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Yasuke’s motives remain vastly blurry in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, which compels us to ponder whether he can actually be a Templar instead.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows is full of controversies and speculation surrounding Yasuke, one of the dual protagonists that the game features. Naoe, the other protagonist, is clearly a Shinobi whose connections to the Assassin order seem fairly obvious and clear. On the other side, Yasuke’s role remains shrouded in mystery. To that extent, his allegiance becomes questionable, since he is an Assassin ally and not an Assassin himself.
That brings us to a question that you might have overlooked till now: Could Yasuke actually be a Templar? Members of the Templar Order fighting alongside the Assassins isn’t a foreign concept. While this theory is controversial, it holds some intriguing weight when we look at all the other details available.
Yasuke’s Templar Affiliation in Assassin’s Creed Shadows
One of the key aspects of Yasuke’s probable Templar association is his portrayal as a warrior who prefers frontal assaults. This greatly contradicts the natural Assassin style, where stealth and agility are preferred. This might seem like a contradiction if you have played any of AC Origins, Odyssey, or Valhalla. It is important to remember that all these games were set on a premise where the “Assassins” were not a solid concept. Sure, The Hidden Ones did exist, but their traditional methods were not set in stone yet.
Combat style and flair aside, “motive” is a key factor for all Assassins. Yasuke’s motives are unclear, and all we know is that his alignment with Naoe exists for a shared common goal. This does not necessarily equate to shared common ideologies or beliefs. This trait itself can be a crucial indicator of a hidden agenda, quite possibly related to the Templar Order. Yasuke might simply be using Naoe in Assassin’s Creed Shadows to achieve his personal goals, which might ultimately serve the greater Templar cause.
Finally, a rather chilling visual detail to support this theory is an armor that Yasuke dons, bearing the reminiscent Templar Cross symbol. The Destroyer Samurai Armor, specific to Yasuke, bears this intriguing hint, which immediately puts a lot of weight on supporting the argument. Although this could easily be a special armor available to Yasuke, it seems too deliberate to dismiss the Templar relation entirely.
It should also be noted that this armor has a big scratch/slash across the Templar mark, which could also indicate a new concept or faction entirely. Assassin’s Creed is known for its intricate details, and this visual cue might hint at a potential plot twist later on in AC Shadows.
Assassin-Templar Alliance: We’ve Seen It Before
The Assassin’s Creed universe is not all black and white. Alliances, betrayals, and surprises often operate in shades of gray. Templars and Assassins working together is not a new concept either, and we have seen it in games before. One of the earliest instances of an Assassin-Templar alliance was between Connor Kenway and Templar Grandmaster Haytham Kenyway, who teamed up for a brief time. Although this was merely out of necessity, the implications were massive.
A more prominent example would be Elise de la Serre and Arno Dorian from Assassin’s Creed Unity. Elise was the daughter of a Templar Grandmaster and a Templar herself. Despite this, she had a complex alliance with the Assassin, although it ended up rather tragically. Their shared goal of uncovering a conspiracy forced them to look beyond their respective Order’s doctrines.
This setting itself justifies Yasuke being a Templar working with Naoe to set up some grand Templar plan. There could be many possibilities here, where Yasuke could be undercover to infiltrate the Shinobi-Assassin order. Or, he could also have his personal goals to perhaps overthrow Oda Nobunaga to lay the base for Templar rule in Japan.
Can Yasuke Actually Be a Templar in Assassin’s Creed Shadows: The Final Verdict
Whether Yasuke is indeed a Templar in Assassin’s Creed Shadows remains to be seen. That said, there is much evidence that hints at his possible affiliation with the antagonists. Yasuke’s fighting style, his “Templar armor,” and the lack of a clear motive all point to a late-game plot twist. Since Assassins and Templars can ally and have done so in the past, the idea cannot be entirely ignored.
This conspiracy theory automatically adds another layer of complexity to Assassin’s Creed Shadows. To that extent, you need to put a considerable amount of effort into choosing your allegiances in the game. Only time will tell whether Yasuke’s path leads to an Assassin-centered outcome or whether he is in cohorts to create a Japanese Templar Haven.
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