Shinji’s Dark Ambition.

Katsura's words before they set off, echoed in the minds of the group:

"Tsukino, lead this team in gathering information about the Koshi village's new members. Report any potential threats for the upcoming battle, and if possible, eliminate them."

The group immediately ignored the dead body on the ground, and their senses went on high alert as they shared a similar thought:

'Those jaguars were a trap to test our strength.'

Their first mission had failed drastically, and due to their poor relations with the samurai, the punishment they were going to receive would be severe. Death might be a better outcome; at least then they wouldn't have to think about it.

Shinji was covered in sweat, racking his brain for a plan. However, the fear of punishment, like his seniors who failed their first mission, paralyzed his thoughts.

'I'm only 20! I can't be a virgin for life, and although I do not think about it much, I really do need to have a wife in the future. We could lie, but the seniors told me they lied, and half of them got killed!'

He glanced at Tsukino, who was also looking at him expectantly, her gray eyes seemed to be asking if he had a plan, which made his expression darkened.

In the next second, their eyes then shifted to Lucien, who seemed indifferent to the situation. His actions were nothing short of diabolic, and he had just killed an innocent person without betting eye. Yet, they knew his suggestion might be their only chance to survive.

Lucy sighed, noticing their gazes, before locking eyes with the girl next to him.

"Give your light weapons to Sora."

Before the young girl could ask questions, Shinji was the first to move with his arrows, but Lucy rejected him.

"Scholar, you're keeping your weapon. Your skills are helpful to the plan I have."

Shinji maintained his smile, chuckling at Lucy, but cursed him in his mind.

'Skills?! Are you joking with me?! What you are calling skill was actually me missing the target instead! Every time I use my bowl, I always end up piercing the wrong thing. My aiming sucks, but I can't say that out loud or the reputation I have would crumble. I worked so hard to build it.'

Shinji wished the group would oppose Lucy, but Tsukino walked over to Sora, handing her twin swords with a serious expression.

"Please take good care of them. The pride of an onna-musha is in her swords. I hope you return them in one piece."

Sora took the swords fainting an oblivious expression, and in the next second other members handed her their weapons.

Her gaze turn to the man besides in amazement. 'I don't remember telling Lucy-San about my past, but he's already figured it out.'

Sora sighed helplessly and turned to Shinji, who was unaware of what was about to happen. "Prepare your bowl, we're going to attack the people from Koshi Village surrounding us."

Shinji's expression transformed wildly. "That's crazy! How can we kill people we can't even see? Your idea is insane!"

"You're right."

Sora shrugged him off, picked one of Tsukino's twin swords, and swiftly threw it in the direction Lucy was looking.

The sound of the blade piercing flesh echoed through the forest, and before Tsukino could ask why her sword was used, Sora picked the other sword and threw it toward the bush Lucy was looking at.

Blood streamed out, and everyone's eyes widened in shock.

On the first attack, they only heard the sound, but now they were certain they were surrounded, which made Tsukino cheer:

"Sora! Sora!"

The others soon joined in, and made Sora felt a surge of adrenaline pumping into her body, as she threw the weapons in the directions Lucy was looking at.

Seeing this, Shinji couldn't help but grit his teeth in envy.

'This is bad! I will completely lose my place if this continues! My plan to let the others fight while I rest would all crumble! I will be the one to be used by someone else instead. That's the reason why I have been trying to kill Lucy and Tsukino, since they were potential threats! But, now, her too?"

The image of him kneeling in front of Sora, serving her tea, flashed in his mind, and tears of shame streamed down his face.

"I will never submit myself to someone on the same level as me!"

He let out a fierce roar, grabbed his bow and arrows, and started firing random attacks at the surrounding area.

His actions carried more grace than Sora's, and each arrow was a sure kill. Even Sora halted her movement, looking at him in awe.

The others stopped cheering, admiring Shinji's skills with the bow in silence.

However, Shinji's moment of glory was short-lived. A muscular man jumped from a nearby tree, with an arrow lodged in his shoulder.

"Bastard! Just because I didn't order my men to retreat doesn't mean I couldn't have! You should have returned to your camp instead of killing our Koshi village's people. How dare you treat our sonority with disdain?!"

Shinji froze, his scowl faltering as he looked at the muscular man. A snort of fear escaped his nose.

'Now I've done it! Why did my arrow have to hit him?! I was just shooting to vent my frustration!'

---

For those wondering how Lucy is able to see people hidden behind the bushes, read the synopsis, the hint is there.