Honestly, if you’re rushing through the Iga region in Assassin’s Creed Shadows just to tick off map icons, you’re probably going to walk right past one of the most interesting characters Ubisoft has written in years. I’m talking about Ibuki. They aren't just some random NPC with a generic fetch quest.
Ibuki is a wandering ronin. A bit of a loner.
They also happen to be a massive headache for completionists because Ibuki is incredibly easy to miss. If you say the wrong thing or skip the right village, they're gone. No second chances. No "retry mission" from the menu. Just a ghost in the wind.
Finding the Rogue Ronin
You won't find Ibuki just by following the main story. They are tucked away in the southern part of the Hijiyama area, specifically around Kashiwara Village. Most players stumble onto them during the quest "Ambush Interrupted," but here is the kicker: you must be playing as Yasuke to even trigger the recruitment and romance path properly.
Naoe? She’s great for the stealth stuff, but for this specific connection, it has to be the samurai.
Ibuki has a bone to pick with Yasuke. See, they remember what Yasuke did back when he was serving Oda Nobunaga. In Ibuki's eyes, Yasuke isn't a hero; he's a remnant of a bloody regime that tore through Japan. To get them on your side, you basically have to prove you aren't that same guy anymore.
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The "Fail State" is Real
Most modern games hold your hand. They give you a little "X will remember that" warning or let you save-scum your way out of a bad dialogue choice. Assassin’s Creed Shadows doesn't do that here. If you mess up the conversation, Ibuki will flat-out refuse to join your League.
There are four specific choices that determine your fate with this character:
- The First Meeting: When Ibuki questions your past, you have to choose "I have changed." If you go with the "I was just following orders" excuse, you're already halfway to failing.
- The Traitorous Farmer: There’s a heated moment with some villagers. Ibuki watches how you handle it. Choosing "I would forgive him" is the way into their good graces.
- The Rescue: During the "Homecoming" objective at Hijiyama Fort, you’re tasked with saving Ibuki’s old friend, Kyobei. If Kyobei dies during the chaos—which can happen easily if you aren't careful with your swings—Ibuki won't be happy.
- The Final Offer: After the dust settles, you have to offer companionship. The prompt is usually something like "You don't have to be alone."
If you hit a combination of the "bad" replies—like saying you were just following orders and exiling the farmer—Ibuki basically tells you to get lost. Permanently.
Why Everyone is Talking About Ibuki
Beyond the mechanics of recruiting them, Ibuki has sparked a lot of conversation because they are the first explicitly non-binary character in the Assassin's Creed universe.
In the English dub, they are referred to with they/them pronouns. It’s handled with a surprising amount of nuance for a historical action game. There’s a scene involving flower arrangements—specifically picking seeds for them back at your hideout—where Ibuki talks about things that don't fit into "rigid guidelines." It’s a metaphor for their own identity, and it’s actually pretty touching.
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What's really wild is that if you switch the game to Japanese audio, the voice actor actually changes from a feminine tone to a masculine one depending on the context. It’s a subtle touch that shows Ubisoft put some actual thought into how this character fits into the world.
Is the Romance Worth It?
If you manage to recruit them, Ibuki moves into your hideout. As Yasuke, you can pursue a full romance arc. It involves a quest called "Putting Down Roots" where you have to go scavenge flower seeds from a bandit camp near Kashiwara.
Once you deliver them, you get the heart icon prompt.
Choosing "I want more than friendship" triggers a cinematic that’s a lot more intimate than the usual "fade to black" stuff we saw in Valhalla. Does it change the ending of the game? Not really. Does it make the hideout feel more alive? Definitely.
Bringing Ibuki into Battle
Ibuki isn't just there for the vibes. They are a legitimate ally you can call upon. In the "League" menu, you can see their combat stats. They are a "Veteran" tier fighter once you finish their questline.
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- Ability: Petals in the Wind. Ibuki jumps into the fight and deals heavy impact damage.
- Ability: Strike of the Ronin. This is the big one. They can actually shatter the armor of nearby enemies, which is a godsend when Yasuke is facing those beefy heavy-armor samurai.
Basically, having Ibuki on your team turns Yasuke into an even bigger wrecking ball. They don't have the stealth utility of some other allies, but in a straight-up brawl, they are top-tier.
Actionable Tips for your Playthrough
If you’re currently standing in the middle of Iga wondering where Ibuki is, here is exactly what you need to do:
- Switch to Yasuke immediately. Don't even try to start "Ambush Interrupted" as Naoe if you want the full story.
- Head to the cliffside south of Hijiyama. Look for the ronin standing alone near the village outskirts.
- Prioritize mercy. In every dialogue choice, pick the option that emphasizes growth, forgiveness, and companionship.
- Watch your friendly fire. When you’re inside the fort rescuing Kyobei, keep your heavy attacks away from the NPCs. If Kyobei dies, the romance is likely dead too.
- Check the hideout. Once the quest is done, you still have to go back to your base and talk to them one last time to officially "seal the deal" and add them to your combat roster.
Ibuki is a reminder that the best parts of Assassin's Creed Shadows are often the ones you have to actually work to find. They add a layer of humanity to Yasuke’s journey that the main revenge plot sometimes misses. Plus, having a ronin who can shred armor at your side makes those late-game castle sieges a whole lot easier.
Next Step: Head to the Iga region map and place a custom marker on Kashiwara Village to ensure you don't trigger a main story time-skip before meeting Ibuki.