I remember strolling up to Fukuchiyama Castle during the Iron Hand quest – it's not just some optional fortress you can skip. This place is a mandatory stop if you want to finish that storyline, and honestly, going in loud with Yasuke just makes things messy. The wanted level spikes, reinforcements pour in, and suddenly it's a whole afternoon of fighting. No thanks. I prefer to get in and out like a ghost, and Naoe is my girl for that. So, let me break down exactly how I cleared all five Samurai Daisho without ever triggering an alarm.

First things first: this castle sits in northern Tamba, southeast of Miyazu Bay and northwest of the Tamba Highlands. The closest fast-travel spot is the Fukuchiyama Kakurega just north of the castle. I approached from that northern side, and right away I spotted a little outer area with three guards chit-chatting near the main gate. Don't even think about that entrance – it's a trap for amateurs. Instead, look to the right and you'll spot some scaffolding leading up to a broken wall. That's your golden ticket inside.

First Samurai Daisho – The North Courtyard

Once I climbed through the breach, I was in a small enclosed area with one guard. Easy peasy – a quick assassination and he was out. From there, I crept into the northern courtyard where the first Daisho icon was blinking. He was patrolling between two buildings, with just one other guard standing still. The trick here is patience. I hid in some bushes, waited until the Daisho walked away, then tossed a Shinobi Bell near the stationary guard. He came investigating like a moth to a flame, and I gave him a permanent nap. When the Daisho came back to his post, I simply waited for him to turn around and then slithered up behind him. No sweat.

Second Samurai Daisho – Inside the Tenshu

From that courtyard, I hugged the eastern edge, dodging patrols by a hair. Heading south, I used the snowy rocks to grapple up into the main courtyard where the massive Tenshu tower stands. The second Daisho was inside this building, so I scaled the outer wall and climbed all the way to the top. There's an open door near the top floor and a trapdoor on the roof – I went through the open door. Inside, I dropped down one floor and found him chatting with a soldier at the bottom of some stairs. I literally just crouched there, waited until they were both still, then walked over and double-assassinated them with my tanto. It was almost too easy.

Third Samurai Daisho – Central Courtyard Chat

I headed west from the Tenshu through the central courtyard. The third Daisho was having a conversation with a subordinate, and there was a third guy lounging on a porch watching them. I dealt with the onlooker first – a quiet takedown when the others weren't looking. Then I snuck up behind the duo and performed another double assassination. Clearing out the area felt like a breeze.

Fourth Samurai Daisho – The Southern Cluster

Moving directly south to the farthest courtyard, I found the fourth Daisho pacing around with three guards nearby. When he stopped, two guards stood in front of him, and one more stood at the far end of his patrol. I climbed onto a roof next to the lone guard, waited for the Daisho to turn his back, killed that guard, and then immediately crouch-walked over to where the Daisho was hidden behind supply crates. The other two guards never saw a thing as I assassinated him from behind the crates. Like taking candy from a baby.

Fifth Samurai Daisho – The Lonely Boss

To wrap things up, I went northwest from that southern courtyard back toward the center, then moved to the westernmost section. This final Daisho was almost pitifully easy: just him and one other guard sitting in a tiny courtyard. I hopped on a roof to survey the scene, then jumped down into a trench, climbed up, and when the Daisho walked away from his buddy, I assassinated the guard. One quick crouch-walk later, the Daisho was dead before he knew what hit him.

With all five targets down, the castle was my playground. I looted everything in sight: rare chests in the northern courtyard, a chest near the Tenshu, cosmetic flora in the south, and a bunch of resources. But the real prize is the Legendary Chest back in the Tenshu on the third floor from the top. Inside, I grabbed 3,000 XP, an engraving, and the stylish Kasa of the Legendary Ronin for Yasuke. Oh, and don't skip the synchronization viewpoint at the very top of the Tenshu – the view is killer.

All in all, Fukuchiyama Castle is a piece of cake if you stay true to the shadows. Sure, you can brute-force it with Yasuke, but where's the fun in that? This is Assassin's Creed – act like it.