligence: a fortified bandit stronghold nestled near the mine entrance, with clear signs of ongoing, crude mining operations and the presence of General Ren's former soldiers mixed among 'The Iron Hand's' bandits. The screams of forced laborers occasionally carried on the wind, hardening the resolve of Alex's troops.

The assault began at first light. Erza and Kaelen had formulated a two-pronged attack. Erza, leading the bulk of the seasoned Prefecture soldiers, would launch a direct, overwhelming assault on the main bandit encampment, aiming to break their lines swiftly and secure the mine entrance. Kaelen, with a smaller, highly mobile detachment, would circle around to the rear, focusing on disrupting any escape attempts and, crucially, liberating the captive villagers who were likely forced to work the mine.

'The Iron Hand' and his combined force of bandits and Ren's 100 rogue soldiers were caught largely by surprise. They had grown complacent, relying on the remote location and the perceived chaos within Tonryuu. Erza's charge was devastating. Her poleaxe became a whirlwind of steel, carving a path through the defenders. Her seasoned Prefecture soldiers, fighting with renewed purpose under her inspiring leadership, pushed forward relentlessly, their formations holding firm against the desperate, uncoordinated charges of the bandits.

Meanwhile, Kaelen's flanking maneuver was equally effective. His detachment, moving silently through the rocky terrain, struck the rear of the stronghold, creating immediate panic. He prioritized the makeshift enclosures where the villagers were held, cutting down any guards who resisted. The sight of their liberators, and the hope of freedom, spurred the villagers to action, many scrambling to safety as Kaelen's men created a clear escape route.

'The Iron Hand,' a hulking brute with a crude iron gauntlet, roared defiance, attempting to rally his disintegrating forces. He focused his rage on Erza, seeing her as the spearhead of the assault. Their clash was brutal. 'The Iron Hand' fought with savage desperation, but Erza's knightly training and superior skill shone through. With a powerful, precise strike, she disarmed him, then delivered a crushing blow that rendered him unconscious, ending his reign of terror.

The remaining bandits and rogue soldiers, seeing their leader fall and their lines shattered, quickly surrendered or fled into the wilderness, pursued by smaller detachments to ensure they posed no further threat.

The battle was decisive. The iron mine was secured, and more importantly, the captive villagers, gaunt but alive, were rescued. They were immediately tended to by medics Alex had sent with the expedition, and arrangements were made for their safe return to Tonryuu.

The mine itself was a raw, but promising, site. The interrogations had been accurate; it was indeed a rich vein of iron ore. Crude processing facilities were present, evidence of Ryo Fui's illicit operations. Erza and Kaelen immediately established a defensive perimeter and began assessing the mine's potential for legitimate operation under Tonryuu's authority. The flow of vital resources to Ryo Fui had been severed, and a new source of wealth for Alex's fief had been secured.

Upon receiving the news of the mine's capture and the villagers' rescue, Alex's immediate priority was two-fold: the humanitarian crisis and the economic opportunity. He dispatched a dedicated team of medics, provisions, and additional support staff to the mine site with all haste. Their mission was to provide comprehensive aid to the rescued villagers, ensuring their immediate recovery and safe return to their homes within Tonryuu or their respective villages. Concurrently, he sent a specialized team of engineers, administrators, and mining experts, led by a trusted official identified by Chief Scholar Yuan, to conduct a thorough assessment of the iron mine. Their task was to evaluate its full potential, plan for its legitimate, large-scale operation, and determine the necessary infrastructure and workforce to begin consistent ore extraction for the benefit of Tonryuu and Qin.