Let me tell you, nothing gets the blood pumping like being handed a hit list with seven shady names and zero clue where to find them. The Betrayers quest in Assassin's Creed Shadows is exactly that—a wild goose chase across Japan that'll test your patience, your hidden blade skills, and your willingness to flirt with a very serious samurai. But fear not, because I've already done the legwork, taken a few kunai to the face, and emerged with all the juicy intel so you can breeze through this side quest like a true shadow warrior. Grab your controller (or mouse, I don't judge), and let's dive into the chaos.
First things first: you need to actually start the quest. Head to the Omi region as Yasuke and look for Hori Hidemasa just north of the Mouth of Sea marker. Think of him as that guy who’s about to dump a bucket of drama on you the moment you say hello. Talk to him, and boom—you're officially a bounty hunter. Easy peasy.
Now, the real fun begins. There are seven targets scattered across the map, and each one comes with their own flavor of trouble. Here's how I handled them, including all the “oops, I aggroed the whole castle” moments and the occasional stroke of genius.
Fujichika Nakayama – The Castle Sitter
This fellow is chilling in the tenshu of Takatsuki Castle in Settsu, probably sipping sake while surrounded by his samurai pals. I tried to be sneaky, crept in through the back door, and went for a good old-fashioned assassination. The problem? I was level 51 and still couldn’t one-shot him—talk about embarrassing. So, my “master plan” turned into a rooftop game of hide-and-seek. I’d stab him, zip away until the guards forgot I existed, then jump down for round two. Rinse and repeat until he dropped an epic bow called Ill-Fated String. Not the most dignified victory, but hey, a win is a win! 🔁
Sato Katsubei – The Bush Hider
Located at Yamazaki Castle in Yamashiro, Sato Katsubei had enough bodyguards to make a pop star jealous. The silver lining? Loads of bushes and tall grass right outside, which meant I could whistle like a madman and thin the herd before the main event. I snuck up, landed one assassination, then immediately ducked into the greenery. After the aggro cooled down, I crept back to finish the job. The reward for my patience was Roaring Infamy, an epic Teppo, plus 320 Mon and a shiny quest item. Honestly, the gun alone made the whole ordeal worth it. 🥷
Endo Tomoyasu – The Plot Twist
After a long trek to Koyasan in the Kii region, I arrived ready to spill some blood only to find Endo Tomoyasu already pushing up daisies. Turns out Hori beat me to the punch—literally. So I had a nice chat with him as Naoe, pocketed 360 Mon, and then had to switch back to Yasuke and revisit Hori for the next round of intel. A bit anticlimactic, but it taught me that sometimes the bad guys off themselves before you even get started. 💀
Sato Genta – The Open-Air Nuisance
Sato Genta is posted northwest of Azuchi Castle at the military harbor in Omi, standing out in the open like he’s daring you to try something. Stealth is a real pickle here because he’s surrounded by samurai who love to watch. I tried charging in with Yasuke, and while Genta himself is only level 41 and about as tough as wet tissue paper, his buddies made the fight a royal pain. My pro tip: switch to Naoe, pop a smoke bomb right on top of him, and shank him in the chaos. Even if he survives the first hit, his health bar will be crying. He dropped Sorrowful Surrender, an epic katana, and 370 Mon. I named my victory dance the “Smoky Stab Shuffle.” 💨
Itakura Shigezo – The Annoying Jumping Bean
If you thought the last guy was annoying, meet Itakura Shigezo at Himeji Castle in Harima. This guy moves around so much I swear he’s part grasshopper. Fighting him as Naoe felt like trying to swat a fly with a chopstick. Yasuke, on the other hand, turned the tables with sheer tankiness and damage output. I went in loud and proud, ignoring the other samurai as best I could, and focused on Shigezo’s level 41 behind. Watch out for his kunai throws and leaping attacks—they caught me off guard more times than I’d like to admit. Victory earned me epic Samurai Daimyo armor and 320 Mon. Not too shabby for a guy who couldn’t sit still. 🦗
Usami Yoshiko – The Tearjerker
Usami Yoshiko waits on the outskirts of Katano Castle in Settsu, and here’s where the quest takes an emotional turn. You’ll find a bunch of civilians, so holster your weapons—there’s no fighting here. I walked up, had a heart-to-heart, and she spilled the beans about why she betrayed the group. I’m a softie, so I spared her. You can choose otherwise, but the quest progresses exactly the same. After the chat, I received 275 Mon and a mild existential crisis. Sometimes the blade stays dry, and that’s okay. 🕊️
Masatoshi Nakahara – The Last Stand
The final target is just north of Kameyama Castle in Tamba, and he’s got an entourage that’ll make you sweat. I fast-traveled to the nearest point, switched to Naoe for that sweet stealth advantage, and sneaked up behind him for a critical assassination. It chewed through about half his health, but the real challenge was the swarm of samurai who immediately wanted my head on a platter. I fell back, let the aggro die down, and did another assassination. If you’re feeling spicy, a well-timed smoke bomb can give you the cover you need to finish the job. After the dust settled, I looted Warrior’s Garden, a legendary Tanto, and 300 Mon. Felt like a boss. 🗡️
Wrapping Up
After dealing with all seven—or six, really, since one was already dead—I headed back to Hori Hidemasa as Yasuke. Turns out you can even flirt with the guy, which was a hilarious cherry on top. I walked away with Hori Hidemasa’s epic Helmet and a pile of gold crafting material. The whole quest is a rollercoaster of sneaky stabs, frustrating open fights, and one surprisingly tender moment. If 2026 has taught me anything, it’s that even in feudal Japan, a little patience and a lot of rooftop hiding can solve most problems. Now go out there and show those betrayers what for! 🎯