Ubisoft’s foray into Sengoku-era Japan has sparked a lot of conversation, most of it centered on the dual protagonists, Naoe and Yasuke. But once you actually get your hands on the game and start peeling back the layers of the Shinobi and Samurai mechanics, you realize the world is built on the backs of its historical NPCs. One of the most critical encounters in the mid-game involves a man named Imai Sokyu. If you’re looking to progress the main narrative or simply understand how the economy of Assassin’s Creed Shadows functions, you’re going to spend a lot of time thinking about this specific interaction.
Let’s be real. In most open-world games, talking to a merchant is a chore. You click through menus, sell your junk, and move on. Assassin’s Creed Shadows tries to do something a bit different. When you finally talk to Imai Sokyu, it isn't just a transaction. It’s a bridge between the gritty reality of the Iga rebellion and the opulent, high-stakes world of the Sakai merchants.
Who Exactly Is Imai Sokyu in the Game?
Imai Sokyu isn't some random character the writers cooked up to fill a stall. He was a real person—one of the most influential tea masters and merchants of the Sengoku period. In the game, he represents the "Sakai Connection." Sakai was basically the Venice of Japan at the time; it was a self-governing city-state that thrived on trade, gunpowder, and very expensive tea sets.
When you first encounter him, the vibe is immediately different from the rural villages you've been prowling through. He’s wealthy. He’s connected. Most importantly, he’s a pragmatist. While Naoe is motivated by revenge and Yasuke by honor and his service to Nobunaga, Sokyu is motivated by the flow of silver and the stability of trade routes.
You’ll find him located in the Sakai district, usually surrounded by high-end goods. The game uses him as a primary quest giver for the "Trade Relations" arc. This isn't just fluff. He’s your gatekeeper to advanced weapon upgrades and specific intel on the Portuguese influence in Japan. Honestly, if you ignore him, you're making the game significantly harder for yourself.
Navigating the Conversation: The Dialogue Choices
One thing players often get wrong is thinking that the dialogue choices with Sokyu don't matter. They do, but not in a "Mass Effect" world-ending kind of way. It’s more about the rewards and the ease of the following missions.
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When you talk to Imai Sokyu during the "Merchant's Gambit" mission, he’s going to test your knowledge of the local power structure. If you’re playing as Yasuke, the tone is more formal. Sokyu respects power. If you’re Naoe, he’s more guarded, knowing that a Shinobi in his shop usually means someone is about to die.
- The Gunpowder Question: He will ask about your intentions regarding the Jesuit influence. Aligning with his mercantile interests—basically saying you want to keep trade open but remove the corruption—tends to lower the prices of his unique inventory later.
- The Tea Ceremony: There is a scripted sequence where he discusses the aesthetic of wabi-sabi. It seems like flavor text, but paying attention here reveals a clue about a hidden compartment in a later fortress.
Basically, don't just mash the skip button. The game rewards you for actually roleplaying as someone who understands the weight of these social interactions.
Why This Interaction Changes Your Gear Game
We have to talk about the gear. Imai Sokyu is the only vendor who consistently stocks high-tier components for Naoe’s hidden blade and Yasuke’s firearms. In Assassin's Creed Shadows, crafting isn't just about picking up iron ore from the side of a mountain. You need specialized parts that only a global trader like Sokyu can source.
Specifically, the "Sakai Matchlock" upgrades are locked behind his questline. After you finish your first major conversation with him, he opens up a specialized shop menu. You’ll notice the prices are astronomical. Don't panic. The game wants you to use the "Mercantile Favor" system. By completing sub-tasks for him—usually involving intercepting rival merchant shipments or protecting a caravan—you drop those prices by up to 30%.
It’s a bit of a grind, but considering the jump in damage output for Yasuke's rifle, it’s arguably the most important side-content in the game.
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The Historical Accuracy vs. Game Fiction
Ubisoft took some liberties, obviously. While the real Imai Sokyu was indeed a close associate of Oda Nobunaga and later Toyotomi Hideyoshi, he wasn't necessarily hanging out waiting for assassins to drop by his shop. However, his role as a "weapon dealer" is grounded in fact. The Sakai merchants were the ones who popularized and distributed firearms in Japan after the Portuguese introduced them.
In the game, his shop is a visual marvel. You’ll see imported clocks, European glassware, and exquisite ceramics. This reflects the historical reality of the Nanban trade. When you talk to Imai Sokyu, the writers use him to voice the perspective of the rising middle class—the people who were getting tired of the endless wars between Daimyos because it was bad for business.
Strategies for the 'Sokyu’s Secret' Mission
Eventually, Sokyu will trust you enough to give you a specific mission involving a stolen shipment of black powder. This is where the dual-protagonist system shines.
- The Yasuke Approach: You can go in the front door. Sokyu provides you with a "Merchant Pass" that lets you walk into the restricted warehouse area in the docks without being instantly attacked. You’ll still have to fight eventually, but you can get into a much better position first.
- The Naoe Approach: Sokyu mentions a "leak" in the sea wall. This is a literal hint. If you use Naoe, you can find a submerged tunnel that leads directly under the warehouse.
The mission culminates in a choice: give the powder back to Sokyu or distribute it to the local resistance. Choosing Sokyu is the "pro-system" move. It keeps the city of Sakai friendly and unlocks his rarest inventory. Giving it to the resistance increases your "Brotherhood Influence" in the region but makes Sokyu’s prices skyrocket.
Common Misconceptions About the Encounter
A lot of people think you can kill Sokyu if you don't like his terms. You can't. He’s a "protected" NPC because of his role in the endgame. I've seen threads where people are frustrated that they can't just rob his shop. The game logic is that his security—the Sakai guard—is too tight, but from a narrative standpoint, he’s just too important to the political ecosystem of the game.
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Another misconception is that the interaction is a one-time thing. You should go back and talk to Imai Sokyu after every major story beat. He often has new dialogue that reflects the changing political landscape. Sometimes he’ll even give you "Trade Rumors," which mark high-value loot locations on your map that don't appear through standard synchronization.
Maximizing Your Rewards
To get the most out of your relationship with the tea master, you need to engage with the "Collectibles" system. Sokyu is a collector of rare tea utensils. If you find these scattered throughout the world in various temples and forts, don't just sell them to a general merchant. Bring them to him.
Each utensil you bring back not only gives you a massive gold (Ryo) boost but also increases your "Sakai Reputation." At max reputation, Sokyu gifts you the "Master Merchant’s Tanto," a unique weapon for Naoe that has a high critical hit rate and a gold-flaked aesthetic that looks incredible in the game's photo mode.
Actionable Steps for Your Playthrough
If you’re currently at the point where you need to find him, or you've just unlocked Sakai, follow this path to ensure you don't miss out:
- Don't Rush the Dialogue: Listen to his explanation of the three major merchant families. It actually helps you identify targets in a later investigation mission.
- Prioritize "The Tea Route" Side Quest: Do this immediately after your first meeting. It unlocks the ability to buy high-grade steel.
- Check the Back Room: After you complete his second main quest, you can access the back of his shop. There’s a chest there that contains a historical codex entry you can't get anywhere else.
- Swap Characters: Talk to him once as Yasuke and once as Naoe. The "intel" he gives varies slightly between the two, often revealing different entry points for the same objective.
The interaction with Imai Sokyu is a microcosm of what Assassin’s Creed Shadows does best: blending the high-octane action of the Sengoku period with the complex, often messy world of 16th-century politics and trade. He isn't just a shopkeeper; he's the guy who makes sure you have the tools to actually win the war.
Keep your silver close and your tea hot. You're going to need both.
Next Steps:
- Locate the Imai Estate in Sakai: It’s in the northern district, marked by a large blue banner.
- Equip the "Merchant's Garb" (if found): It triggers unique dialogue options that can skip certain fetch-quest requirements.
- Check your inventory for "Kutani Ware": If you found this item in the previous chapter, hold onto it specifically for the first Imai Sokyu trade menu to get an instant reputation boost.