In 1560, in the province of Iga, the birthplace of ninjutsu in feudal Japan, a secret war rages between the Templar Order and the Assassin Brotherhood. This conflict serves as the backdrop for the original manga story that predates the events of the Assassin’s Creed Shadows video game.

The narrative centers on Masayasu, the son of a village lord who lives a peaceful life until a band of warriors attacks his home. Despite his strength, he is unable to save everyone and is himself rescued at the last moment by Hattori Hanzo, an apprentice shinobi. Inspired by Hanzo’s skill and driven by a desire to protect those he cares about, Masayasu decides to become a shinobi. After proving his worth, he begins his intense training under the legendary ninjutsu master Momochi Sandayu.

Before long, Masayasu is given his first major mission: to prevent the Templars from stealing the imperial regalia of Japan, a scheme that would allow them to exert control over the country. To succeed, he must team up with his savior, Hanzo, and a mysterious and highly skilled young female shinobi named Tsuyu, who is a member of the Assassin Brotherhood, the League of the Hidden Blade. Together, this unlikely trio must navigate their own rivalries and differences while fighting against the Templars’ growing influence across Japan. The story also features other historical and legendary figures of the era, such as the renowned shinobi Hattori Hanzo and Momochi Sandayu, as they fight for justice, living in the darkness but serving the light.