In Assassin’s Creed Shadows, “The Kabukimono” is a side quest requiring players to eliminate eight rogue ronin leaders across Izumi Settsu and Harima. These disruptive warriors threaten the region’s stability, and your mission is to hunt them down methodically. This guide provides their exact locations, strategies for assassination, and the best approach to completing the quest efficiently while maximizing rewards.
How to Start The Kabukimono Side Quest in Assassin’s Creed Shadows
“The Kabukimono” is likely one of the earliest side quests you’ll encounter in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, as it’s located in Izumi Settsu, the game’s starting province. To reveal it on your map, head northwest across the water from Settsu and make your way to Amagasaki.
From there, travel directly east until you spot the quest icon just below Nishinomiya Shrine. Speak with the NPC marked by the icon to initiate the quest, which will then add a separate objective circle displaying all the Kabukimono you need to find.
Completing The Kabukimono Side Quest in Assassin’s Creed Shadows
While you can begin The Kabukimono quest as soon as you receive it, it’s best to level up first. Many Kabukimono are accompanied by Ronin, who are formidable opponents due to their relentless attacks and parries, making direct combat challenging.
To handle these Ronin more effectively, prioritize upgrading your assassinate skill tree. Aim for enhancements that allow you to remove three HP bars from enemies, making encounters more manageable.
Once you’re prepared, head to the Osaka Kakurega to track down the Grave Dancer. If Osaka isn’t marked on your map yet, you can find it by crossing the waters southeast of Amagasaki.
How to Find and Assassinate Grave Dancer
The Grave Dancer is located in Sumiyoshi Shrine, positioned directly south of Osaka Castle and southeast of the Kakurega. Upon entering the shrine, move forward slightly and activate observe mode to spot the Grave Dancer standing next to a tree with a Ronin nearby.
How to Find and Assassinate Ember
The second Kabukimono you should track down is Ember, as he’s located close to the Grave Dancer. Start by teleporting to the Osaka Kakurega, as clues indicate that Ember can be found in the southwestern part of the village near some burnt buildings.
From the Kakurega, head directly west until you reach the burnt buildings, which are just before the water separating this section of the village. Here, you’ll find Ember along with his Ronin.
This encounter is relatively easy to handle—simply lure them near a cart loaded with explosive barrels. Then, use a Kunai to detonate the barrels, instantly taking out both Ember and his Ronin.
How to Find and Assassinate Ghost General
Ghost General is likely the third Kabukimono you’ll hunt, and he can be the hardest to locate without precise directions. The hint suggests he’s on a western shore, but it lacks details. Fortunately, you can find him in Sakai, a city in the southwestern part of Settsu.
Once you arrive in Sakai, head toward the city’s western edge while moving north. You’ll spot Ghost General standing on a wooden pier with his Ronin. This location is quite open, making a stealthy assassination challenging. If you have smoke bombs, use them strategically to gain the upper hand.
How to Find and Assassinate Big Sueki
Big Sueki can either be the easiest or the most challenging Kabukimono to assassinate, depending on your upgrades in the assassin skill tree. While he is surrounded by multiple Ronin in his hideout, he has only three HP bars—less than the other Kabukimono.
To take him down efficiently, ensure you’ve unlocked the ability to assassinate enemies with three HP bars. Once prepared, head to Amagasaki Castle in the northwestern part of Izumi Settsu. From there, move just north past the water until you reach Muko Post Town, where you’ll find Big Sueki and his group of Ronin.
Note: Since fighting multiple Ronin at once can be difficult, using stealth and the right upgrades will be key to completing this encounter successfully.
How to Find and Assassinate Chief Cuckoo
Chief Cuckoo is likely the easiest Kabukimono to locate, as the directions to his whereabouts are straightforward. You’ll find him in the Katano Oil Trading hostile area, located southwest of Katano. When you zoom out on the map, this area appears just below where Izumi Settsu is labeled.
He will be accompanied by a few Ronin, along with several smaller enemies scattered around the area. The best strategy is to eliminate the weaker enemies one by one first. Then, use smoke bombs to neutralize the Ronin before focusing on assassinating Chief Cuckoo.
What to Do After Assassinating the First Five Kabukimono?
After eliminating the first five Kabukimono, you’ll have to wait before hunting the final three, as they are significantly higher level than you’ll be in Settsu. These remaining targets can be found in the Harima province, northwest of Settsu. Before proceeding, you’ll have a choice that can affect the difficulty of the quest.
Once the five are defeated, the game will prompt you to leave a message at Nishinomiya Shrine, located east of Amagasaki Castle—the same place where you originally received the quest. Head to the shrine and post the message on the notice board outside. At this point, you must choose between two approaches:
1. Group Up the Kabukimono
This option makes the quest significantly easier, as all three remaining Kabukimono will gather in a single location. They won’t have any Ronin guarding them, and when the fight begins, you’ll receive assistance from allied soldiers.
2. Hunt Them Separately
Opting for this path increases the difficulty, as you’ll have to track down each Kabukimono individually across Harima. Not only will they be spread out, but each one will also be accompanied by Ronin, making these encounters much tougher.
Note: If you’ve recently chosen to hunt the Kabukimono separately in this quest, it’s recommended to reconsider and change your decision. Grouping them together will save you a significant amount of time. However, we’ll provide solutions for both choices, so you’re covered no matter which path you take!
How to Find and Assassinate the Final Three Kabukimono
If you choose to group the Corrupt Blade, Laughing Man, and Peacock Kabukimono, you’ll find them in the lumberyard near Takagi Otsuka Fort, located in the southwestern part of Harima, close to Settsu’s border.
To reach this location, follow the road leading out of Settsu at the southern edge. Stay on this path until you come across the second turn on your right. This path is situated just above a few small islands in Harima’s southern waters. Following it will lead you directly to Takagi Otsuka Fort.
Once you arrive, take the road to the right of the fort, and you’ll find the lumberyard on your right, where all three Kabukimono are waiting.
If you have Yasuke unlocked, you can switch to him and challenge the Kabukimono in direct combat. After successfully assassinating all three, return to the quest-giver to complete the mission.
Remember: All these Kabukimono have three to four HP bars, so it’s best to use stealth and take them down gradually.
How to Find and Assassinate the Corrupt Blade Individually
If you choose to hunt the Kabukimono separately, the first target you’ll encounter is the Corrupt Blade, located near Takagi Otsuka Fort.
Head to the northeastern side of the fort, where you’ll uncover a fast travel point at Habayama Camp—the location you’re looking for. Before reaching the Kabukimono, you’ll need to fight through a group of Ronin, so be prepared for a tough battle.
How to Find and Assassinate the Laughing Man Individually
The Laughing Man is likely the second Kabukimono you’ll encounter in Harima. To find him, head directly north from Takagi Otsuka Fort. Along this path, you’ll eventually come across the Kitano Village Kakurega. The target’s location, Blackstone Cascades, is just north of this area.
On the map, Blackstone Cascades is positioned west-northwest of Kamakura Valley, near the boundary between Harima and Tamba. Once you arrive, you’ll only need to defeat a single Ronin before taking down the Laughing Man.
How to Find and Assassinate Peacock Individually
The final Kabukimono, Peacock, is located near the boundary between Harima and Tamba, in the northwestern part of Harima. To reach him, follow the road that connects these two regions, which passes through Mount Kasagata. Once you cross into Tamba via this road, Peacock can be found on the left.
As with the previous targets, you’ll need to defeat one Ronin before taking down Peacock. Once all three remaining Kabukimono have been eliminated, return to the quest-giver to claim your final rewards.
Completing this quest grants you 2,000 XP, mastery points, and rare/legendary gear for eliminating the Kabukimono. Finishing the entire questline rewards you with an additional 5,000 XP.
