Mission Overview: Fight of the Kakushiba Ikki in Assassin’s Creed Shadows
The Fight of the Kakushiba Ikki is a pivotal mission in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, marking the first time players experience the gameplay through the character Naoe. This mission serves as a comprehensive introduction to key game mechanics such as movement, combat, and stealth skills.
In the preceding mission, players guided Yasuke as Oda Nobunaga’s forces launched an attack on Iga, aiming to locate Momochi Sandayu within the shinobi castle. Yasuke engaged in fierce battles throughout Mibuno Castle, culminating in a dramatic conclusion.
As Fight of the Kakushiba Ikki unfolds, it revisits the same night but from the perspective of Naoe, a skilled shinobi. This guide is designed to help players effectively navigate and conquer this mission.
Walkthrough: Fight of the Kakushiba Ikki
The mission starts amidst Oda Nobunaga’s advancing forces toward Mibuno Castle. Players are greeted with a cinematic where Naoe and her father, Nagato, observe the impending attack from a mountain. Naoe suggests devising a strategy, and Nagato agrees on heading toward Aekuni Shrine.
As the mission begins, Naoe and Nagato embark on horseback, launching into action.
Following Nagato
During your ride, Nagato provides cryptic insights about an enigmatic figure arriving in Iga, hinting at significant developments ahead. Unfortunately, your journey is abruptly interrupted when an enemy soldier attacks, shooting your horse and causing you to tumble to the ground.
Combat Tutorial: Eliminate the Soldier
You’ll face the soldier who shot your horse, triggering a combat tutorial to introduce essential mechanics:
- Red-glowing attacks are deemed unstoppable—dodge them to avoid damage.
- A perfectly timed dodge renders the enemy vulnerable, signaled by a yellow glow. This is your cue to counterattack.
- White-glowing attacks can be successfully parried.
- If your health diminishes, regain it by using rations.
Defeating the soldier allows players to progress to the next objective in the Fight of the Kakushiba Ikki mission.
Assisting Sandayu
Proceed east through the Torii gate toward your destination. Expect multiple enemy encounters in this section, which teaches the Focus system, enhancing your ability to target and switch between foes effectively.
Upon dispatching the enemy soldiers, a cutscene unfolds in which Nagato converses with Momochi Sandayu. He then entrusts Naoe with the legendary Hidden Blade, a hallmark of the Assassin’s Creed franchise, and instructs her to navigate to the kofun (tomb) to unlock the secure door and protect a crucial box within.
Retrieving the Box
This segment of the mission introduces critical stealth mechanics:
- Silent assassination – Stay hidden in tall grass to sneak up and eliminate a patrolling soldier.
- Distract and assassinate – Use a whistle to divert an enemy closer, then strike when he’s within reach.
- Aerial assassination – Utilize the environment to gain height and perform a deadly attack from above on an unsuspecting foe.
Move south to the marked location, perform parkour moves down a small tree, and execute a Leap of Faith into a nearby haystack.
Upon entering Mihata Kofun, use the Hidden Blade to gain access through the door. Inside, you’ll discover a red box, previously mentioned by Nagato.
As Naoe retrieves the box, she is unexpectedly ambushed by a masked enemy soldier, who knocks her unconscious and makes off with the critical item. The narrative progresses with Nagato rushing in to carry Naoe to safety at Tomiko’s place, signaling the conclusion of the Fight of the Kakushiba Ikki mission in Assassin’s Creed Shadows.