Kotetsu

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Xiao Hu, also known as Kotetsu, was the son of a Japanese Assassin member of the Chinese Brotherhood and later founder of the Japanese Brotherhood.

Biography

Meeting Shao Jun

In 1526, Xiao Hu's father sent information on the whereabouts of the Precursor box, telling Mentor Wang Yangming of the Chinese Brotherhood that it was in the hands of Yu Dayong in Macau. Xiao Hu and his father were captured by the Templars soon after and thrown into a stronghold. His father distracted the guards to allow him to escape. As he left the stronghold through a ship, he was apprehended by a soldier and saved by Shao Jun. He recognized the Assassin insignia on her necklace as a symbol his father had drawn in a letter, and so he showed her the way to the ship's deck and how she could get closer to the stronghold. Xiao Hu asked her to save his father, and she answered that she would, so long as he got somewhere safe. However, as Shao Jun finally reached the place where her fellow Assassin was tortured, it turned out to already be too late, and he died in her arms.

Later, the young boy witnessed Qiu Ju's soldiers setting Macau ablaze in retribution for Yu Dayong's death. After the fire, Xiao Hu discovered that Shao Jun had survived when a woman calmed denizens blaming the fugitive by assuring them that the latter had saved her and her daughter.

Finding a Master

In 1529, Xiao Hu tracked Jun back to Nan'an using the contacts of his late father. Disguised as a musician, the Assassin was there to kill the Templar Wei Bin. However, when she reached the city gates, a guard stopped Jun, demanding to search her. As the Assassin was in a precarious position, Xiao suddenly appeared and helped a puzzled Jun pass the guard. Once inside, Jun finally recognized the older boy. She then told him about the fate of his father and his last words. Reacting to the fact that his father wished him to see their homeland again, Xiao Hu revealed that his family had come from an island in the east, beyond the oceans. Taking her outfit and weapons from its hiding spot in her instrument, Jun equipped herself and set off in search of her prey. As she was leaving, Xiao thought about asking her something but decided to wait until their next meeting.

In 1530, Xiao Hu helped the wanted Shao Jun infiltrate Beijing by posing as her little brother to avoid suspicions. As they observed the sleeping Forbidden City from a tree, Xiao asked Jun if they were really going to break into the palace. Determined to go alone, the Assassin thanked him for his help but ordered him to wait for her. As she was about to leave, Xiao Hu asked Shao Jun to take him as her Assassin disciple once she dealt with the Templars and she accepted, telling the boy that he would make a great Assassin.

Life as an Assassin

By 1532, Xiao had become Shao Jun's apprentice. During a training exercise at the outskirts of Beijing, Xiao attempted to ambush his master but was caught off guard and knocked down. His master expelled some words of wisdom concerning his inability to hide his presence, which he took to heart. When queried about recent rumors regarding the remaining member of the Eight Tigers, Zhang Yong, Xiao Hu revealed that Zhang Yong had reportedly allied with the Mongols from beyond the north of the Great Wall. The apprentice and his master then traveled to the Great Wall to confirm this rumor. Together, they discovered that Zhang Yong and Altan Khan had formed an alliance and the Mongols were planning an imminent attack. Just as quickly as they had learned of this, the Mongols attacked led by Altan. Xiao Hu rushed to close the gate as ordered by his master who went to confront Zhang Yong. With Zhang Yong dead, the Mongol's alliance apart and the attack was abandoned.

Years later, Xiao Hu, now a fully fledged Assassin, approached the now-Mentor of the Chinese Brotherhood, Shao Jun, announcing his return to his homeland. The Templars has infiltrated Japan, and he planned to start a new branch of the Brotherhood over there to combat the threat. Before he departed, Xiao Hu and Shao Jun recited the tenants together before bidding each other farewell.

Gallery

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  Closeup of Xiao Hu

Appearances

• Assassin's Creed: Blade of Shao Jun