Progressing through the intricate web of the Onryo board in Assassin's Creed Shadows eventually leads players to the Stolen Faith main quest. This mission is pivotal for Naoe’s journey as she seeks to build an alliance capable of toppling the fortified positions of the Shin Bakufu. The central figure in this quest is Mitsumune, a leader of local forces whose support is non-negotiable for the upcoming assault on Amagasaki Castle. However, locating him requires navigating the rugged terrain of Izumi Settsu, a region filled with verticality and hidden camps that can easily disorient a shinobi or a samurai who isn't paying close attention to the environment.

Reaching the Izumi Settsu Region

Before the specific objective to find Mitsumune triggers, you must have progressed far enough in the story to unlock the western portions of the map. Mitsumune resides in the sub-region known as Nakayama Peak, situated within the broader province of Izumi Settsu. If you are starting from the bustling port of Sakai or the surrounding hinterlands, the journey north is long but essential.

The primary landmark for this stage of the journey is Amagasaki. The castle town serves as a major fast travel hub. It is highly recommended to synchronize the viewpoint at Amagasaki Castle before venturing further. Not only does this clear the fog of war, but it also reveals the river systems that act as natural guides to Mitsumune’s hiding spot. From Amagasaki, the path turns toward the mountains in the north-northeast. The terrain here transitions from flat coastal plains to steep, forested cliffs—the perfect hiding spot for a depleted militia.

Pinpointing Nunobiki Falls

Mitsumune isn't standing out in the open; he has established a temporary camp at Nunobiki Falls. While the game provides text clues—noting he is north of Amagasaki and within Izumi Settsu—the actual map marker for the falls might not appear until you are within a few hundred meters.

To reach the falls efficiently, follow the river that flows south into the Amagasaki region. Heading upstream is the most reliable navigation method. As you move north, you will pass through the Nakayama Peak area. Look for a large cleft in the mountainside where the water cascades down. This is Nunobiki Falls. The atmosphere here changes based on the dynamic weather system of Assassin's Creed Shadows; in summer, the lush greenery provides ample cover, while in winter, the frozen edges of the stream might limit your movement speed.

Once you arrive at the base of the waterfall, look for a small, makeshift camp on the western bank of the stream. Mitsumune is usually found crouched near a wooden basin, often engaged in the mundane task of washing clothes or tending to minor camp chores. His unassuming appearance belies his importance to the resistance. Approaching him triggers a cinematic where Naoe attempts to recruit his forces for the attack on Wada Koretake.

The Stolen Faith Conflict

Dialogue with Mitsumune reveals a grim reality. His men are demoralized and broken following relentless pressure from Oda Nobunaga’s forces. The catalyst for their current state of despair is the loss of a sacred relic: the Statue of Shinran. This statue represents the spiritual backbone of his militia. Mitsumune makes it clear that without the return of this icon, his men will not—and cannot—fight. They believe their luck has vanished along with the statue.

This conversation transitions the quest into its second phase: a recovery mission that takes you to the bandit-infested Senri Hills. This is where the tactical depth of Assassin's Creed Shadows truly shines, as you must decide how to approach a fortified post town with limited intel.

Locating the Statue in Toneyama Post Town

The bandits who raided Mitsumune’s camp have retreated to Toneyama Post Town. This location is situated east of Nunobiki Falls and north-northeast of the Senri Hills label on your map. It is a dense, multi-layered settlement that serves as a perfect playground for Naoe’s shinobi tools or Yasuke’s brute strength.

Navigating to Toneyama is straightforward if you head east from the falls, crossing the mountainous ridges. You will eventually look down upon a town nestled in a valley, heavily guarded and fortified with wooden barricades. The statue is kept in a central building, but simply charging in is often a recipe for disaster given the number of archers stationed on the surrounding rooftops.

Infiltration Strategies for Naoe

Playing as Naoe offers the most thematic experience for this mission. The density of Toneyama Post Town favors a vertical approach.

  1. Rooftop Navigation: Enter the town from the southern cliffs. Use your grappling hook to reach the thatched roofs immediately. From here, you can scout the entire perimeter. The bandits are scattered, but they have overlapping lines of sight. Use your 'Observe' skill (L2/LT) to highlight enemies in red and search for the blue glowing marker that indicates the statue's location.
  2. Night Operations: If you arrive during the day, consider meditating until nightfall. Darkness significantly reduces enemy detection ranges. Naoe can use the shadows to move between buildings, utilizing the 'Hidden Blade' for silent takedowns of isolated sentries.
  3. Environmental Distractions: There are several bells and alarm signals within Toneyama. Sabotaging these or using firecrackers to draw guards away from the central house is highly effective.

Combat Approach for Yasuke

If you prefer the direct path of the samurai, Yasuke provides the heavy-hitting capabilities needed to clear the town by force.

  1. The Front Gate: Yasuke can initiate the encounter at the main entrance. Using a kanabo or a heavy katana, he can break through guard stances. However, be wary of the mini-boss guarding the statue’s building. This elite bandit uses a long-reaching polearm and can't be easily staggered.
  2. Parry and Counter: The bandits in Senri Hills are more aggressive than those in earlier regions. Mastering the parry timing is crucial to managing groups. Once the numbers are thinned, focus on the central compound where the statue is housed.

Retrieving the Statue of Shinran

The statue is located inside a storage building on the northern side of the town’s central square. It is tucked away in a corner, often guarded by two bandits sitting near a fire and a third patrolling the interior.

Once you enter the building—either through the open western door or by dropping in from a ceiling hatch—locate the statue near a small shrine and a lootable chest. The chest often contains valuable gear, such as the Vigilant Katana of Bravery or Shrouded Shinobi Robes, depending on your current level and RNG. Picking up the statue triggers a new objective: return to Mitsumune.

Leaving Toneyama can be as difficult as entering it. If you have raised the alarm, expect reinforcements to block the main roads. It is often faster to climb the eastern walls and disappear into the Senri Hills woods rather than fighting your way back out through the front gate.

Concluding the Stolen Faith Quest

Travel back to Nunobiki Falls. The route is safer now that you’ve cleared the primary bandit threat in the area, but random patrols may still inhabit the mountain paths.

When you present the Statue of Shinran to Mitsumune, he expresses a mix of gratitude and shame. He feels that his failure to protect the statue makes him unworthy of leading his men back to the monks of Kyon Yo. In the resulting dialogue, he asks Naoe if she is truly ready for the violence that comes with the siege of Amagasaki.

You will be presented with a choice:

  • "I am ready": An assertive stance that reinforces Naoe’s resolve.
  • "I'm uncertain": A more reflective choice that acknowledges the weight of the coming conflict.

Regardless of your choice, the outcome remains functionally the same: Mitsumune is moved by your actions and pledges his militia to the cause. He instructs you to return the statue to Kyon Yo, serving as a token of their renewed alliance. This marks the completion of the Stolen Faith quest, awarding you approximately 1,000 XP and unlocking further steps in the hunt for Wada Koretake.

Strategic Importance of the Alliance

Finding Mitsumune and completing Stolen Faith is more than just a box-ticking exercise. This alliance directly impacts the difficulty of the next major story mission, "Heads Will Roll." With Mitsumune’s militia on your side, the outskirts of Amagasaki Castle will be embroiled in a diversionary conflict when you begin your infiltration. This draws away significant portions of the castle guard, making it much easier for Naoe to reach the inner sanctum or for Yasuke to breach the gates.

Furthermore, this mission introduces players to the recruit system. Successfully helping Mitsumune eventually leads to meeting Yaya, another key ally who can be sent on scout missions or used to upgrade your hideout’s capabilities.

Tactical Tips for the Izumi Settsu Wilderness

While the search for Mitsumune is the primary goal, the region of Izumi Settsu offers several secondary benefits that players should exploit while in the area:

  • Scout Missions: If you find the fog of war too thick around Nakayama Peak, use your scout units from the hideout menu. Assigning a scout to Izumi Settsu will reveal Nunobiki Falls and Toneyama Post Town instantly, saving you the trouble of manual exploration.
  • Resource Smuggling: The Senri Hills are rich in iron and cedar. After clearing the bandit camp, check the nearby mountain trails for resource caches. These are essential for upgrading Naoe’s kusanigama or Yasuke’s armor sets.
  • Weather Awareness: The visibility at Nunobiki Falls is significantly hampered during rainstorms. While this makes finding Mitsumune slightly harder, it provides the perfect cover for the Toneyama infiltration. Plan your arrival at the bandit camp to coincide with a storm if you are struggling with the guard density.

Finding Mitsumune is a test of a player’s ability to read the landscape and execute a precision strike against a superior force. By following the rivers of Amagasaki to the heights of Nakayama Peak and systematically dismantling the bandit presence in Senri Hills, you secure the future of the resistance and move one step closer to ending the Onryo's grip on Japan. Whether you prefer the silent path of the shinobi or the thundering strike of the samurai, the resolution of the Stolen Faith quest remains a high-water mark for the narrative and mechanical synergy in Assassin's Creed Shadows.