Alright, folks, gather 'round because we're about to talk about the ultimate game of hide-and-seek with a deadly twist. In the Assassin's Creed Shadows Claws of Awaji DLC, players face off against Kimura Yukari's personal ninja nightmare, Nowaki. This masked sharpshooter isn't just your average run-of-the-mill baddie; she's the final boss-level threat that'll have you sweating bullets—literally. After that gut-wrenching moment where you're forced to hand over the Imperial Regalia Kusanagi no Tsurugi, it's time for some payback. While you can tackle three subordinate leaders, taking down Nowaki is, hands down, the most unique and hair-pullingly difficult fight in the entire game. Buckle up, because this guide is your golden ticket to sending this stealthy sniper packing.

Turning the Tables: The Setup 🎯

So, you've completed the prerequisite side quests—Origin of a Killer, Hunting the Hunter, and Home of a Killer. Good on ya! Now, Naoe is led to the Sannomiya Shrine for the main event. This isn't just a random brawl; it's a calculated confrontation. Nowaki is there paying her respects to her late Templar sister, Suma, which adds a layer of, well, awkward tension to the whole affair. The Sannomiya Shrine is located just south of the Sannomiya Lookout viewpoint. Your first move? Patiently wait at a rock near one of the shrine's structures. Yeah, it's a bit anticlimactic at first, but trust me, the drama kicks in soon enough.

Using Suma's Templar pendant as bait (talk about adding insult to injury), Naoe lures Nowaki out. But hold your horses—this isn't where the fight starts. Oh no, Nowaki leads Naoe on a little stroll down a shadowy path to a specially prepared forest arena northeast of the lookout. Along the way, she'll taunt you from the shadows like a ghost with a serious attitude problem. But here's your lifeline: you can track her by her voice. When you're looking in the right direction, a blue outline appears on-screen. It's like playing a deadly version of 'Marco Polo'.

Nowaki's Bag of Dirty Tricks: Abilities & Arena

Before you step into the arena, for the love of all that is holy, refill your tools and rations. I cannot stress this enough. Nowaki's Teppo (that's a fancy old-school rifle, for the uninitiated) is no joke. A single shot can wipe out about 75% of your health bar. And if that wasn't enough of a party foul, it also inflicts a temporary poison effect. I learned this the hard way—let's just say I saw the 'Game Over' screen more times than I'd care to admit.

Once you're in the arena, the real fun begins. Nowaki fires a single shot and then—poof!—she teleports to a random spot. She's a fan of high ground, often perching on the arena walls like a creepy, masked eagle. But wait, there's more! She's turned the place into a death trap filled with:

• Decoys that look exactly like her (because why make it easy?)

• Bell traps and explosive wires that will alert her to your position if tripped

Trip a wire, and she'll immediately take a shot and relocate. It's like she's playing a tactical game of Whack-a-Mole, and you're the mole.

The Hunt: How to Track and Take Her Down 🕵️♀️

Throughout the battle, Nowaki will occasionally taunt you, which is your cue to locate her. However, fair warning: this boss fight can be a bit glitchy. In my first attempt, she was quieter than a library mouse the whole time. No matter—you've got other ways to find her:

• Look for the blue outlines when she speaks

• Wait for her to notice you (she'll give away her position)

• Use Eagle Vision and crawl slowly near decoys—the real Nowaki will show up red

Here's the kicker: you need to assassinate Nowaki five times to defeat her. But here's the catch—if you try to assassinate a decoy, it will explode in a cloud of poison, and the real Nowaki will teleport away. Talk about a party foul!

My pro-tip? Slow and steady wins the race. Crawl through the arena, disarm tripwires, and carefully identify each decoy. It's tedious, but it beats getting poisoned for the umpteenth time. After you assassinate her twice, you can hit her from afar with kunai. Before that, she'll just dodge and teleport. After the fourth assassination, she teleports to the top of the central tower. This is your chance for a final, face-to-face duel. Climb up and finish the job.

The Reward: Little Helper 🔫

Once you finally defeat Nowaki, you'll earn her Legendary Teppo, Little Helper, for Yasuke to use. This bad boy causes bullets to build up 35% poison affliction on enemies. It's the perfect tool for turning the tables on future foes. So, was the struggle worth it? Absolutely. Now go enjoy your new toy, you've earned it!

As detailed in Game Informer, the Assassin's Creed franchise is renowned for its challenging boss encounters and innovative stealth mechanics, both of which are on full display in the Shadows DLC. Game Informer's editorial team often emphasizes how these high-stakes battles, like the Nowaki fight, push players to master environmental awareness and tool management, reinforcing the series' legacy of rewarding strategic thinking and patience.