The core gameplay of Assassin’s Creed Shadows revolves around carrying out various assassinations. After you complete the prologue, you’ll need to hunt down a significant group known as Shinbakufu, along with several side factions that can be targeted through specific side quests at designated locations.
One such side quest is the Pirate Alliance, which becomes available once you arrive in the Wakasa region. Completing this quest not only furthers the storyline but also rewards you with a unique key to unlock a legendary treasure chest somewhere on the map.
How to Start the Pirate Alliance Quest
If you haven’t begun the Pirate Alliance quest yet, you should go to the northernmost edge of the Wakasa region, specifically at a site known as Sotome Gate. Close to the beach, there’s a city called Tsuruga. To find the quest marker, head north past the bridge near the Tsuruga Tower viewpoint and look for a notice board.
You can also initiate this quest by continuing with the main storyline where you’ll encounter a Biwa Master who will provide you with the quest. Alternatively, if you’re pursuing The Performer, you’ll come across a list of all the pirates, although their locations will already be marked if you start from the notice board.
Where to Find Kage
The first target you should pursue in this quest is Kage, who is believed to be located to the west of Obama port. When you zoom in 1x on your map, you’ll see Obama city slightly to the left of where Wakasa is indicated. Make your way to the western port, where you will find a boat at your disposal.
Navigate this boat westward, passing the tip of a nearby island, and you will spot Kage’s ships in the open water. There are three ships present, and stealth may be challenging, so it’s advisable to take Yasuke with you to engage in combat with everyone, including Kage.
Where to Find Lopo Cruz
Lopo Cruz is another pirate you need to track down as part of the Pirate Alliance quest. He resides on a secluded island located to the north of Shattered Coast, specifically at the Nariu’s Lair along the western edge, situated between another island and the mainland. To reach him, you can begin from the western mainland or take a boat directly to the center of the area.
If you start from the mainland, you’ll have to fight numerous pirates along the way. On the other hand, if you hop on a boat to the middle, you’ll easily come across Lopo Cruz, who is anchored on a small boat. You can board this vessel and take him out, concluding this segment of the quest.
Where to Find Little Kappa
You can find Little Kappa in central Shattered Coast at a place called Maizuru’s Lair. Zoom into your map at 3x to locate this area just to the right of where “Coast” is indicated. Once there, you’ll need to eliminate a few guards before confronting Little Kappa, who has an impressive eight health bars. You can lure him out of the camp through the southern exit and sneak in. Use a Kunai to draw him out and then take him out with an explosive barrel when he gets close.
Where to Find Sen and What to Do With Him
After taking down the other three pirates, you’ll discover that Sen is located in Yura Fishing Village, which is near the sea at the northeastern part of Tamba. You can access it by navigating northwest then northeast through the river from the Fukuchiyama area in northern Tamba.
Yura Fishing Village is calm and peaceful, making it easy to find Sen and interact with him. You will have the choice to either spare him or take his life. Regardless of your choice, the outcome and rewards will remain unchanged, as you won’t reference Sen to the quest-giver at the conclusion.
However, choosing to spare Sen means you won’t receive the purple-tier weapon from this quest, but you will still get all other rewards.
Given that you’re already in Wakasa, you likely have better legendary weapons and don’t require a purple-tier item.
How to Continue the Pirate Alliance Quest
After you defeat all four pirates in the Pirate Alliance quest, the objective menu will simply prompt you to progress through the storyline without granting rewards. To move forward with this quest, you’ll need to complete a couple of tasks:
- Conclude the questline to recruit Oni-Yuri, which begins in the same location as the Pirate Alliance quest and is titled “Sweet Lies.”
- Continue the main story in Wakasa until you achieve the assassination of The Fox, also known as The Performer or Takeda Motoaki. During this, you’ll also eliminate another pirate named Samemaru with Yasuke.
Once you finish both of these tasks and take out the other pirates mentioned above, you can return to the Biwa Master at Saifukuji Temple located on the northwestern edge of Wakasa to complete the quest and collect your rewards.
Where to Use the Key
Upon completion of the Pirate Alliance quest by speaking with the Biwa Master, you’ll receive a special key capable of opening a specific chest on the map. This chest can be found on the western side of the Shattered Coast area, where a river runs between two islands and makes a slight northern turn.
The quickest route to reach this location is to return to Yura Fishing Village and board one of the boats available. Navigate to the middle of the two large islands until you reach the gap. As you approach the northern part of this river, another Biwa player will be waiting for you.
The NPC will depart as soon as you arrive, but you can find the chest located inside the cave behind him.
Venture into the cave and dive into the water, where you can swim underneath the spikes. On the other side, you’ll find a legendary chest containing a legendary trinket for Yasuke, which is part of the quest reward.
