What’s up, fellow blade-wielders and stealth enthusiasts! I’ve been slinking through the bamboo forests and crowded streets of Yamashiro for weeks now, and let me tell you, nothing gets the blood pumping like playing judge, jury, and executioner on a whole family of questionable characters. Assassin’s Creed Shadows throws you straight into the fire with a side quest called “The Twisted Tree” – and if you’re like me, it’ll make you stop mid-creep and actually think about where you’re pointing that hidden blade.
Technically, this whole drama kicks off when Ujimasa needs a favor in the “Inside Help” main quest. He wants the Takahashi family wiped off the map before he helps you with The Fool. But here’s the kicker: you don’t actually have to chat him up to get started. Those Takahashi suckers are already scattered around Kyoto like ninja-themed Easter eggs. I stumbled onto my first target while parkouring off a pagoda, and the quest popped up like a surprise birthday party – only with more blood and less cake. The best part? The rewards are absolutely stacked for early game, so you’ll want to sharpen your kunai and dive in pronto.
The whole Kyoto circus – where to find ’em
All four Takahashi family members are lounging around Kyoto in Yamashiro, which is a blessing and a curse. It’s all in one zone, so you don’t need to hop across provinces, but the city is denser than a sumo wrestler’s diet. I spent a good half hour just figuring out which roof I needed to be on. Pro tip: use Naoe’s eagle vision or whatever the devs are calling it these days, and tag everyone before making a move. You’ll thank me later.
Let’s break down each family member, because boy do they come with some moral curveballs.
🐍 Jiro Takahashi
Jiro was my first catch, and honestly, he almost talked me out of it. The letters on his body hint at a man who was maybe more misguided than truly rotten. But the game dangles a Final Word of the Guardian Rare Teppo in your face, and suddenly ethics get real flexible. Along with that boomstick, you snag an Armor Damage on Multiple Enemies Engraving, a Letter From Jiro’s Body, and 315 Mon. If you’re playing as Yasuke, that teppo is chef’s kiss. If you’re Naoe, it’s still worth lugging around for when you feel like going loud and proud.
⚔️ Taro Takahashi
Taro was a bit of a drama queen. His katana, Burden of Legacy, is an Uncommon weapon, but it looks slick enough to make you consider a Shinobi fashion show. You also nab a Critical Damage with Melee Weapon Engraving, which stacks beautifully with early assassin builds. Throw in another letter and 240 Mon, and you’ve got yourself a tidy little profit. I read his letter and actually felt a twinge of guilt – but then I remembered the engraving and moved on. No regrets, not even a little.
🍖 Saburo Takahashi
Now Saburo? This guy gave me pause. His Saburo’s Deference Uncommon Katana is nothing to scoff at, but the real prize is the Tools on Kill Engraving. That’s the kind of perk that makes you feel like a walking Swiss Army knife of death. Combine it with a smoke bomb and watch the chaos. You’ll also get a Letter from Saburo’s Body (are you sensing a theme?) and 290 Mon. By this point, my inventory was starting to look like a murder mystery novel collection.
🦊 Inoshichi Takahashi
The pièce de résistance is dear Inoshichi. He drops a Kitsune’s Legacy Legendary Engraving that is absolutely bonkers for any build that leans into agility or trickery. On top of that, you get Health for Samurai Mastery Legendary Engraving, which makes Yasuke tank even harder. We’re talking late-game utility in an early-game package. And yes, another letter and 305 Mon to pad your wallet. When I saw the legendary glow, I nearly spilled my sake. No brainer – he had to go, even if his letter suggested he once saved a puppy. (Okay, I made that up, but still.)
🤔 To kill or not to kill?
Here’s where “The Twisted Tree” earns its name. Unlike a typical criminal organization quest where every mark is a carbon copy of villainy, this one shows shades of gray. Some family members might’ve just been in the wrong place at the wrong time with the wrong surname. The letters you loot give you backstory snippets, and it’s entirely possible to spare a few – but you won’t get their sweet, sweet loot if you let them walk. The choice is yours, but let’s be real: those engravings aren’t going to grind themselves. I’m not saying you should be a heartless mercenary, but… okay, yes, that’s exactly what I’m saying. It’s Assassin’s Creed – we’ve all done worse for a legendary sword.
🎁 Final quest rewards
Once you’ve settled all family business (permanently or not), Ujimasa will acknowledge your work and the quest wraps up with some skill unlocks that will make your shinobi-samurai heart sing. You get Naoe’s Counter Attack Skill and Yasuke’s Riposte Skill, which open up defensive playstyles like nobody’s business. Plus a juicy 7000 XP boost that’ll push you closer to that next mastery point. I went from feeling like a wet behind the ears novice to a parry god in one questline – no joke.
🗺️ A few pointers from the shadows
If you’re tackling this early (and you should), here are some brainlet-friendly tips:
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Synchronize viewpoints first: Kyoto is a maze. Get those fast travel points online so you can hop between targets without losing your mind.
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Night owl approach: Takahashi family members are often less guarded at night. Slip in, do the deed, slip out.
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Read the letters: Even if you’re a loot goblin, the letters add flavor and might make you feel a shred of humanity before you loot the corpse.
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Use allies: If you’ve unlocked allies by then, they can distract or clear guards for you. Made my life 10 times easier.
Ultimately, “The Twisted Tree” isn’t just a side job; it’s a moral litmus test wrapped in a gear-giving extravaganza. You’ll walk away with some of the best early-game perks, a deeper understanding of how AC Shadows handles storytelling, and maybe a slightly dirtier conscience. Or not. Either way, that Kitsune engraving is calling your name. Go get ’em, ghost.