Finding Hojo Ujimasa isn't exactly a walk in the park. You’re deep in the Sengoku period, the atmosphere is thick with political tension, and the game doesn't just hand him to you on a silver platter. Honestly, that’s the beauty of Assassin's Creed Shadows. It forces you to actually be an assassin—or a samurai, depending on who you're playing as—and use your brain instead of just following a glowing dot on a mini-map.
If you’re trying to Assassin's Creed Shadows find Ujimasa, you’ve likely realized he’s tucked away behind layers of security and misinformation. Ujimasa is a historical heavyweight, the head of the powerful Hojo clan, and in the world of Shadows, he’s not just sitting around waiting for Naoe or Yasuke to show up. He’s a man with everything to lose.
The Hunt for the Hojo Lead
Tracking him down starts with understanding the region of Sagami. This isn't like the flat plains you might find elsewhere; it's rugged, fortified, and crawling with Hojo loyalists. Most players get stuck because they expect a linear path. There isn't one. You have to gather intel. Talk to the locals in the nearby villages. They won't always tell you the truth—some are terrified of Hojo retribution, while others are secret sympathizers.
I've found that the best way to start is by looking for his inner circle. You aren't going to find Ujimasa by kicking down the front door of Odawara Castle. Well, you could, but you'd probably die in about thirty seconds. Instead, look for the couriers. They move between the smaller outposts and the main keep. If you can intercept one of them without raising an alarm, you’ll get a much clearer picture of his current location.
Sometimes he’s in the main hall. Other times, he’s surveying the defenses. It changes.
Why Finding Ujimasa Is Such a Headache
The developers at Ubisoft Quebec really leaned into the "dual protagonist" system for this mission. If you’re playing as Naoe, your approach to Assassin's Creed Shadows find Ujimasa is all about the rafters and the shadows. The light/dark system is your best friend here. If you douse the lanterns, the guards get jumpy, but they can't see you.
Yasuke? That’s a different story. If you’re playing as the legendary African samurai, you aren't sneaking. You’re walking through the front gate, and people are going to notice. The challenge here is the sheer weight of the opposition. Ujimasa’s guards are elite. They use polearms that outrange your katana, and their armor is thick. You have to time your parries perfectly or you're toast.
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- The Weather Factor: Don't ignore the rain. If it’s raining, your footsteps are quieter. If there’s fog, your line of sight is shorter, but so is theirs. Use the environment.
- The Crowds: Odawara is a living city. Blend in. Don't run. Running makes you look suspicious. Walk like you belong there.
- The Rooftops: Naoe’s grappling hook is a literal lifesaver. Use it to get a bird's-eye view of the courtyard. You can often spot Ujimasa's distinct headgear from above before the guards even know you're in the province.
Breaking Down the Odawara Castle Layout
Odawara Castle is a beast. Historically, it was known as the "invincible castle," and the game reflects that. It’s a multi-layered fortress. You have the outer walls, the secondary enclosures (the ninomaru), and finally, the main keep (honmaru).
To Assassin's Creed Shadows find Ujimasa, you need to navigate these layers. He’s almost always in the honmaru, but the path there is blocked by locked gates and heavily guarded bridges. Look for the "hidden" paths. There’s a drainage system that Naoe can squeeze through, and there are certain sections of the wall that are crumbling enough for a skilled climber to exploit.
If you're Yasuke, you might need to find a way to provoke a distraction. Setting fire to a nearby supply depot usually does the trick. When the guards rush to put out the flames, the path to Ujimasa opens up—just a crack, but enough.
The Historical Context of Hojo Ujimasa
It helps to know who you're hunting. Hojo Ujimasa was the fourth head of the Later Hojo clan. In the late 1500s, he was one of the last major obstacles to Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s unification of Japan. He was known for being somewhat stubborn—a trait that eventually led to the downfall of his clan during the real-life Siege of Odawara in 1590.
In Assassin's Creed Shadows, this stubbornness is portrayed as a tactical challenge. He’s a man who believes his walls are impenetrable. This overconfidence is his weakness. He doesn't expect an assassin to come from the ceiling or a samurai to march through the front door with the backing of Oda Nobunaga’s legacy.
Dealing with the Guards
The Hojo guards aren't your typical fodder. They use a variety of weapons, including the yari (spear) and early matchlock firearms. If you get spotted, the alarm bells will ring, and suddenly you’re fighting twenty men instead of two.
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My advice? Take out the bell-ringers first. Every courtyard has one. If you can disable the alarm, the mission becomes ten times easier. Use Naoe’s kunai for a silent ranged takedown, or if you’re Yasuke, use a heavy blunt weapon to crush their guard quickly before they can react.
Tactical Steps to Locating Ujimasa
Start by scouting the perimeter of Odawara. Don't just rush in. Use your eagle vision (or the 16th-century equivalent) to highlight enemies through walls. You’re looking for a gold-highlighted target, but he won't show up until you're within a certain range.
- Infiltrate the Outer Ward: Use the tall grass or the rooftops. Avoid the main road.
- Locate the Guard Captain: He usually carries the key to the inner gates. You can pickpocket him or kill him. Pickpocketing is safer.
- Find the Secret Entrance: Look for a small shrine on the north side of the castle grounds. Behind it is a tunnel that leads directly into the kitchens of the inner keep.
- Identify Ujimasa: He’s usually surrounded by four elite bodyguards. He’ll be wearing ornate, dark armor with the Hojo scale crest (the three triangles) prominently displayed.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
A lot of people try to treat this like a brawler. It’s not. If you try to fight everyone, you will run out of healing items before you even see Ujimasa. Another mistake is ignoring the verticality. The game is designed for you to go up. If you're on the ground, you're at a disadvantage.
Also, watch out for the dogs. Hojo guards use scent hounds that can sniff Naoe out even if she's hidden in the shadows. Throw some smoke bombs or use raw meat to distract them. It sounds simple, but it saves you a lot of grief.
Navigating the Final Confrontation
Once you Assassin's Creed Shadows find Ujimasa, the mission isn't over. You have to decide how to deal with him. Without spoiling the narrative choices, your approach—stealth vs. combat—will influence how the local populace views the Shinobi or the Samurai.
If you’re Naoe, a quick air assassination is the cleanest way. If you’re Yasuke, a formal duel is more fitting, though significantly harder. Ujimasa is a skilled combatant in his own right; he’s not just a politician. He’s fast, and his reach is deceptive.
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Actionable Insights for the Mission
To succeed in finding and neutralizing Ujimasa, you should prioritize upgrading your stealth tree if playing Naoe, specifically the "Chain Assassination" skill. For Yasuke, focus on armor penetration and posture damage.
Before you head into Sagami, make sure your gear is at least level 15. The difficulty spike in the Hojo territory is real. Stock up on diversion tools—bells, smoke, and firecrackers. They are more valuable than extra health potions in a fortress this size.
The key to the entire mission is patience. Wait for the guard rotations. Watch the patterns. Ujimasa feels safe behind his walls, and that is exactly when he is most vulnerable. Move when the moon is behind the clouds, and strike when the guards are distracted by the changing of the watch.
Go to the blacksmith in the local hub before you set out. Ensure your blades are sharpened for maximum critical damage. A failed assassination attempt on Ujimasa usually results in a very quick "Desynchronized" screen. One clean hit is all you need if you've done the legwork to find him correctly.
Check the western wall near the water gate. It's often the least guarded entrance into the inner sanctum. Most players try the eastern gate because it looks more accessible, but it's a trap. Go west, stay high, and keep your eyes on the scale crest.