Why Do This Quest? 🎯
Nioh 3 has plenty of side quests that are easy to skip, but Follow the Soldier’s Shadow offers:
✓ Rare loot including smithing text
✓ Story context for NPCs and characters
✓ NPC ally (Yoshitsune) – no summon needed
✓ Bonus exploration – Hot Spring and Nurikabe Wall
💡 Pro tip: This quest teaches an important lesson – the “main path” isn’t always the right one. Sometimes it’s more efficient to find an alternate route.
How to Start the Quest 📍
Location: Funaokayama region (Heian Era)
Starting point: Progress south in Heian to reach Funaokayama.
Navigation to Yoshitsune
- Open map in Funaokayama
- Run west
- Find Minamoto no Yoshitsune along the path
- Speak with him to start quest
Yoshitsune dialogue:
- Informs you about a rampaging aratama nearby
- Says he might know her
- Needs your help to defeat her
- Joins you as NPC ally
You might be wondering: Do I need to summon an online player? No! Yoshitsune automatically joins, so you save your Ochoko Cups for harder fights later.
Correct Route – Don’t Take the Western Path ❌
After opening the map, you’ll see a path heading west leading directly to the temple in the middle of the search zone. Don’t take this path!
Why Avoid the Western Path?
| Problem | Detail |
|---|---|
| Cutting bamboo | Must slash through bamboo to proceed |
| Extra enemies | More enemies to clear |
| Locked door | Leads to door only openable from other side |
| Time waste | Unnecessary detour |
❌ Common mistake: Following the “logical” path on the map. In Nioh 3, shortest path ≠ best path always.
Optimal Route Walkthrough 🗺️
Phase 1: Choose the Right Path
Starting position: Where Yoshitsune gave the quest
What to do:
- Go straight down from Yoshitsune’s position
- You’ll face several standard enemies
- One-eyed cyclops Yokai – throws giant snowball down the path
- Avoid the snowball – can knock you back
⚠️ Warning: The cyclops snowball has wide radius and high knockback. Wait for his throw timing and dodge sideways.
Phase 2: Unlock Gate and Find Temple
After passing the cyclops section:
- Run west on the map
- Find the locked gate on your left
- Open it from this side (this is the “wrong way” door from the other side)
- Turn right
- Enter the temple ahead
💡 Pro tip: By going this direction, you unlock a shortcut for later traversal. Always open gates – it saves time.
Phase 3: Clear Enemy Base 🏯
Enemy Base breakdown:
| Info | Detail |
|---|---|
| Enemy count | 6 total |
| Difficulty | Low-Medium |
| Reward | Grubby Iron Key |
| Yoshitsune help | Yes, assists in clearing |
Clear strategy:
✓ Let Yoshitsune taunt some enemies
✓ Focus one enemy at a time
✓ Use NPC aggro for safe damage windows
✓ After clearing, automatically receive key
Phase 4: Yasha Boss Fight ⚔️
Boss: Yasha
Adds: Several weak Yokai enemies
Pre-fight preparation:
- Full elixirs
- Yoshitsune is with you (massive help)
- Clear mental space for boss mechanics
Winning strategy:
Priority targets:
- Weak Yokai adds – eliminate FIRST
- Yasha boss – focus after clearing adds
Why adds first?
✓ Yoshitsune keeps Yasha busy
✓ Adds can overwhelm when ignored
✓ Easier 1v1 with Yasha after clearing
✓ Less risk of fatal mistake
Yasha combat tips:
- Medium-range combat optimal
- Watch for grab attacks
- Ki pulse between combos
- Use Yoshitsune aggro for heavy damage
💡 Pro tip: As soon as the boss fight starts, immediately ignore Yasha and rush the adds. Yoshitsune can hold aggro long enough for you to clear the small Yokai.
Quest Rewards 🎁
After defeating Yasha, speak with Tomoe Gozen for completion:
Guaranteed rewards:
✓ Samurai Lock (key item)
✓ Smithing Text: Great Hachiryo Armor (Samurai)
✓ Experience points
✓ Amrita
Great Hachiryo Armor Smithing Text
What it unlocks:
- Crafting Great Hachiryo armor set
- Samurai-focused stats
- Mid-game viable gear
Build value:
- Solid for Samurai builds
- Good defense stats
- Set bonuses for melee combat
Bonus Secrets – Nurikabe Wall & Hot Spring 🌊
Inside enemy base area:
Nurikabe Wall location:
- In the enemy base arena
- Interact with it
- Go past it
Hot Spring:
- On the other side of Nurikabe Wall
- Full heal + buffs
- Alternative access via snowball path
💡 Pro tip: Always look for Nurikabe Walls – they often lead to valuables or shortcuts. This one specifically leads to a Hot Spring, which is a great heal point before the boss fight if needed.
FAQ
Q: What level should I be?
A: Level 59+ is recommended. The quest is in Funaokayama, which is early-mid Heian content.
Q: Can I do the quest without Yoshitsune?
A: No, he automatically joins as part of the quest. He’s an integral part.
Q: What if I skip the Hot Spring?
A: It’s not required for quest completion, but it’s a useful heal point for exploration.
Q: Is the Yasha fight hard?
A: Not with Yoshitsune. The boss alone would be challenging, but NPC help makes the fight manageable.
Q: Do I need to defeat the cyclops Yokai?
A: No, you can run past it. Just avoid the snowball and continue on your path.
Q: Can I access the Hot Spring without clearing the enemy base?
A: Yes, via the snowball path, but clearing the enemy base is required for quest progression anyway.
Q: What happens if I take the bamboo path by mistake?
A: You’ll waste time and resources clearing enemies and bamboo, only to reach a locked door. You’ll need to backtrack and take the correct route.
