Assassin's Creed: Shadows – Tales of Iga Chapter 1
The first chapter of the manga Assassin's Creed: Shadows – Iga no Monogatari was written and illustrated by Legge.
Summary
Iga, 1560
The Spanish Assassin Alvaro Catarribera and his apprentice Tsuyu stand atop the hills overlooking Iga. Catarribera reminds Tsuyu of their mission entrusted to them by the since deceased Emperor Go-Nara. Catarribera commented on Iga and the well renowned Momochi Sandayu and Hattori Hanzō who hailed from there, he then tried making a joke about Tsuyu making friends with Hattori Hanzō from Iga who was around her age. Though Tsuyu remained ever-stoic and performed a Leap of Faith down the mountain.
Meanwhile, a young girl, Chiyo, is playing around with her farmer grandfather when their cart-pulling bull got a spook and made a beeline for Chiyo. Fujibayashi Masayasu suddenly appeared and stopped the charging bull with his own hands, surprising Chiyo's grandfather. Masayasu then got to work tending the fields when the village was attacked by a couple cruel samurai who had beheaded Buchiro, the son of one of the villagers and paraded his head. Masayasu fought one the samurai off, though the remaining proved tough. Hattori Hanzō then leapt down and killed the samurai engaged with Masayasu.
Masayasu, amazed at Hanzō's skill and recognizing him from his renown, begged the shinobi to train him. Feeling helpless he could not protect his village when they needed and that he froze up when blades were drawn on him. Though Hanzō refused, insulting him as an unskilled farmer. Telling him if he wanted to make his ancestor's proud he should just work for the local daimyō and that Masayasu wouldn't be cut out for shinobi work.
Momochi Sandayu then interrupts saying that he will oblige Masayasu's request. Masayasu does not know Sandayu, even after he introduces himself. Something that did not surprise Sandayu, as not many people outside of Iga clan even knew of his existence. Sandayu then went on to chastise Hanzō stating he did not care about status in order to become a shinobi. To prove his worth, Sandayu had Masayasu spar Hanzō. The Assassin Alvaro Catarribera also watched on from atop a tree, commenting to Sandayu. Although Hanzō had the upper hand, when he attacked Chiyo who had come to spectate, Masayasu used underhanded tactics to claim victory.
Masayasu later then said his goodbyes to the villagers, redressed himself and set off ready to train under Momochi Sandayu, and meets Tsuyu at the border of the village.
Characters in order of appearances
- Alvaro Catarribera
- Tsuyu
- Chiyo
- Chiyo's grandfather
- Fujibayashi Masayasu
- Buchiro (appears as a corpse only)
- Buchiro's mother
- Hattori Hanzō
- Momochi Sandayu