Assassin's Creed Shadows: A Complete Guide to The Mourner Questline with Yasuke

Diving into the world of Assassin's Creed Shadows in 2026, players are still uncovering the rich, interconnected stories woven into the fabric of Sengoku-era Japan. Among these, 'The Mourner' stands out as a particularly nuanced and emotionally resonant Shinbakufu questline, one that holds special significance for the legendary African samurai, Yasuke. This isn't just another assassination contract; it's a multi-layered journey involving political intrigue, personal connections, and impactful choices. Like most major targets in the game, reaching the final confrontation requires patience and the completion of several crucial side missions first. Whether you're a stealth master or a head-on warrior, this guide will walk you through every step of uncovering and unmasking the Mourner. 😎🗡️

How to Begin The Mourner's Quest Path

Getting started is a journey in itself. First, you must complete the Mibuno Showdown, which concludes Act 1 of Assassin's Creed Shadows. Once the credits for that chapter roll, the wider world opens up. Head to your Objectives Board, navigate to the Shinbakufu screen, and look for the quest titled 'A Talk with a Lady' under The Mourner section. This is your entry point.

Your destination is the Omi region, northeast of Yamashiro, dominated by the massive Lake Biwa. If you have a scout (and you really should by this point), dispatch them to the Goshiki Outlands to mark the exact location. Otherwise, the old-fashioned way works just fine: head to the bustling town of Nagahama at the lake's northern end and follow the northeastern path. You'll soon come across Odani, where the story truly begins.

Here's a fun twist: Yasuke doesn't meet Lady Oichi right away. Instead, he's greeted by Kuma, a formidable bodyguard wielding a naginata. After a brief chat, Kuma escorts you to the lady herself. A quick tip for role-players: while your dialogue choices with Oichi are plentiful and let you shape Yasuke's personality, they do not alter the core story progression. So, feel free to express yourself! Completing this initial meeting unlocks the three pivotal quests you must finish before facing the Mourner.

Mission 1: Nagahama Black Powder

Your first task sends you back to where you started: Nagahama. The Shinbakufu has intel on a local Teppo (musket) factory that needs to be shut down. The factory is on the western side of town, and this mission is a classic test of your infiltration skills.

• Stealth is Key: Use your Observe ability (or Eagle Vision for the traditionalists) to track patrol patterns. The guards here aren't pushovers.

• The Clue: You need to find a clue located on a wooden platform near the factory's southwestern wall. The easiest approach? Circle the factory's exterior, scale the wall away from prying eyes, and grab it without raising an alarm.

With the clue in hand, the real target comes into view: a massive gunpowder ship docked ominously near the shore. You can't miss it. Swim out or 'borrow' a small boat from the docks.

Your objective is to secure a Horokubiya bomb from a locked room on the top deck. This area is heavily patrolled. For the ultimate ghost run:

1. Climb through the room's window.

2. Silently eliminate the lone guard inside.

3. Exit and shimmy along the ship's exterior to the bow.

4. Plant the bomb among the distinctive red explosive pots.

5. Get to a safe distance and watch the fireworks! 💥

Prefer Yasuke's direct style? Go for it! Leap aboard and clear the ship deck-by-deck. While there's no special bonus for killing everyone, it does make looting the ship's treasure chests much easier before you complete the mission.

Mission 2: A Prayer for Omi

This quest offers a beautiful change of pace, focusing on atmosphere and character. As Yasuke, mount up and use the game's pathfinding to ride automatically to Lady Oichi's location at the Isakiji Temple pier. The serene lakeside scenery is a highlight here.

After a conversation, you'll escort Oichi by boat to the Shirahige Shrine. Here, Yasuke is asked to perform a series of purification rituals. Simply follow the blue quest markers and interact with each point:

1. Pray at the shrine's Torii gate.

2. Make a donation to a Shinto Maiden.

3. Cleanse yourself at the shrine's fountain.

4. Accept a sacred Gofu charm from a Shinto Priest.

Your reward for this spiritual detour is incredible: the legendary Amaterasu's Blessing amulet. This powerful item comes with a weapon engraving that increases your damage based on how many unused ability slots you have—a perfect bonus for minimalist builds. Return to Oichi for a cutscene. Romance enthusiasts, take note! You can choose the dialogue option marked with a heart: "I would spend my last night with you." This choice influences the narrative tone, though the mission proceeds regardless.

Mission 3: The Price of Rice

The tone shifts back to action and justice for the third leg. Head to the Shimmering Fields between Azuchi and the Mouth of Seta. Kuma is waiting in front of a hilltop house, explaining that a corrupt Daikan (regional governor) is extorting farmers and hoarding rice. It's up to you to handle it... quietly.

Follow your marker to some disgruntled farmers. They'll point you toward a drunken samurai terrorizing their fields. Fair warning: this guy is no joke. He's a mini-boss who can't be killed with a single assassination prompt (though it will hurt him badly). Defeating him in a straight fight rewards you with a rare katana—a worthy prize.

After the brawl, the farmers reveal the Daikan's location: a riverfront mansion north of Azuchi's merchant district. The front gate is a fortress. Your best bet? Look for a broken section on the right-hand wall—a perfect infiltration point for stealthy players.

The Daikan is a coward. If he sees you, he'll run. Clear his guards first unless you can get a perfect, silent drop on him. This is a mission where playing as Naoe shines, thanks to her superior stealth takedowns. Eliminate the target and report back to Kuma to wrap it up.

The Finale: The Wheel Unmasked & Assassinating the Mourner

With the three side missions complete, the endgame begins. Find your allies at a shrine east of Shiotsu in Omi. Climb the steps and, just before the top, look left. You'll see a kunai on a stone railing. Interact and choose "Wait" to begin the final investigation.

Naoe and Yasuke split up, but you can only pick one character's route to play. The choice doesn't affect the outcome, only the method:

• Naoe's Route: Investigate a Shinbakufu-affiliated inn. Use observation to find a key samurai, avoid guards using rooftops, and perform a silent assassination to learn the Mourner's location. Pure stealth.

• Yasuke's Route: Investigate a ship in the harbor. This involves finding intel on the Harbormaster and in his office. It's more combat-oriented, requiring you to fight through his guards before interrogating him.

The final assassination is a night mission, perfect for stealth. The area is designed for Naoe's skills: underwater tunnels and tall grass let her bypass most guards. If you go in as Yasuke, fight strategically. Take on isolated groups one at a time to avoid being swarmed.

Just before the Mourner's hideout, you might bump into The Hoarder, a corrupt Daikan from the 'An Education' side quest. He puts up no fight and is an easy kill. Clear the path, interact with the front building, and brace for the final cutscene.

Here's the narrative kicker: The Mourner survives this encounter. The questline concludes not with a death, but with a revelation and a legendary reward. Yasuke earns the Myth Slayer, a powerful sword once wielded by Oda Nobunaga himself. A fitting trophy for a saga steeped in history. Plus, each mission in The Mourner path grants a solid 1000 XP, helping you level up for the challenges ahead.

Quest Rewards Summary

Completing The Mourner questline is more than just ticking off objectives in Assassin's Creed Shadows. It's a deep dive into Yasuke's role in this fractured world, offering a blend of explosive action, quiet reflection, and meaningful character moments. It showcases the game's strength in 2026: creating assassin tales that feel personal, historical, and utterly engaging. Now, go forth and uncover the truth behind the mask! 🎭✨