Assassin's Creed: Fragments – The Blade of Aizu

Assassin's Creed: Fragments – The Blade of Aizu (French: Assassin's Creed: Fragments – La lame d'Aizu) is a French novel. It was released in France on 15 April 2021 and is part of a new trilogy of Assassin's Creed young adult books by 404 Éditions known as the Fragments series. The English translation published by Titan Books was released on 6 June 2023.

The events of the novel take place in Japan, following Shiba Atsuko and her brother Ibuka from August 1867 shortly the Icarus affair until the Battle of Aizu in October 1868.

Description

Japan, 1868. The opposition between the Tokugawa Shogunate and the Emperor's supporters is growing under the influence of external forces. The Templars have infiltrated the Emperor's court and are pushing him to go to war against Tokugawa, an ally of the Assassin Brotherhood. Could the glorious era of the Samurai be on the verge of collapse?

Atsuko, a 16-year-old Japanese girl, grew up in the wealthy neighborhoods of the city of Aizu. Although she is expected to follow cultural tradition and accept an arranged marriage, she dreams of another life. Since childhood, Atsuko and her brother Ibuka have been trained in martial arts. She wields weapons as well as her brother, who is regarded by many as Aizu's most promising warrior. But the two siblings share a secret: Ibuka is a formidable Samurai but has an insurmountable fear of combat. When war is declared, Ibuka must go and fight alongside their father for the honor of the family. Defying tradition, Atsuko disguises as a male soldier and enlist in the Shogun's army, eager to show the extent of her talents, while watching out for her brother.

Summary

Chapter 1

In their dojo in Aizu, Shiba Atsuko and her brother Shiba Ibuka spar with each other until Ibuka gained an upper hand and bests his sister. Although irritated, Atsuko calms down after she realizes she is still young and learning at sixteen. She is still elated that her brother still trains her despite going against the usual gender roles. While talking, both siblings were interrupted by their father Shiba Tanomo, who asks who won their match. Impressed by his kids, Tanomo claims that Ibuka will make a great samurai while Atsuko knows that the upper class is gaining more influence over the Emperor than the current samurais.

Atsuko also realizes how she and other girls do not share anything in common. During a spring national festival, Atsuko remembers how one of the other girls, Yasuhime, made fun of her head injury, another girl fell laughing at her, and one girl asked if her brother was still single. Although there were female samurai, their presence are no longer welcome in the current era. Meanwhile, Tanomo tells his children that they are invited to Matsudaira Katamori's home. Their father tells him that the daimyo may expects to have a new hatamoto, a personal guard. Excited, Ibuka is warned not to make a fool of himself as their standing to the officials wavers. Atsuko is told that she is invited as well but to wear her last dress from the festival and not for her skill. However, not wanting to be a wife to some imperial, Atsuko tries to tell her father what she wants but he stops her and suggests that she wanted a new dress. Sullen and near to tears, she accepts the gift.

Chapter 2

During the summer of 1868 in Edo, the heatwave affects the residents, who cautiously refresh themselves by the Sumida river. However, during the heatwave in Nagasaki, two British soldiers dock there after months at sea. The following night, they are found dead. This event disturbs the uneven peace between the Japanese and the British while the Templar Order sends William Lloyd as the right hand for the British consul Harry Parkes. However, Lloyd states the investigation will end with no justice and that they should send a message. Parkes reluctantly claims that the Japanese accepted aid already from the French Army and already chose a side and that the Tokugawa shogunate really runs Japan.

Wielding his own katana, Lloyd calmly surmises that the Emperor and Japan signed a deal to protect the British soldiers and that they need compensation. Parkes asks how they do that while Lloyd states that they must instigate a disconnect between the Emperor and the shogun. Although Parkes states that the Emperor is young, Lloyd claims many clans are also against the shogun and ready to support the Emperor, along with Queen Victoria's support. Parkes halts at the thought of war but Lloyd explains they will never start a war but may push the shogun to think twice.

Elsewhere, Tokugawa Yoshinobu welcomes French captain Jules Brunet into his home in Edo as to discuss Parkes' demands of Nagasaki's governor's resignation and his request for five hundred soldiers to guard the foreign sector or it's an act of war otherwise. Brunet states that his brotherhood will protect you and wants the power to stay with the shogun and the people and not an isolated Emperor. Tokugawa remains wary of the Assassins but also states that Parkes spoke already with Emperor Meiji with their own version of events. Cornered, Tokugawa has to concede and face a public apology as well as have the city's governor resign.

Brunet asks him not to do so as to make sure Tokugawa is not seen as self-preserving. However, the shogun almost engages Brunet in combat for the comment. However, Brunet notices there are not alone and goes outside to deal with the eavesdropper. However, the man escapes while Brunet tells Tokugawa of being spied on by a "shinobi. Brunet tells him that he is leaving while the shogun asks who sent the spy. Brunet theorizes it may be the British keeping tabs or someone else entirely. Nevertheless, before leaving, Brunet reassures the shogun that the French Army here has his support, which provides little comfort to him.

Chapter 3

A glum Atsuko and her brother Ibuka ready themselves for Katamori while their father bought a prized cow from farmer Kokan. Going over the hills, the siblings challenged each other in a race to arrive at Kokan to pay him. Racing with their katanas, Atsuko beats her brother by six seconds while Ibuka catches up and congratulates her. Rising up, they meet with Kokan, who waited patiently for them. While giving Kokan the payment, the siblings are told that it was the first part of a debt Kokan owes to their father. Intrigued, the siblings want to know more but Kokan states it is their father's interest to tell them the story. While walking home with their cow, a skinny bandit appears in front of them.

Wanting to pass, the siblings encounter more bandits, who come out from their hiding places. Unsheathing their katanas, Atsuko and Ibuka stand back-to-back while the bandit leader offers their lives and purses for exchange for the cow. However, his fellow bandits want Atsuko, but the leader tells them a cow is enough. While Atsuko sweats, she sees that her brother has gone silent. She looks over and sees Ibuka trembling and soiling his pants. Disgusted, she states they can take him. However, Ibuka states they should give the cow. Atsuko rebutes the offer, which leads the leader to change his mind in terms of mercy.

Atsuko, done with life being against her own desires, attacks and kills the bandit leader with tsuki to his throat. Changing her stance, she kills the brigand with the naginata swiftly. A bandit with a lance comes after her but she disarms and kills him with a strike to the head. The remaining two bandits flee while she falls on top of the nearly beheaded bandit she killed. After she throws up, she still sees Ibuka in a state of shock. Trying to snap him out of it, she sees him drop his katana before he wakes up. Insulting Ibuka for his cowardice, Atsuko orders him to grab the cow. While journeying home, she shudders at the corpses while too ashamed to look at her brother.

Chapter 4

Samurai Matsuo rides with his weathered katana into Edo and is respected for his current status as a ronin, a samurai with no master. Critical of the current Emperor, Matsuo later finds himself in a hovel and meets with Issa as they discuss what the Assassins were going to do after Yoshinubu conceded to Parkes' demands and later resigned. Although Issa is hopeful for the Yoshinubu to stage a coup, Matsuo states his influence has dwindled. Issa heavily suggests to attack the British influence over the Imperial court while Matsuo was reluctantly convinced to attack. However, Issa left after stating his desire to kill Parkes.

Meanwhile, Parkes, struggling with insomnia, goes about his day at his consul office. While in his corridor, he notices two soldiers unresponsive to his orders. With his gun, he inspects them closer and asks if someone was there. Immediately, William Lloyd saves Parkes as they avoid projectiles thrown at them. Lloyd confronts their attacker Issa, who states he does not want to kill Lloyd. However, they fought each other's attacks only for Lloyd to be poisoned by a nerve agent. Unsteady, Lloyd staggers while Issa uses a candlelight to glare his opponents. However, Issa fails to see Lloyd swing his katana and dismember his hand. With a slice to the stomach, Issa falls backward and plays dead. Although Lloyd believes the ninja dead, Parkes does not as he readies his gun. In a last ditch attempt, Issa tries to kill Lloyd but Parkes fires his gun at Issa's head and instantly kills him.

Chapter 5

Atsuko and Ibuka are walking back while Atsuko confronts Ibuka for his cowardice from earlier. Ibuka begs and convinces Atsuko not to tell anyone to save their father's reputation. Atsuko agrees. Two months later, she feels animosity while he still receives praise for his skill and his new rank as a daimyo. Surprisingly, Atsuko is glad to see less of her brother and keeps her mouth quiet about Ibuka's incident. However, rumors spread of a greater threat of war. One night, their father Tanomo reveals that the Emperor betrayed the shogun and how Mutsuhito broke the authority of the regional daimyos, which is grounds for war. He reveals that he and Ibuka will fight for the shogun and they leave in two days.

Tanomo states the Emperor will be aided by the Satsuma and the Shoshu clans. Ibuka interrupts the conversation and appears pale in white. Ibuka confirms the news of war with his father, who states he will experience greatness and honor at a young age. While Atsuko sees her brother in terror, their father states to Ibuka to oil his armor, pack a few provisions, and halt on any celebrations. Ibuka understands and replies in agreement. Passing by the jeweler Mikinosuke, Atsuko disguises herself as a man named Mori Tasuke and joins the ranks of other soldiers. At the base camp, Atsuko takes in the commotion, the fellow soldiers, and the unfortunate smell. Despite the consequences of being found, Atsuko revels in being part of the shogun's army. However, her anger against her brother has turned into worry due to him still being a child at war. She wants to be there and save her brother from anyone against him.

Chapter 6

Matsuo meets with Nakano Takeko, a young female martial arts and fellow Assassin, after Brunet expresses the war and how the Templars infiltrated the Imperial court. Takeko is assigned to safeguard a local daimyo Saigo Kayano and especially his katana, an authentic Musashi Masamune that was held by famous samurai Miyamoto Musashi. The Assassins are tasked to safeguard the sword as its symbolism would be fatal if wielded by the Imperial side. Takeko asks why they cannot take it themselves but the sword must lie with its current master for its symbol. With her new sense of duty, Takeko accepts her mission.

At her base camp, Atsuko keeps her disguise on well while suffering with the cleanliness issue of a lack of toilets. Despite seeing glimpses of her brother and father, Atsuko stays within the soldier encampment. However, the next day, she and Ibuka catch each other and Atsuko tries to walk away. However, Ibuka orders her to aid her and walk besides her with his crates. Alone, Ibuka questions why she came but Atsuko states she will not wait and she feels free being here. Although Ibuka orders her here, Atsuko states she must protect her coward of a brother from the real fight. Ibuka rebutes and orders her home. Atsuko responds that she will reveal herself and what happened on the hills and no matter what, a seed of doubt will be with him. Bested, Ibuka lets her stay and feels a little relieved.

Nearby, Takeko notices both the samurai and soldier talking to one another for fifteen minutes but cannot hear them. Although she heard of Ibuka, the other soldier has something she could not make out. Believing them to be Templars, Takeko keeps a watchful eye on the soldier.

Chapter 7

Nine ronins paid by the Templars meet with William Lloyd to strike and kill local daimyo Kayano. Saizu asks how many men they had while Lloyd responds with forty-five. Lloyd states that most of his men are peasants who lack armor and skill. Nobusuke is enticed by the prospect of causing mayhem while Lloyd reminds them they are paid already unless they are uncapable. Masajiro agrees and states he, Yoshisada, and the other seven are in, too. However, he asks Lloyd about the significance of Kayano's sword thus Lloyd reluctantly tells them of it possibly being a Masmune. All the ronin stand upright as greed fills them up with excitment. However, Lloyd states he will accompany them. The samurai, despite being watched, are more than confident to succeed in their mission.

Meanwhile, Takeko asks about Tasuke's family and life but is met by the sergeant's remarks of Tasuke being discreet. To cover her tracks, Takeko fakes that she is interested in him, which surprises the sergeant aloud. Takeko asks him why, which leads the sergeant to leave the conversation. Takeko keeps spying on Tasuke into the night. About to give up, she spots Tasuke leaving and going into the forest alone. In the shadows, Takeko finds Tasuke relieving themselves and sees the truth. However, she trips back and reveals herself to Tasuke, who attacks with her yari. Blocking every attack, Takeko states she does not want to hurt her. Kicking Tasuke in the groin, Takeko puts her naginata to her throat and pleads her to stop.

Sheathing their weapons, Atsuko reveals herself and states she is the sister of Ibuka under Takeko's questioning. Takeko compliments her techinques with various weapons, her knack for disguises and deception, and her temperant in combat. Despite Atsuko being caught, Takeko offers Atsuko a place to work for her.

Chapter 8

Kayano is known as a descendant of a once powerful clan, but due to times of his family being bested of warlords and Kayano's current habits, the daimyo's status is quite low. Upon the call of war, Kayano grows impatient and loses fourteen pounds and wants the war won already. However, he readies himself to entice when one of his bodyguards states Lady Takeko is coming. Takeko bows upon her entrance and informs him about an attack coming at him and for his sword. Not giving too much away, Lady Takeko state she will do her best to protect. Laying back in a recline, Kayano's worries begin to dwindle. Takeko states her own men will be here as well while she introduces Tasuke as her lieutenant. In reality, Atsuko, who has been training under Takeko and even bested her while in combat with a bokken.

Takeko tasks Atsuko with being in the field herself and keep her disguise in front of samurai and not regular soldiers. Takeko informs Kayano of Tasuke's abilities and how they are taking necessary precautions. At a camp nearby, Atsuko spots her brother, who has been worried for her. Although angry, Ibuka understand the dilemma of her being placed at Kayano's disposal. He soon sees Lady Takeko watching them and he bows to her. Ibuka soon offers himself to be placed as a bodyguard to Kayano and Takeko agrees if he receives his daimyo's permission. While he leaves, Atsuko, almost blowing her cover, chases after her brother, who tells her it would be good to be together and safe from harm. Meanwhile, the nine samurai are close to their base.

Chapter 9

The next day, soldiers began their patrols and continue to build fortifications into the night. However, with the soldiers arguing and tired, the nine samurai led by Lloyd arrive and tell them to find the katana and get out as quickly as they can. Behind them, twenty free soldiers have joined them for money and food. Passing the soldiers in the middle encampment, they make it to the officers' tents and take out two guards. Chaos breaks out as Lloyd and his samurai move forward.

Meanwhile, Takeko tells Atsuko that she does not want more unwanted attention on themselves. While Atsuko was doing chores around the camp, the nine samurai attack while Atsuko luckily dodges a swing from one of their swords. Atsuko readies her yari and heads toward Kayano's tent, where the samurai are easily killing the bodyguards. She meets head-to-head with Yoshisada, who puts himself in jodan, an aggressive defense stance. While fighting, Atsuko falls back while Yoshisade rips her tunic open. He sees that it is a girl he's fighting and Atsuko uses the moment to strike at his shin. Falling back, Yoshisada is struck again in the chest until Atsuko ends his life. Readjusting herself, she covers herself and takes Yoshisada's katana towards the real battle.

In the daimyo's tent, Ibuka joins mealtime with the daimyo's men and grows uncomfortable from their teasing. However, this ends once fighting is heard outside. One of the daimyo's samurai checks and is killed instantly. Breaking through his shock, Ibuka sees the bodyguards fall while he calls out anyone to kill him first to get to the daimyo. Nobusuke enters the tent and challenges the young Ibuka.

Chapter 10

Atsuko runs through the chaos among Kayano's camp and makes her way to his tent. There, she sees her mentor Takeko fighting two samurai Saizu and Masajiro. Attempting to attack Masijiro, she is pushed back as he easily blocks her attack. Masijiro easily sees through Atsuko's disguise while he fights her while Saizu versus Takeko. Saizu blocks every one of Takeko's attack but fails to land a hit himself. Atsuko and Masijiro are in a deadlock until she pushes him back. However, breathless from killing Yoshisada and running, Atsuko almost loses concentration as Masijiro almost kills her.

Meanwhile, Nobusuke easily kills Kayano's men and faces Kayano, who offers anything to stay alive. When wanting the Masume, he gives it only to die from Lloyd splitting his head. Looking around, Lloyd sees Ibuka curled up and tells Nobusuke to deal with it as he takes Masume. Disgusted, Nobusuke holds Ibuka up and kicks him back out of the tent. Outside, Masijiro begins to critique her until he falls forward from Ibuka being tossed out of the tent onto him. Losing his sword, Masijiro sees Atsuko about to kill him but she finds an opportunity and lands a fatal blow on Saizu. Alone, Masijiro thanks Atsuko for sparing him while escaping the fight on his horse.

While Takeko and Atsuko face off against Nobusuke, Lloyd tries to escape with the sword, regardless of his losses. Nobusuke loses the fight quickly by the two women. However, Lloyd is stopped by Ibuka and tries to kill him. Ibuka blocks his attacks and Lloyd realizes he is nearly surrounded. Trying to escape, Lloyd is jumped on by Atsuko, but manages to toss her off. Escaping into the woods, he feels elated that his mission was a success. Yet, he feels and sees that the Masume is gone. Ibuka wakes up from the fight and finds his sister all bloody and exhausted. Giving him the Masume, they are soon surrounded by Katamori and his men. Under his questioning, Katamori asks what has happened. Before he could speak, soldiers shout out how he faced Lloyd but mistaken the samurais' death was his actions too.

Ibuka asks for his punishment for failing to protect Kayano. However, Katamori sees the bodies around him and relays that his opponents were far greater and he survived and won back the Masume greatly. While Ibuka is taken for celebration and mourning Kayano, Atsuko and Takeko grow enraged from what transpired in front of them.

Chapter 11

The Emperor looks at his map and notices how his masses underweigh the Tokugawa's armies. Parkes tells him that size is not the most important part in their war as they possess modern technology of machine guns and cannons. They all know that the time of the samurai was near its end and that it was no match against their guns. Meanwhile, Lloyd arrives back at his lodgings at Edo Castle and ready to shower. However, a guard tells him that there is a visitor for him. Annoyed, he receives a shadowy figure from the Templars and is reprimanded for losing the Masume. Insulted, Lloyd keeps his emotions stable and asks what to do next. The Templar tells him to win the war and crush Tokugawa's forces.

Atsuko, posing again as Tasuke, is riddled with questions about her whereabouts and if she saw Ibuka fight. When she tells the truth of killing two samurai, the other soldiers laugh. Despite the chaos, the army keeps moving. The Masume is kept in Katamori's possession, where security and protection are not matters of concern. During her free time, she practices with Takeko and starts to practice their flexibility. One moment, Takeko asks Atsuko of what she thought of her brother but Atsuko is silent. Atsuko tries to backtrack but Takeko notices that Ibuka is a coward as well. Atsuko asks why she even asked while Takeko responds she wants to understand what motivates Atsuko and how to use her properly.

Atsuko replies that she feels offended to be used as a tool but Takeko explains they are all tools and know little. However, Takeko states that they all work to better the lives of the people of Japan. She also states that Ibuka is now seen as a demi-god over the actions he took credit for, but it leads to jealousy from his fellow soldiers. Thus, Takeko tasks Atsuko to be near her brother and watch him by any means to disguise herself.

Chapter 12

Atsuko ponders how to leave her place in the march and conjures up a lie to tell her sergeant. She tells him that Lady Takeko asked to see her over the death of Kayano. Stuck in a hard place, the sergeant orders to finish her task quickly as possible. Meeting up with Takeko, Atsuko surprises the lady, who asks what she is doing. Atsuko states she passes the mission. Confused, Takeko puts on a smile and congratulates her on not needing a disguise. Looking around, both women find Ibuka in a middle of a group laughing. However, a brute samurai pushes his way through to Ibuka. The samurai Uesegi appears ravaged by war wounds and smallpox as he pushes Ibuka again. Takeko explains that Uesegi was once favored by Katamori, but ever since Ibuka's accomplishments, he is now rendered to the shadows.

Takeko states that although Ibuka has not given in yet, seeds of doubt may be planted due to lack of response. However, she implies if Atsuko would act and get rid of Uesegi, two problems would be solves. Nevertheless, Takeko tasks her with a secret mission for her and her brother. Alone with Atsuko and Ibuka, Takeko blackmails Ibuka with the truth and an attached duel if he does not help with her mission. Motionless, Ibuka asks what to do. Takeko, glad of compliance, tasks Atsuko to take a riddled bottle to the well of Fushimi village, where the enemy may be located. Ibuka is to provide an escort, which annoys him. Atsuko asks why they are chosen while Takeko replies that most scouts are loyal to the daimyo while they are loyal to her. Takeko states that she knows one of them is capable of fighting.

Angry with her teasing her brother, Atsuko states that they will do it but asks to stop her bullying and how she knows what low regards she holds of them. Takeko retorts that she holds Atsuko in very high regards and if the mission goes well, she may offer a proposition to her.

Chapter 13

Atsuko and Ibuka wear peddler's attire while Takeko explains the disguises is not to attract unwanted attention. Covered in bugs, urine, rain and manure, both siblings move as they discuss their differing opinions on how cowardice affects Ibuka's life. After some time, they arrive in Fushimi and a local villager named Madoka shouts out the siblings are merchants. The people start to buy their wares while the siblings move towards the square, where the village chief offers them soup. The chief offers them to stay for a wedding between Madoka and her attended Keitaro in two days. Although reluctant to stay, they agree while the village chief and the village's blacksmith Haku offers his place for them to stay.

Meeting the villagers in jokes and stories, the siblings stay the night at Haku's, while Atsuko notice the freedom they all hold in their meager lives. The night comes while Haku tends to his visitors. When he goes to sleep, Ibuka tells Atsuko to go to the well. Atsuko replies that she will not go through with it as she is not going to kill innocents with poisoned water in order to kill the enemy. Ibuka rebukes and questions whether it would be better to kill hundreds to save thousands. However, Atsuko states she would not live with herself and states she will deal with the aftermath. Ibuka relents and states he will abide. Together, they sleep besides each other like they did in their childhood.

Chapter 14

TBC

Continuity

The novel features several historical inaccuracies, such as Jules Brunet claiming to serve the Third French Republic while it was founded in 1870, or the beheading of Matsudaira Katamori during the Battle of Aizu while he was known to have died twenty-five years later in 1893.

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