Nobutsuna’s students present a variety of interesting duels to Yasuke in Assassin’s Creed Shadows. Most of them restrict you to a specific weapon type, meaning that you can reset your skills and slot them into a category beforehand to gain the upper hand. Here’s how you can start this quest and where you’ll find all seven of Nobutsuna’s students in Assassin’s Creed Shadows.

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Starting the hunt for Nobutsuna’s Students¶

Once you complete “Mibuno Showdown” in Act 1 and gain access to Yasuke’s powerful abilities, you can start his personal quests. “An Education” is one of the two quests you can pick from the Objectives Board. Once you read the letter in Nobutsuna Sensei’s house to the south of Azuchi Castle in Omi, you will trigger a quest named “Nobutsuna Sensei.” Finishing this linear quest and speaking to him once more will let you begin looking for his students.

To track these warriors, use the Objectives Board to spot the Nobutsuna’s Students section. It will mention six people at first. Beating them in duels will grant access to the seventh and final duel to complete this quest. Doing so will let you earn 5000 XP, a custom decoration for your hideout, and an engraving for Yasuke’s gear.

Yuki no Kata¶

The first student Yuki no Kata can be found at the Ishinohoden Shrine. This location is at the northwest side of Kakogawa Estuary in the Harima province. Interact with the downed soldier here to revive him. He will tell you of a fearsome warrior who defeated him. Walk to the shrine and you will meet her. Remember that you have to stick to a Naginata in this fight. While her combos can deal some serious damage, focus on dodging them and retaliating with heavy attacks and abilities to beat her. Doing so will give you a Legendary Naginata and some romantic dialogue between the injured soldier and Yuki no Kata.

Yagyu Munetoshi¶

You have to be at least level 29 to take on Yagyu’s katana duel effectively. He can be found meditating near the fast travel point on Mount Miwa in Nara Heartland, Yamato. Challenge him to a duel and he will lash out with his katana. Yagyu sticks to heavy attacks so focus on dodging them instead of deflecting his hits.

Nagano Saemon¶

As you head to the northwest of Sotomo Gate, you’ll be greeted by a wounded soldier amidst corpses. Speak to them and you’ll discover that they were the work of Nagano Saemon, a skilled archer. This Level 32 opponent can be found on the other side of the cove. Interacting with a dead body on the rock triggers some dialogue before the duel. You can only use a bow in this fight. And don’t worry about ammo since arrows are scattered liberally in the arena. He can be a pesky annoyance with his arrows but keep dodging and charge up your attacks to whittle his health bar down.

Hozoin In’ei¶

You’ll find Hozoin In’ei at the Choanji Yakushido, a structure that can be found at the southeast end of the Asuka Rocks Basin. This Kanabo wielder’s blows are deadly but they can be dodged fairly easily by Yasuke. Remember to use adrenaline charges to launch special attacks and you won’t take long to vanquish this level 35 threat.

Asari Nobutane¶

Asari Nobutane can be found by defending a Teppo merchant from two soldiers on the southern side of Negoroji in the Kii province. You can use the above map to head to his location in a bamboo grove nearby instead. This level 37 opponent fights with a Teppo gun and uses smoke bombs to cover his tracks. Note that you are restricted to a Teppo in this fight so feel free to reset your skills and slot them into Teppo abilities and passives.

Marume Nagayoshi¶

Finding Marume Nagayoshi involves clearing the Duel Notices side quest. You can also use a scout on the map to find his final location in Azuchi, Omi. The quest consists of heading to a signboard that points you to a duel with Marume at the edge of the island. He wields a katana and isn’t particularly difficult to dispatch. Dodge or parry his attacks to stagger him and inflict solid damage.

Sanada Masatoyo¶

Once you beat the six members marked on your Objectives board, you will be alerted to the presence of Sanada Masatoyo. Serving as the final challenge among Nobutsuna’s students, he can be found at the Sanada Estate in the Suzuka Foothills area of Omi. There’s a fast travel point nearby which can shorten your trek to his battle. Like the other duels, focus on dodging Sanada’s attacks and you will be able to take down this final level 42 enemy. Doing so will let you finish the task of dueling Nobutsuna’s students in Assassin’s Creed Shadows.