Editing A Snake in the Shrine

{{Era|ACSH|Memories}}
{{Spoilerhd|16 December 2025|[[Claws of Awaji]]}}
{{Imageneed|''[[Assassin's Creed: Shadows]]''}}
{{IncompleteMemory|Shadows}}
{{Memory Infobox
|name=A Snake in the Shrine
|image=
|description=
|appearance=''[[Assassin's Creed: Shadows]] – [[Claws of Awaji]]''
|type=Main {{c|Chapter 19: Forcing the Hand}}
|reward=
|fullsync= 
|previous=[[The Way of the Kosode]]
|concurrent=
|next=[[Alone At Last]]
|source=[[Fujibayashi Naoe]]
|location=[[Izanagi Shrine]], [[Awaji]], [[Japan]]
|date={{Cite|03 November 2025}}
}}
'''A Snake in the Shrine''' was a virtual representation of one of [[Fujibayashi Naoe]]'s [[Genetic memory|genetic memories]], relived through the [[Animus|Animus EGO]].<ref name="ACSH">''[[Assassin's Creed: Shadows]]''</ref>

==Description==
Naoe meets with Hanzo one last time before going after Yasuhira.
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==Dialogue==
*'''Hattori Hanzo:''' ''I have pieced together this particular puzzle.''
*'''Naoe:''' ''Tell me everything.''
*'''Hanzo:''' ''The black masks. The kosode. They are linked to a meeting at a shrine commandered by Yasuhira. A gathering of his inner circle, I believe.''
*'''Naoe:''' ''Then we must behead this snake before he poisons any more of Awaji's people. What will be our approach?''
*'''Hanzo:''' ''It is your choice.''
*'''Naoe:''' ''In disguise, I could blend in.''
*'''Hanzo:''' ''A prudent choice, and a chance for some truth at last. Good luck.''
[]
*'''Naoe:''' ''Yasuhira. I must find him.''
[]
*'''Guard:''' ''Halt!''
[]
*'''Guard:''' ''Very well. You may go now.''
[]
*'''Naoe:''' ''If I can lure Yasuhira away from prying eyes, I may gain valuable information before eliminating him.''
[]
*'''Naoe:''' ''That is most certainly the man I am after. That's him. Yasuhira.''
[]
*'''Yasuhira:''' ''That is a lie, my friend. Your mask hides your face, but not your eyes. Remember always to wear a mask beneath your mask, if you hope to learn the truth of things.''
[]
*'''Yasuhira:''' ''Not now.''
*'''Naoe:''' ''Master, please. I must speak with you away from this crowd.''
*'''Yasuhira:''' ''Look around you. Everyone here wants my time. But for what reason shall I grant it? Hmm. Walk among those gathered here with your ears open. Learn something of value to me. Perhaps a morsel omitted in their report to me.''
*'''Naoe:''' ''Thank you for this opportunity to prove myself. You will soon see what I am capable of.''
[]
*'''Spy:''' ''Need to hide these instructions, lest someone steal them.''
*'''Naoe:''' ''I should follow that spy.''
[]
*'''Spy:''' ''There, now my lead is secure. Only I can deliver it to Yukari.''
[]
{{IUNote|Title=A Traitor Uncovered|Text=There is a traitor among our ranks. Shokichi has convened with our enemies and is actively seeking a way off Awaji.<br><br>Whoever brings the news to Yukari will be well-rewarded.}}
*'''Naoe:''' ''Good.''
[]
*'''Spy 2:''' ''Hey you! Looking to impress the master? I can help.''
[]
*'''Spy 2:''' ''I see you, friend. Trying to impress the master. Perhaps I can be of assistance?''
*'''Naoe:''' ''How do I know I can trust you?''
*'''Spy 2:''' ''You don't. But knowledge is power. Let us help each other, a rumor for a rumor.''
*'''Naoe:''' ''There was a traitor, Shokichi. He consorted with Hattori Hanzo himself.''
*'''Spy 2:''' ''Ah Shokichi. He never was the sharpest of blades... Very well. Fair's fair. Do you know of the escaped shinobi, Tsuyu? Apparently, she is based out of Sumoto Town these days. And now we are even.''
*'''Naoe:''' ''Thank you. That was surprisingly easy.''
*'''Spy 2:''' ''Just because I am a spy does not mean I have no honor. Most of the time. Our time together is at an end. Thank you. And if anyone asks... I told you nothing.''
[]
*'''Naoe:''' ''This looks valuable. They know of our Sumoto safehouse. I need to throw them off the scent.''
[]
[There might be a fragment missing here]
*'''Spy 3:''' ''Quiet! Follow me. Let us find somewhere more secluded to talk.''
*'''Naoe:''' ''That sounds promising. I should follow them.''
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*'''Spy 4:''' ''Surely we are safe here?''
*'''Spy 3:''' ''How many times must I tell you! Lower your voice. Come!''
*'''Spy 4:''' ''Tell me.''
*'''Spy 3:''' ''When the taisho confronted the shinobi and the outlander, the master ran! Yukari is furious!''
*'''Spy 4:''' ''That is a tasty morsel...''
[]
*'''Naoe:''' ''Interesting. I'd better get back to Yasuhira and finish this.''
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*'''Spy 5:''' ''What of Shokichi?''
*'''Spy 6:''' ''I've heard differing accounts. But his name never comes up without mention of Hattori Hanzo.''
*'''Spy 7:''' ''And he's not the only one. The all-knowing Yasuhira has many men plotting his...''
*'''Spy 6:''' ''Shh. Don't use his name. But you're right. Our master's time is at hand, it seems.''
*'''Spy 5:''' ''Still too late for poor Shokichi.''
[]
*'''Naoe:''' ''I already know this lead.''
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*'''Spy 8:''' ''Every one of us is desperate to earn his favor with news of Tsuyu's location.''
*'''Spy 9:''' ''And yet he refuses any audience. Yasuhira will learn of her Sumoto town foxhole from my lips alone.''
*'''Spy 8:''' ''Lips that soon will taste a better grade of sake.''
*'''Spy 9:''' ''And from my cup to yours. Be patient.''
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*'''Naoe:''' ''I already know this lead.''
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*'''Spy 10:''' ''Even the master is not without his faults, it seems.''
*'''Spy 11:''' ''Your meaning?''
*'''Spy 10:''' ''When Lady Yukari confronted Nobunaga's giant and the Igan... he ran.''
*'''Spy 11:''' ''The master did?''
*'''Spy 10:''' ''With all haste.''
*'''Spy 11:''' ''Well, it appears this time he may have actually earned Yukari's ire.''
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*'''Naoe:''' ''I already know this lead.''
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*'''Yasuhira:''' ''I did not imagine you would return so quickly. Now, tell me, what have those who should have kept their mouth shut babbled?''
*'''Naoe:''' ''Some spoke of Lady Yukari's fickle favor, and how perhaps you have fallen from it.''
*'''Yasuhira:''' ''Indeed.''
*'''Naoe:''' ''They say you ran. From confrontation.''
*'''Yasuhira:''' ''Even someone with all the knowledge in the world is capable of making mistakes. I will rectify this.''
*'''Naoe:''' ''There were those who spoke of betrayal.''
*'''Yasuhira:''' ''Shokichi.''
*'''Naoe:''' ''Yes. And others besides.''
*'''Yasuhira:''' ''I am well aware of the threats to my person, both from without and within. But I do appreciate the confirmation.''
*'''Naoe:''' ''There is much talk of Tsuyu's location on Awaji. Rumors abound she hides in... Yura.''
*'''Yasuhira:''' ''Hmm, is that so? I had heard rumblings of Sumoto, but Yura... Yes. Yes, that makes sense. Valuable information indeed. Very well. I have not learned much, only that you interest me. Come with me. I will allow you a... sliver of my time.''
[]
*'''Yasuhira:''' ''Come then, my dove. Speak the words you think I want to hear.''
*'''Naoe:''' ''Thank you, master. Every moment with you is a chance to add another of your skills to my own. I have learned of a dangerous man. He is a threat and must be eliminated. I intend to do it. I have no doubt that, alone, my blade would find him quickly enough. Yet I fear drawing a dozen of his men upon me.''
*'''Yasuhira:''' ''Yes. I see.''
[]
*'''Yasuhira:''' ''Have you considered a sleeping draught, for example? ''
*'''Naoe:''' ''A sedative. Of course. There are so many ways to get within striking range. I have much to learn.''
[Yasuhira approached her.]
*'''Yasuhira:''' ''And I have so much to teach...''
[Naoe slapped the mask off his face.]
*'''Yasuhira:''' [grunts]
*'''Naoe:''' [gasps] ''You?!''
She removed her own mask.
*'''Yasuhira:''' ''Well well. You are an impressive specimen.''
*'''Naoe:''' ''And you are Kadenokoji Juro Harima-no-Kami Yasuhira, Spymaster of Awaji.''
*'''Yasuhira:''' ''Call me... Yasu. Your mother did. We were close, her and I. You know, I have never met so resilient a woman. One who required such varied... persuasions.''
*'''Naoe:''' ''Stop.''
*'''Yasuhira:''' [laughs] ''All the traditional methods were useless. I had to try everything. Even gave her to that creature Nowaki for a while. The fun they had.''
*'''Naoe:''' ''Words. That's all you have. That's all you are. Words and stories and secrets. Behind it all, a little man, hiding behind a mask.''
*'''Yasuhira:''' ''What do you think behind your mother's mask? Hmm... Naoe? Loyalty?''
*'''Naoe:''' ''Devotion. To her family and her oath. And you stole both from her.''
[Yasuhira attempts to stab Naoe, but she quickly slices through his neck with her Hidden Blade.]
*'''Yasuhira:''' [winces] [gurgles]
[]
{{IUNote|Title=Yasuhira's Secret|Text=The boats are prepared. My escape route.<br><br>I have hidden a disguise under the twisted tree by the boat on the west coast, near the Sumoto and Fukura regions.<br><br>Yukari's obsession with that trinket could still ber her undoing. But it will not be mine...}}
*'''Naoe:''' ''Yasuhira's death brings us one step closer to Yukari. And just as he was closing in on our safehouse. Everyone is safer with those prying eyes blinded.''-->

==Outcome==
Naoe killed Yasuhira, depriving Yukari of her spymaster.

==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{ACSHMemories}}
[[Category:Memories of Fujibayashi Naoe]]
[[Category:Memories relived using the Animus EGO]]