Nuno Caro

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Nuno Caro (died 1582) was a Portuguese slaver and a member of the Portuguese Rite of the Templar Order during the 16th century. Commissioned by the Inner Sanctum, Caro exploit the resources and trade of Japan, to establish a new rite for the Templar Order, with him as its leader.

With the help of fellow Templar Duarte de Melo, he manipulated the Shinbakufu into stealing the Imperial Regalia of Japan for the Templars, and lied to the Inner Sanctum about the artifacts' nature as Pieces of Eden as a means to continue the sponsorship of his mission. Caro and de Melo plotted together in controlling the people of Japan by coercing them based on their principles and views.

However, their ambitions were cut short in 1582 by Yasuke, who assassinated both Templars as revenge for enslaving him and murdering his mother years prior.

Biography

Expedition to Japan

Under the orders of the Inner Sanctum, Nuno Caro was sent to Japan to search for any artifacts. Within the next twenty years, both Templars discovered a number of different artifacts and treasures. Most importantly, they had learned about the Imperial Regalia, which they saw their enemy, the Kakushiba ikki, battle and die to protect.

At one point, de Melo and Caro had discussed about the Inner Sanctum and how they will be convinced to continue funding their mission. Caro had affirmed de Melo that the Inner Sanctum would believe whatever he told them, even his lie about the Imperial Regalia being Pieces of Eden. He also had asserted that their progress in Japan would give more promise and commerce than what was expected, especially at the country's ports.

Needing allies, they had convinced the overthrown Ashikaga shōgun Yoshiaki, who had founded the secret organization, the Shinbakufu, to trade the regalia in exchange for his return to power. As a result, the Kakushiba ikki was nearly destroyed by the Shinbakufu over the regalia, allowing the Templars to continue their machinations unopposed.

However, Caro and de Melo had noticed the issue of Lord Oda Nobunaga and his mission to unify Japan, a task that could impede their plans. Yet, Caro reassured him that one of Nobunaga's men, Akechi Mitsuhide, was already under his thumb and that all he needed was a "simple nudge" to go against his lord. When de Melo desired to kill Nobunaga himself, Caro asserted that their work was always done in private and that this was the way the Templars had always operated. Caro then happily explained that while these Japanese clans kept fighting each other, their plan would flourish and how he would promise to give the Japanese the "peace" he thought they deserve.

A rainy voyage

One stormy day, Caro and de Melo had sailed on one of their voyages alongside Japan's coast. Caro promptly walked into his quarters alongside his men when de Melo called to his attention about two of their slaves, Diogo and his mother, handling their documents pertaining to their Templar correspondence. Caro looked at the papers and the slaves and then gave a slight nod to Duarte.

When the Templars' men dragged Diogo and his mother to the deck, de Melo punched Diogo and held him down. Caro then took out his pistol and demanded the answer on who sent them. When Diogo denied any wrongdoing, Caro instantly killed his mother. When Caro aimed his pistol at Diogo, an Assassin revealed himself and started to take down the Templars' men.

Caro ordered his men and Duarte to subdue the Assassin. Although the Assassin killed most of the guards, he was soon stabbed by de Melo. Near death, the Assassin yelled at Diogo to go. While the Assassin was killed, Diogo took his mother's necklace and jumped overboard, yet not before Caro shot him. Looking at sea, Caro and de Melo had assumed that he died and continued on their voyage.

Leading the Japanese Rite

Installing the new rite, Caro had continued to support the Shinbakufu's efforts while expanding the Templars' influence across the country. He soon recruited daimyō Kimura Kei to the cause and instructed the lord to train a new army for the Order.

Meanwhile, he financially aided Shinbakufu member Akechi Mitsuhide on his plans against Nobunaga, but Caro took both his children Hosokawa Tama and Akechi Mitsuyoshi as collateral. Forcibly inducting Tama into the Templars, she placed her in charge of the silver production in Tamba at the Tada Silver Mines as means to finance the Templars' operations. To make sure that Tama abided, he took Mitsuyoshi hostage at Kameyama Castle and threatened his life.

The Templars' decline and his death

By 1582, upon hearing of the Shinbakufu's downfall, de Melo's and Kei's deaths at the hands of Yasuke, Caro sought to take down Oda's former samurai directly. In Tada, already disappointed in Tama's recent output of silver, he had instructed Tama to invite Yasuke to her estate, to lower his guard, and to poison him. Upon Yasuke's arrival, Tama followed through with Caro's orders while Caro came out to view the samurai slowly becoming immobilized. Almost recognizing him, Caro gave Tama the responsibility to handle the samurai before leaving.

Yet, Tama chose to go against Caro by aiding Yasuke in his mission. After securing both Tama's brother's safety and the Akechi clan's katana, Yasuke was informed by Tama of Caro's location: Takeda Castle. At the castle, Caro spoke of his surprise to his guards until Yasuke confronted him. Yasuke then revealed their past years ago and Caro suddenly remembered who he is.

Caro explained that his mother was a lesson to the rest on the ship for being disobedient but Yasuke did not relent. Ordering his guards to stop the "escaped slave," Caro entered into the castle and mocked Yasuke as he fought his men. However, Yasuke, who killed all of his men, confronted Nuno alone. Being bested, Caro begged for his life. Atop the tenshu, Caro was held at the ledge and then pushed over by the samurai.

Bleeding, Caro started to crawl away but attested to Yasuke gaining his vengeance. Yet, he continued to mock him about his mother again. Yasuke admitted though that Caro's imminent death is acutally a declaration of war against the Templars. Shocked, Caro exclaimed that his Templar Order will come for him and his league, but the samurai stated they will be ready.

While Yasuke readied his katana, Caro voiced that this is the beginning of Yasuke's end. Before he could shoot Yasuke in a last ditch effort, Caro was quickly slain by the samurai. Before he left, Yasuke proclaimed his name and acquired the amulet, the Masakado's Vengeance, from Caro's personal effects.

Personality and traits

"Your mother's death taught everyone how I felt about insubordination. Everyone except you, it seems."

―Nuno Caro to Yasuke

Nuno Caro was a pragmatic and ruthless man, whose prejudice and his immorality led him to act and commit atrocities for his own selfish desires. Like his partner Duarte de Melo, Caro ultimately worked towards taking control of Japan, its people, and its resources. He even held the Inner Sanctum in low regards, especially lying about the Imperial Regalia being Pieces of Eden. However, he showed true side of cowardice, begging for his life upon being bested by Yasuke.

Skills and equipment

In combat, Caro used a Carracks black sword as his main weapon and a pistol as his secondary weapon. Unlike some of his fellow Templar subordinates, he wore no armor.

Behind the scenes

Nuno Caro is a character introduced as an antagonist and assassination target in the 2025 video game Assassin's Creed: Shadows.

Etymology

Nuno is an Portuguese male name and is a derivation of either the Latin word, nunnus ("grandfather") or the Latin word nonnus ("chamberlain, squire").

Gallery

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  Nuno Caro
• 
  Nuno Caro arriving in Sakai in the 1560s

Appearances

• Assassin's Creed: Shadows (first appearance)
• Animus Hub (mentioned in Database entry only)
• Assassin's Creed: Shadows – Iga no Monogatari