In Rise of the Rōnin, Akikatsu Manabe evolves from an initial foe to a crucial ally. This shift marks a distinctive scenario where a previous rival aligns with your objectives.

Acquiring him necessitates specific decisions in Chapter 1, establishing him as a particularly intricate character to recruit.

Recruiting Akikatsu Manabe

Securing his allegiance requires completing both the “Wildfire” quest and subsequent “The Watchman” Bond Mission. A pivotal narrative choice during “The Sakurada Gate Incident” dictates his availability—sparing Naosuke Li becomes essential for future cooperation.

Armaments and Tactics

Wielding a katana paired with electrified projectiles, his secondary blades paralyze targets—blending offensive strikes with area denial through conductive immobilization.

Silent Movement Enhancement

The “Hidden Menace” passive ability substantially dampens audio cues from movement, optimizing infiltration efficiency for players favoring subterfuge over direct engagements.

Martial Arts Instruction

Through training sessions, he imparts knowledge of the “Gikei-ryu” discipline—a shinobi-centric sword style emphasizing covert tactics and calculated precision strikes.

Progression Incentives

Strengthening bonds unlocks the ceremonial “Kneeling Vow” animation at tier three, while maximum affinity grants agility-enhancing skill points to refine physical prowess.

Tactical Implementation

Leverage his skills in scenarios requiring undetected navigation or strategic target elimination. The character synergizes exceptionally with stealth-oriented playstyles, enabling surgical approaches to mission objectives.