Chosen personally by Nobunaga at the beginning of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Yasuke has embraced the teachings of his master, the esteemed swordmaster Nobutsuna. Through rigorous training, he has developed into an exceptional warrior adept in the ancient ways of the samurai.
To prove himself as the foremost pupil among Nobutsuna’s celebrated disciples, Yasuke must embark on a quest across Japan to locate these formidable warriors and challenge them to duels in their respective martial arts disciplines.
Whether it involves wielding the naginata, the intricacies of the kanabo, utilizing the innovative teppo, mastering the bow and arrow, or demonstrating proficiency with the iconic katana, Yasuke is required to showcase his expertise in all these combat styles to truly earn his title as the greatest warrior.
If you seek to attain this honor, continue reading to discover the locations of Nobutsuna’s students and the strategies to best them in battle.
Finding Nobutsuna
Nobutsuna can be found in his residence on the outskirts of Azuchi, situated just outside the castle walls near the Kakurega. He can be spotted tending to bonsai in his garden.
After engaging in a brief conversation with him, Nobutsuna instructs Yasuke to unroll a scroll he received from him months prior, initiating the journey to hunt down his legendary students scattered throughout Japan.
The levels of Nobutsuna’s students vary, with the highest being level 37, depending on your progress in Assassin’s Creed Shadows. It’s advisable to consider the timing of these confrontations; either tackle them promptly for substantial rewards or wait to ensure you gain items relevant to the later stages of the game, based on the amount of upgrade materials and gold in your possession.
Locations of Nobutsuna’s Students
We’ve compiled an interactive map below detailing the locations of each of Nobutsuna’s students, followed by strategies for defeating them:
Contents of this guide:
- Marume Nagayoshi
- Asari Nobutane
- Hozoin In’ei
- Nagano Saemon
- Yagyu Munetoshi
- Yuki’s Name
- The Sword Master
Marume Nagayoshi
Located in Omi, Marume can be tracked down through his duel notices. Head to the western section of Azuchi, near the harbor, where you’ll encounter locals discussing notices close to a bridge.
Crossing the bridge and moving right towards the trade harbor leads you to Marume on the beach. Engage him in conversation to initiate a duel; convey your master’s teachings by stating the importance of response over reaction, and he’ll gladly accept your challenge. This encounter is relatively straightforward, allowing you to win through sheer force by spamming your abilities.
Upon victory, you will receive the Heartseeker amulet, enhancing your stats by +15% when equipped with only a Kanabo engraving.
Asari Nobutane
The quest continues in the southern region of Kii, where you’ll seek the formidable Asari Nobutane. After defeating Marume, prepare for a significant challenge as he is regarded as the most difficult of Nobutsuna’s students.
Start your search by conversing with the Teppo Merchant located south of Negoroji. After helping him fend off aggressive duelists, you’ll learn of Nobutane’s location at a nearby bamboo grove.
Once you find Asari in the bamboo grove adjacent to the Kakurega, be ready to engage in a unique sniper duel, utilizing teppo against his formidable skills. Watch for his tactic of targeting explosive barrels rather than you, which adds complexity to the match. Use this to your advantage by shooting the barrels to inflict damage on him while evading his shots.
With slight agility and awareness of your surroundings, the duel can be turned in your favor. When victorious, you will receive the Dark Burst Teppo, a powerful weapon capable of firing multiple bullets in one shot along with its distinct engraving.
Hozoin In’ei
Your next pursuit leads you to Hozoin In’ei in Yamato, where you begin the quest titled Bandit Attack to determine his whereabouts. You’ll gather clues regarding civilians in peril, which will direct you to Hozoin’s location.
- They are in Yamato
- They are in the southeastern Asuka Rocks Basin
- They are being ambushed on a mountain
Once you defeat the bandits and rescue the civilians close to Ryumongadake Vista, Hozoin will be revealed at Choanji Yakushido. Prepare for a duel involving the Kanabo, which can be easily managed if you have unlocked relevant abilities on your skill tree.
Victory earns you the Phantom Fist Kanabo and the Faster charged posture engraving, invaluable tools for your continued journey.
Nagano Saemon
Next, head to the northern province of Wakasa. Begin by aiding an ashigaru soldier with the following clues:
- He is in Wakasa
- He is in northwestern Sotomo Gate
- He is at a beach near the northern bay
At the northernmost link of Wakasa, engage with a wounded soldier who will guide you to Saemon, a legendary archer. Finding him involves traveling to Sotomo Cove, where he will challenge you to a sniper duel.
This encounter proves less challenging than others, but you must be mindful of his teleportation and arrow barrages. Striking when he reveals his position is the key to victory, and after defeating him, you will gain the Bloody Rain Bow and Arrows on Dead Body engraving.
Yagyu Munetoshi
As you conclude your quests with Nobutsuna’s students, you now seek Yagyu Munetoshi. You’ll pursue him by following these clues:
- He is in Yamato
- He is north of Takatori
- He is praying atop Mount Miwa
Reaching Mount Miwa requires navigating from Takatori. Once at the summit, challenge Munetoshi in combat, where his powerful unblockable attacks will test your skills.
Winning this duel provides the Rat Tail Finisher Amulet, which enhances your adrenaline gain based on your Naginata points and recruits Munetoshi to your team as a scout.
Yuki’s Name
Your next target lies in Harima, where you’ll search for Yuki no Kata, guided by these clues:
- The warrior is in Harima
- They are in northwestern Kakogawa Estuary
- They are at Ishnohoden Shrine
Located southeast of Himeji, the shrine reveals an injured samurai you need to revive, who then points you towards Yuki. Enter the arena where this skilled naginata user awaits.
This duel challenges your endurance as Yuki employs her weapon’s range and power. Utilize your abilities but maintain caution to avoid being overwhelmed. Upon defeating her, you will acquire the Celestial Blade Naginata, which comes equipped with an exceptional auto-parry on block engraving.
The Sword Master
Finally, return to Nobutsuna’s residence in Azuchi to complete your journey. Accept his invitation for a celebratory cup of sake before facing one last adversary.
This ultimate challenge involves defeating Nobutsuna’s long-time rival, Sanada Masatoyo, who resides nearby with the following tips to locate him:
- He is in Omi
- He is in northwestern Suzuka Foothills
- His estate is near a swamp
To reach Sanada, travel north from Azuchi towards Nagahama and explore the stunning estate nestled by the swamp. Dismount, enter the estate, and prepare for an intense duel. Sanada’s potent unblockable strikes can be daunting, but with strategic abilities and dodging, victory is within reach.
Upon winning, Yasuke reflects on his master’s wisdom and claims the Crimson’s Edge katana, known for its lethal potential, as well as the unique bleed-attack engraving. This weapon serves not only as a powerful asset in battles to come but also symbolizes the legacy of Nobutsuna’s most accomplished student.
Carry forth this newfound strength into your next adventure and etch Yasuke’s name in the annals of history.
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