You've probably heard the name Akechi Mitsuhide if you've ever spent five minutes reading about Japanese history. He’s the guy who basically redefined the word "betrayal" in the Sengoku period. In Assassin's Creed Shadows, he isn't just a footnote; he’s a pivotal, complex figure who drives the narrative into its most chaotic chapters.
Honestly, the game plays with his reputation in a way that’s kinda brilliant and a little frustrating if you’re a history buff. One minute he’s your uneasy ally, and the next, he’s the reason everything is on fire. Literally.
The First Encounter: Friend of My Enemy
To actually meet Mitsuhide in Assassin's Creed Shadows, you’ll need to progress through the main story until you reach the quest titled "Friend of My Enemy." This happens after Naoe has already taken out a few high-profile targets and is looking for the real power behind the mask.
The meeting goes down at Katano Castle in the Settsu region.
You can't just stumble into him while wandering the woods. You have to speak with Tomiko at the Hideout first. She’ll mention that a high-ranking daimyo—Mitsuhide himself—has requested a secret meeting.
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What Happens at Katano Castle?
When you arrive, the vibe is weirdly calm. Usually, Katano Castle is a hostile zone, but because you’re a "guest" for this mission, the guards won't touch you. It feels like a trap. It sort of is, but not in the way you’d expect.
Mitsuhide is waiting in an L-shaped building in the north gardens. He doesn't waste time. He tells Naoe that Oda Nobunaga is actually "The Horseman"—the leader of the Shinbakufu. He wants you to help him kill his own lord.
The Honno-ji Twist
This is where the game gets messy with the history. Mitsuhide uses Naoe. He points her toward the Honno-ji Temple, making her believe she’s finally getting her revenge for her village and her father.
But history tells us a different story, and the game eventually catches up. Mitsuhide isn't some noble revolutionary. He’s a strategist who sees a vacuum of power and decides to fill it. After the incident at Honno-ji, the "Shinbakufu" name stays, but the leadership shifts.
The game’s portrayal of Mitsuhide as "The Two-Faced" is pretty spot on. He’s a cultured man, into tea ceremonies and poetry, but he’s also the guy who orchestrated the most famous assassination in Japanese history.
Tracking Him Down: The Final Showdown
After the dust settles from Nobunaga's death, Mitsuhide becomes the primary target. The quest you’re looking for is "Topple the Traitor." This isn't a simple stealth mission. It’s a multi-stage war. You’ll find him in the Yamashiro region, specifically near Shoryujii Castle.
The Boss Fight Breakdown
The fight against Mitsuhide is one of the more technical encounters in Shadows. It’s split between Yasuke and Naoe, and you don't really get a choice in the transition.
- Phase 1 (Yasuke): You’re dealing with a man who knows he’s cornered. Mitsuhide uses "pocket sand"—he kicks dirt to stun you. It’s annoying. If he catches you with the stun, he follows up with an unblockable attack that hits like a truck.
- The Chase: After you beat him down a bit, he bolts. You switch to Naoe for a horseback chase toward Oyamazaki Village.
- Phase 2 (Naoe): Now he’s faster. He uses a four-hit flurry that you have to parry or dodge perfectly.
What’s interesting is the ending. Mitsuhide, defeated, asks for an honorable death.
If you’re playing as Yasuke, he tends to lean toward granting that mercy. Naoe? She’s usually of the "you don't deserve it" mindset. Your choice here actually has a small ripple effect later on when you meet his daughter, Hosokawa Tama (historically known as Gracia), in a side quest.
History vs. The Game
In real life, Mitsuhide’s "reign" lasted about 13 days. They call him the "Thirteen-Day Shogun."
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The game stretches this time a bit. You’ll see seasons change while you’re hunting him, which is a bit of "ludo-narrative dissonance" as the nerds call it. Historically, he was defeated by Hashiba Hideyoshi at the Battle of Yamazaki. In Shadows, the game merges that historical defeat with the protagonists' personal vendetta.
It’s a smart way to make the player feel like they were the "secret" reason history happened the way it did.
Key Takeaways for Players:
- Location: Look for him in Settsu (Katano Castle) for the first meeting and Yamashiro (Shoryujii Castle) for the kill.
- Combat Tip: Bring armor that allows parrying unblockable attacks. His "red" attacks are his bread and butter.
- The Loot: Killing him is part of the path to getting one of the Imperial Regalia items.
If you’re stuck on the horseback chase, don't panic. The blue marker at the top of the screen is your guide. You don't actually have to stay right on his tail the whole time; the game won't desync you unless you go completely off-map.
To get the most out of this storyline, make sure you finish the side quests in Omi first. They provide a lot of context for why the Oda clan was falling apart from the inside before Mitsuhide even made his move.
Once you've dealt with Mitsuhide, your next step should be heading back to the Hideout to speak with Hideyoshi. The power dynamic shifts immediately after the "Topple the Traitor" quest, and you'll want to start the "Belly of the Beast" mission to track down the remaining members of the Shinbakufu.