Nobutsuna Sensei

He who increaseth knowledge, increaseth sorrow. This article contains spoilers, meaning it has information and facts concerning Assassin's Creed: Shadows. If you do not want to know about these events, it is recommended to read on with caution, or not at all. This template should be removed from the article 20 June 2025.

Where are the paintings? This article is in need of more images and/or better quality pictures from official media in order to achieve a higher status. You can help the Assassin's Creed Wiki by uploading better images on this page.

Nobutsuna Sensei was a virtual representation of one of Yasuke's genetic memories, relived through the Animus EGO.

Description

Yasuke, then known as Diogo, visits Kamiizumi Nobutsuna's house to begin his training.

Dialogue

Accompanied by a guard, Diogo arrives at Nobutsuna's house and found two samurai conversing outside the house. One of them noticed Yasuke.

• Marume Nagayoshi: What is it?

The samurai signaled for Nagayoshi to turn around. Diogo gave him a bow.

• Diogo: I have been sent by Lord Nobunaga to train with Kamiizumi Nobutsuna sensei.

Yasuke took out a letter issued by Nobunaga. Nagayoshi came down the stairs and took the letter before signaling for the guard to leave.

• Marume Nagayoshi: Follow me.

Yasuke followed the samurai to the Training Grounds, the latter being greeted by the trainees.

• Samurai Duelist 1: Sir.

Diogo overheard the students gossiping about him.

• Samurai Duelist 2: I bet he won't last two strikes. Sensei is fierce and unyielding.
• Samurai Duelist 3: But look at his size! I think he could last five.
• Samurai Duelist 2: It's a bet. Loser owes the other sake.

Nagayoshi brought Yasuke to Nobutsuna, who was performing bonsai. Nobutsuna signaled Diogo to remain still while he approached the swordmaster. After bowing, Nagayoshi went forward to inform him of Diogo's arrival and showed him the letter with Nobunaga's approval. After doing so, Nagayoshi returned to Diogo.

• Marume Nagayoshi: Diogo, Nobutsuna sensei will do as Lord Nobunaga commands and train you in his shinkage-ryu style.
• Diogo: Thank you, Nobutsuna sensei.
• Marume Nagayoshi: We have one moth until Lord Nobunaga's return. He will expect you to be the finest of warriors by then. A shining example of strength, loyalty, and technique.
• Diogo: And if I am not?

Kamiizumi Nobutsuna, who heard Yasuke's reply, turned around.

• Kamiizumi Nobutsuna: You must be.
• Diogo: I will work hard to be the warrior Lord Nobunaga expects.
• Marume Nagayoshi: Good. But your success will take more than hard work. You will need humility, concentration and perseverance. You must live Nobutsuna sensei's teachings if you are to truly master them. Now take up the shinai and show our sensei your skills.

Diogo picked up a shinai and took position in the court opposite Nagayoshi. Both of them drew their swords.

• Kamiizumi Nobutsuna: Begin.
• Marume Nagayoshi: Do not hold back. I will not.

Heeding his words, Yasuke began striking him.

• Marume Nagayoshi: You hack like a peasant.
• Kamiizumi Nobutsuna: (grunts) A pitiful display.
• Diogo: I can defeat you.
• Marume Nagayoshi: Do not fight me. The true fight is within.
• Diogo: You speak in riddles.

After a while, Nagayoshi disarmed a heavily beaten Diogo.

• Diogo: (grunts) (breathes)
• Marume Nagayoshi: Follow me.

Diogo gave Nobutsuna sensei a bow before joining with Nagayoshi at the stairs.

• Marume Nagayoshi: There is a house down those stairs. Go there. I will find you shortly.

Diogo listened and went down, hearing gossips from the nearby watchers.

• Man: Ah! That wasn't a duel. That was a beating.
• Woman: How is he still standing?

Diogo went down the stairs, holding in the pain from his injuries.

• Diogo: (winces) That... that hurt.

As he reached his hut, he found a group of samurai harrasing an elderly lady.

• Sanada-ryu Student 1: You are the one cooking for us? That food is not fit for dogs.
• Sanada-ryu Student 2: Our master is a guest of Lord Nobunaga himself!
• Elderly Servant: Tomorrow it will improve. I promise.
• Sanada-ryu Student 2: It better. Or Lord Nobunaga will hear about it.

The samurai pushed the elderly servant, which Diogo took notice.

• Diogo: Leave her alone!

The group turned to Yasuke.

• Sanada-ryu Student 2: And who is this, now? Tell me you are not a student of Nobutsuna sensei. Has he stooped so low? Oh, Master Masatoyo will want to hear about this.

Diogo went to check on the elderly servant.

• Diogo: Are you all right?

The servant bowed and quickly left.

• Sanada-ryu Student 2: I am talking to you, outlander! Don't you know how to bow to your betters?

Diogo gave no response but a stern look.

• Sanada-ryu Student 2: YOu will pay for this.

The samurai attacked Diogo with his shinai. Diogo followed suit, and returned his attack. The samurai's fellow group then attacked Diogo from behind, knocking him the ground, with his opponent giving a heavy strike.

• Sanada-ryu Student 2: Stay down, outlander. If you show such insolence again, you will know my katana.
• Sanada-ryu Student 1: (laughs)
• Sanada-ryu Student 2: (laughs)

The group of samurai students left the area. Once they cleared, Nagayoshi came to check on Diogo.

• Marume Nagayoshi: You cannot stay there forever, Diogo. Come with me.

Diogo gathered enough strength to regain his stand, following Nagayoshi into his house and room.

• Diogo: I would be fine in a barracks or a more modest lodging.
• Marume Nagayoshi: You are a guest of Lord Nobunaga. You will stay here.
  Tomorrow, you train again. I will bring sensei's instructions in the morning.

Nagayoshi closed the door to Diogo's residence and took his leave. Diogo then laid down on the ground, and got emotional over the day's events.

• Diogo: (cries)

He then remembered the sound of gun fire.

• Diogo: No. No!

Diogo took out a charm from his home land.

• Diogo: I cannot go back. I cannot give up. I cannot fail.

He punched his right fist to the ground. The next morning, Diogo was woken up by a knock on the door.

• Diogo: (sighs)

Diogo quickly got up and went to open the door, where he was greeted by a large man.

• Kuma: Diogo. Lady Oichi would like to meet you. You may approach.

As Kuma moved away, Diogo saw the lady looking at him from a distance. Diogo approached her with a bow.

• Kuma: Lady Oichi, younger sister of Lord Nobunaga. Diogo, the visitor from -
• Lady Oichi: Oh, everyone knows Diogo. He's so, so...
• Diogo: Different?
• Lady Oichi: Tall! I heard you had some trouble last night with samurai from Master Masatoyo's school.
• Diogo: Yes. I... I did not know who they were.
• Lady Oichi: They have come to Azuchi with their master, Sanada Masatoyo, to pledge their fealty to my brother.
• Diogo: It was not my intention to make trouble.

Diogo walked with Oichi.

• Lady Oichi: The way I heard it, they were the ones making trouble. And you came to the defense of a woman they were harassing.
  That was noble. I wanted to meet this foreigner who would stand up for someone of no consequence to himself. I know my brother took you into his service. But what brought you here to begin with?
• Diogo: The Portuguese.
• Lady Oichi: Hmm... You sound bitter.
• Diogo: No, not anymore. Whatever will come of my time here, I am ready. Lord Nobunaga is a great man.
• Lady Oichi: It must be lonely, far from your family and home.
• Diogo: Over the years, I have learned to live this way.
• Lady Oichi: Do you have a wife, children? Parents, perhaps? We could send for them.
• Diogo: I - uh. That is not possible.
• Lady Oichi: What really brought you here? How long will you stay? What makes a man leave all he has known to come so far?
  Who are you really, Diogo?
• Diogo: Forgive me, Lady Oichi. I must depart.

Diogo gave a bow.

• Lady Oichi: Then before you go, we have a gift for you.

A female servant came over with a kosode.

• Lady Oichi: This kosode was made by the woman you saved last night. She wanted you to have it.

Diogo accepted the gift.

• Diogo: I am honored.

Lady Oicho then departed with the servant and Kuma. Diogo later changed into the kosode and returned to train with Nobutsuna sensei. In his first session, he was easily beat down by the teacher.

• Diogo: (grunts)
• Kamiizumi Nobutsuna: You betray your intentions at every step.

At night, Nobutsuna also trained Diogo in caligraphy, which the latter learned from Lady Nene. After finishing, Diogo presented it to Nobutsuna sensei, who was not impressed and tore it up. Diogo continued these sessions in the next few days, each being met in failure. A few times, the Sanada-ryu students came to watch and mock his training. Diogo persisted and continued, occasionally conducting meditations and sparred with Nobutsuna in the rain. Despite being hit in the ground, Diogo refused to give up and stood up, ready to face his master again. Eventually, Diogo grew a bear. Soon, his caligraphy work was accepted by Nobutsuna, and he was able to repel and block all of his sensei's attacks and hit him in the back. Even the Sanada-ryu students were stunned by what they saw.

• Diogo: My apologies, sensei.
• Kamiizumi Nobutsuna: No need. You did not react, you responded. Good.

The two duelists bowed to each other in respect. Later that evening, Diogo was in his residence when he heard noise coming from the outside. As he looked out, he saw a Jesuit priest spying on him. The priest, having realized, quickly ran away.

• Diogo: Hey!

Diogo stood up and gave chase.

• Diogo: (Portuguese) Who are you?
• Jesuit Priest: (Portuguese) I'm sorry!

They soon ran past the Eastern Barracks.

• Diogo: (Portuguese) Stop!
• Jesuit Priest: (Portuguese) Leave me alone!
• Diogo: (Portuguese) Why are you watching me?

The priest reached a deadend, allowing Diogo to catch up.

• Diogo: (Portuguese) Why are you spying on me?!
• Jesuit Priest: (Portuguese) I'm sorry. My curiosity -
• Diogo: (Portuguese) Stop lying.
• Jesuit Priest: (Portuguese) I was to negotiate with the Oda clan about building a church nearby.
• Diogo: (Portuguese) You were watching me.
• Jesuit Priest: (Portuguese) I was suprised to see a man like you in a place like this. I should not have stared. Please forgive me.

Diogo eventually accepted the priest's words. After a season, Diogo heard a knock on the door. He opened up and was greeted by Marume Nagayoshi.

• Marume Nagayoshi: Nobutsuna sensei summons you, Diogo.
• Diogo: Oh. I thought we had finished for the day.
• Marume Nagayoshi: Indeed.

Marume Nagayoshi took his leave while Diogo made his way to Nobutsuna's residence.

• Diogo: What does the sensei want with me at this time of night?

He passed by the Training Grounds.

• Diogo: So peaceful and quiet now. Unlike the day.

He soon reached the residence, which was tightly guarded by a number of samurai.

• Diogo: Who are these people?
  What is this?

The samurai at the door stood aside, signaling Diogo to enter. Diogo entered and found a noble lady looking at a sword display inside. She turned around, revealing herself as Lady Nene.

• Lady Nene: Enter, Diogo.
• Diogo: Lady Nene. My apologies, I did not expect you.

The samurai closed the door behind them.

• Lady Nene: Please, sit. I wish to speak with you while your sensei is away.

Diogo sat down at the table.

• Diogo: Nobutsuna sensei does not know you are here?
• Lady Nene: You are loyal, Diogo. Good. But we need not burden him with politics of a visit by Lord Hideyoshi's wife. You are fortunate, Diogo. You need allies at Azuchi, and Nobutsuna sensei is valuable.
• Diogo: His training has been grueling.
• Lady Nene: That is why Lord Nobunaga chose him. There is no one better to test your strength, your skill, and most of all, your loyalty. Lord Nobunaga was also a student of Nobutsuna sensei's teachings. Long ago. A devoted student with an unshakable belief in himself. That confidence blinds him to certain dangers. He has many enemies. More than even he knows. He needs someone like you.

Lady Nene picked up the sheathed katana on the wall.

• Diogo: Because of my size? My strength?
• Lady Nene: No. A humble man. Like the ashigaru Lord Nobunaga is so fond of. Unencumbered by the jealousies and politicking of samurai and daimyo (lords). Nobutsuna sensei was once that for Lord Nobunaga.

Lady Nene sat down while holding the sword. and then placed it on the table.

• Lady Nene: Lord Nobunaga once gifted Nobutsuna sensei a prized katana. A reward for his teachings. But a champion from a rival school, Sanada Masatoyo's school, challenged Nobutsuna's champion for the sword and won. This defeat dishonored Nobutsuna sensei and, he feels, diminished him in the eyes of Lord Nobunaga. Those samurai who mocked you are from that same rival school. Masatoyo is their sensei.
• Diogo: I begin to understand.

Lady Nene stood up. and headed for the door.

• Lady Nene: Tomorrow, Lord Nobunaga returns to Azuchi. Masatoyo will swear allegiance to him at a ceremony.

Nene's follower brought a sword.

• Lady Nene: Masatoyo will make sure to wear Nobutsuna's katana at his belt.

Diogo stood up and accepted the katana from the samurai. He then gave it a good look.

• Diogo: For all to see.
• Lady Nene: Tomorrow is about loyalty. Something Lord Nobunaga values above all else.

Lady Nene then left the residence.

• Diogo: Loyalty.

That night, Diogo brought the sword to the training ground and pondered over Nene's words.

• Kamiizumi Nobutsuna: A new katana, I see.

Nobutsuna sensei came from behind. Diogo immediately bowed as a greeting.

• Diogo: It was a gift from Lady Nene.
• Kamiizumi Nobutsuna: It is rare to see you out of your room at this hour. Something troubles you.

Diogo said nothing for a moment.

• Kamiizumi Nobutsuna: No matter. Let us see how you wield that blade.

Nobutsuna sensei went up to the platform and turned around to face Diogo who's was at the ground. He then drew his shinai and took a still position.

• Kamiizumi Nobutsuna: Follow my movement.

Diogo took kata lessons from Nobutsuna, training his movement and form. He did so until dawn, and managed to fully learn the art.

• Kamiizumi Nobutsuna: I must go now, Diogo. Continue the movements until your thoughts no longer trouble you.

Diogo bowed.

• Diogo: Thank you, Nobutsuna sensei.

As Nobutsuna left, Diogo practiced the kata one more time.

• Diogo: Benevolence. Righteousness. Courtesy. Wisdom. Integrity. Courage. This is what it means to take up the sword. This is who I am.

Just then, he noticed a young boy behind him wielding a shinai and practicing kata just like he does.

• Akira: I will be a warrior like you.
• Diogo: I am still learning, myself. Nobutsuna sensei is a true master.
• Akira: My grandfather was a warrior. I wanted to be like him too. His name was Yasuke. He was brave, but also kind. When anyone needed something, they would call "Yasuke! Yasuke!" And he would always help. And, and... and I miss him. And he was brave.
• Diogo: It is good to remember your grandfather Yasuke. We should always act such that we are remembered well.
• Akira: Yes. But I also wan tto be like you!

Akira ran off, leaving Diogo to ponder over the name mentioned by the boy.

• Diogo: Yasuke. Hm...

Later that night, Nobunaga arrived at the castle, with a ceremony being held for Sanada Masatoyo to pledge loyalty to his clan. Nobutsuna was also present and saw Diogo coming in.

• Sanada Masatoyo: Lord Oda Nobunaga.
• Kamiizumi Nobutsuna: Diogo, not now!

Diogo ignored his sensei's pleas and went in.

• Sanada Masatoyo: I present this helmet... as a sign of my school's undying loyalty. Please accept this gift, my lord.

Diogo came to the front where Masatoyo was and bowed infront of Nobunaga, just as Masatoyo noticed and stood up.

• Oda Nobunaga: Diogo! Speak.
• Diogo: I... I challenge Masatoyo's champion to a duel. I will win back my mentor's sword.
• Sanada Masatoyo: Outrageous! This barbarian is no samurai. He has no right to –

Nobunaga stopped him with a hand signal.

• Oda Nobunaga: Samurai or not, I permit this duel. No, I command it.
• Sanada Masatoyo: Yes, lord! But lord... My champion defeated three students. Can he do the same?
• Diogo: Send three or thirty, it matters not. I will take that sword back.

Nobunaga nodded and acknowledged Yasuke's response. Masatoyo placed the sword on a display and then signaled his students to get ready. As a samurai prepared a shinai, Yasuke stopped him.

• Yasuke: No.

Yasuke drew the katana he received from Lady Nene.

• Diogo: We fight with steel.

The Sanada-ryu students who beat down on Diogo before drew their swords. Nobunaga clapped his hand.

• Oda Nobunaga: Begin.

The students begin to attack Diogo.

• Diogo: You said I would know your katana. Come on, then!
• Sanada-ryu Student 1: I will relish watching you die in shame.
• Kamiizumi Nobutsuna: Do not react. Respond.

Diogo listened to his sensei's words and managed to kill one of the students, causing the remaining to panic.

• Sanada-ryu Student 2: Masatoyo sensei, what now?
• Sanada Masatoyo: You were born into the house of the warrior! Grasps your sword and kill!

Some time later, Yasuke killed the remaining students. He wiped the blood off his sword using his clothes before putting it back into its sheath. Having won the duel, Diogo went to the front where the helmet and sword was displayed.

• Diogo: I will have that.

Having lost the duel, Masatoyo stood aside. Diogo then retrieved Nobutsuna's sword and returned to his side. He kneeled down and present his sword.

• Diogo: It is an honor to return your katana, sensei.

Nobutsuna accepted the sword and Diogo soon got up. After bowing, Diogo went back to Nobunaga' side, giving him a full bow. Mori Ranmaru, Nobunaga's closest retainer and the boy Akira was also in attendance.

• Oda Nobunaga: Diogo, you have proven your loyalty and valor. What's more, you have earned your place next to me. As a samurai.
  What shall we call you, samurai?

After some thoughts, Diogo responded.

• Diogo: My name... is Yasuke.

Some time after the faithful event, Diogo, now called Yasuke, visited his mentor at the Training Ground.

• Kamiizumi Nobutsuna: Yasuke, join me.

Yasuke joined his mentor at the platform around his bonsai.

• Yasuke: This tree remains my favorite in all of Azuchi.
• Kamiizumi Nobutsuna: Cultivating a bonsai is about guiding its proportion, its balance, and its maturation. But the tree itself must also want to develop. A gardener can only guide the tree so far.
• Yasuke: My hope is to remain worthy of your guidance, sensei.
• Kamiizumi Nobutsuna: You are more than worthy. You have come from a faraway land, shaken off bondage, and mastered our tongue.
  Foreign samurai are unheard of, yet you were chosen by the great Lord Nobunaga. I don't know what Lord Nobunaga saw in you when he first sent you, but I am glad that he did.
  You may yet prove to be the most promising student to ever study Shinkage-ryu.

Diogo bowed to expressed his gratefulness for the praise.

• Diogo: You honor me, Nobutsuna sensei.

Nobutsuna took out a list and gave it to Yasuke.

• Kamiizumi Nobutsuna: That is a list of names. The greatest students from across my many years of teaching. They will push you harder than I can. And if you can defeat them, you will be the true champion of my school. When you are ready, open that scroll and read those names. But only when you are truly ready.
• Yasuke: I will challenge these students. And whoever wins, the victory is yours, sensei.

Outcome

Diogo trained under Kamiizumi Nobutsuna and adopted his skills and techniques. In from of Nobunaga, he then challenged and defeated Sanada Masatoyo's students to win back his mentor's sword, which he presented to him. Nobunaga, having witnessed Diogo's loyalty and worth, proclaimed him one of his samurai, allowing him to adopt the name of Yasuke. Nobutsuna later presented a list of his top students to Yasuke for him to seek them out to defeat and become the champion of the Shinkage-ryu.