Kotetsu: Difference between revisions
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- Shao Jun: "Well, I suppose you'll be known as "Kotetsu" where you're headed."
- Xiao Hu: "Yes. Sadly, it seems the Templar Order has infiltrated my ancestral homeland as well. Once I've started a new branch of the Assassin Brotherhood, I'll find like-minded allies... and tell them of our Creed."
- —Shao Jun and Xiao Hu prior to the latter's departure to Japan.[src]-[m]
Xiao Hu (born c. 1510s), also known as Kotetsu, was a Japanese member of the Chinese Brotherhood of Assassins serving under Shao Jun in the early 16th century. He later became the founder of the Japanese Brotherhood.
Biography
Early life
Kotetsu was born in Japan during the Sengoku period. When he was still an infant, his father left the country and relocated to China alongside Kotetsu to escape the wars and conflicts in their homeland.[1] In time, Kotetsu's father joined the Chinese Brotherhood of Assassins led by the Mentor Wang Yangming, and informed his son, who had changed his name to Xiao Hu, of his new affiliations.[2]
After the Templars took advantage of the Great Rites Controversy to initiate a purge of the Chinese Assassins,[3] Xiao Hu's father was among the few members of the Brotherhood who managed to escape with their lives. He subsequently went into hiding in Macau alongside his son, where he spied on local Templar operations.[2]
Meeting Shao Jun
In 1526, Xiao Hu's father learned that a Precursor box stolen by the Templars was in the possession of Yu Dayong, one of the Eight Tigers who oversaw the slave trade in Macau. He managed to relay this information to Wang Yangming shortly before he was captured by the Templars along with his son. Thrown into Yu Dayong's stronghold, Xiao Hu's father distracted the guards to allow his son to escape.[2]
As he attempted to leave the fortress by hiding in a ship, Xiao Hu was caught by a soldier but was saved by Shao Jun. The boy recognized the Assassin insignia on Shao Jun's 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 Yu Dayong's 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 reached the place where Xiao Hu's father had been tortured, it turned out to already be too late, and he died in her arms.[2]
Later, Xiao Hu witnessed the Templar Qiu Ju's soldiers setting the port of Macau ablaze in retribution for Yu Dayong's death. After the fire, he 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.[4]
Finding a Master
In 1529, Xiao Hu tracked Shao Jun 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 Shao Jun, demanding to search her. As the Assassin was in a precarious position, Xiao Hu suddenly appeared and helped a puzzled Shao Jun pass the guard.[1]
Once inside, Shao 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, Shao Jun equipped herself and set off in search of her target. As she was leaving, Xiao thought about asking her something but decided to wait until their next meeting.[1]
In 1530, Xiao Hu again reunited with Shao Jun,[5] now the last Chinese Assassin following Wang Yangming's death.[6] He helped the fugitive Assassin to infiltrate Beijing by posing as her little brother to avoid suspicions. As they observed the sleeping Forbidden City from a tree, Xiao Hu asked Shao Jun if they were really going to break into the palace.[5]
Determined to go alone and find her old friend Zhang Qijie, the Assassin thanked him for his help but instructed 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.[5]
Life as an Assassin
By 1532, Xiao Hu had become Shao Jun's first apprentice. During a training exercise on the outskirts of Beijing, Xiao Hu 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.[7]
When queried about recent rumors regarding the last surviving member of the Eight Tigers, Zhang Yong, Xiao Hu revealed that the Templar had reportedly allied with the Mongols from beyond the Great Wall. The apprentice and his master then traveled to the Great Wall to confirm this rumor. Together, they assassinated several of Zhang Yong's men and interrogated one of them, learning that the Tiger leader and Altan Khan had indeed formed an alliance and that the Mongols were planning an imminent attack.[7]
Just as quickly as they had learned of this, the Mongols launched their assault. Xiao Hu rushed to close one of the Wall's gates as ordered by his master who went to confront Zhang Yong.[7] After Shao Jun assassinated Zhang Yong, the Mongols' alliance with the Templars fell apart and the attack was repelled.[8]
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. With the Templars having infiltrated Japan, 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 tenets of the Creed together before bidding each other farewell.[9]
Personality and traits
Xiao Hu was inspired by both his father and Shao Jun's actions to fight for freedom and justice by becoming an Assassin. After learning of Shao Jun's heroic deeds, saving civilians from the Macau fire started by the Templars,[4] Xiao Hu tracked her down with the intention of becoming her apprentice and joining the Brotherhood.[1]
The young boy proved to be an indispensable ally in Shao Jun's quest to eliminate the Eight Tigers, as his quick thinking helped her infiltrate Nan'an. He also restored the Assassin's confidence when Shao Jun blamed herself for the Templars' actions in Macau by explaining that there would always be evil people willing to commit atrocities to achieve their goals.[1]
After becoming a fully-fledged Assassin, Xiao Hu expressed gratitude towards Shao Jun for training him and revealed his intention to continue the Brotherhood's work by establishing a new branch in Japan and liberating his homeland from Templar influence. Before his departure, Xiao Hu and Shao Jun shared an emotional hug, as beyond master and apprentice, the two regarded each other as friends first and foremost, having developed an almost sibling-like relationship.[9]
Equipment and skills
From a young age, Xiao Hu proved to be a capable climber, easily scaling the mast of a ship in Macau.[2] Through his Assassin training, he also became adept at combat and stealth, learning to blend in with his environment to surprise his enemies.[7]
Gallery
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Close-up of Xiao Hu -
Xiao Hu in his Assassin robes in 1530 -
Xiao Hu in 1532
Appearances
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Assassin's Creed: Blade of Shao Jun – Reunion
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Assassin's Creed: Blade of Shao Jun – Port
- ↑ Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China – Scroll 10
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Assassin's Creed: Blade of Shao Jun – Consequences
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Assassin's Creed: Blade of Shao Jun – The Court
- ↑ Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China – Hunted
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 Assassin's Creed: Blade of Shao Jun – The Great Wall
- ↑ Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China – Vengeance
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Assassin's Creed: Blade of Shao Jun – Creed
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