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As Jin works his way through Ghost of Tsushima's second act, one of the quest-lines he will have to focus on centers around contacting the Shogun for reinforcements. Though there is technically no requirement for when he can begin, this guide recommends completing "Ghosts from the Past" and the Yarikawa storyline first. Once they are complete, Jin can make his way back to Lord Shimura, and begin the series of quests that take the player into Ghost of Tsushima's final act.
This storyline begins with "A Message in Fire," which tasks Jin with meeting Lord Shimura to form a plan of action. If Jin has completed the recommended quests before beginning this mission, he will have his father's armor, as well as access to the Ghost Stance mechanic, giving him a considerable leg up over the Mongol invaders.
How to Start 'A Message in Fire' in Ghost of Tsushima
To begin this mission, simply head to the quest marker found in the south-west corner of the Toyotama region. The missions in Act 2 are extremely spread out, so Jin may not be able to fast-travel anywhere close to the target location, but he can make it to the south-east section of the region, where he and Lord Shimura traveled back in "A New Horizon."
The mission will begin in Umugi Cove, a small village hidden away from prying eyes. Lord Shimura plans on using a pirate to break the Mongol blockade, and this small town is known for its criminal element. As he gets close to his destination, Jin will be required to search for the village, but it is easy to find if he simply follows the obvious paths. When Jin reaches the town, a cutscene will begin in which a Straw Hat ronin questions him, though there is no fighting at this time. Eventually, he will be led to Lady Sanjo, the leader of Umugi Cove.
Objectives:
- Follow the guard to meet Lady Sanjo
Follow the Straw Hat ronin into town to speak with Lady Sanjo. She can help Jin find Goro, the pirate that Lord Shimura tasked Jin with finding. According to Sanjo, Goro is sitting downstairs, enjoying a drink.
Jin will inform Goro that, should he deliver the message to the Shogun for Lord Shimura, his debt will be erased. Goro, despite being a pirate, decides he must honor Shimura's wishes.
Goro agrees to meet Jin near Fort MItodake. Follow him to his home and take the map to the meeting location. As Jin takes the map, several ronin begin to knock on the door.
- Confront the ronin
Jin speaks to the ronin, and it's clear something is afoot, but they decide to leave before Jin can discover what it is. Once the cutscene ends, Jin can head to meet Lord Shimura at his camp across Toyotama
Meet Lord Shimura at his Hunting Camp
Head directly across the island, all the way to Firefly Marsh. Lord Shimura has set up a hunting camp, and waits for Jin's arrival.
- Meet Lord Shimura at his old hunting camp
- Speak with Lord Shimura at his camp
Lord Shimura's camp is small, but the quest marker makes it easy to find. When Jin arrives, his uncle will be anxious to speak with him. They will speak of Goro's trip, and who will deliver the message to the Shogun. Lord Shimura tells Jin to prepare for battle with the Mongols before leaving.
- Travel with Lord Shimura to meet Goro
When the group arrives at Goro's ship, Lord Shimura reveals his plan to help Goro safely past the blockade. Perched above the bay is Fort Mitodake, a large structure that has been taken by the Mongols. Jin and his uncle will attack the fort, taking attention away from the water, and allowing Goro to make his way to the mainland.
Attack Fort Mitodake with Lord Shimura
There will be a large force leaving the fort, and Lord Shimura will demand he and Jin attack. Once they are dealt with, enter the fort proper.
- Open the gates with Lord Shimura
Jin and his uncle will face several small battles with the Mongols as they make their way through the fort. Most of the fights will take place in tight quarters, so an effective strategy is to take out the archers first. It can be difficult to focus on melee attacks and dodging arrows at the same time, especially in confined spaces.
Take the Hwacha:
After fighting through several enemies, the Mongols will begin shooting a hwacha at Jin and Lord Shimura. Look for the circular AOE and avoid it while racing toward the tower.
- Fight to the hwacha tower with Lord Shimura
Use the Hwacha to Destroy the Mongol Ships:
Once Jin has reached the hwacha tower he will use it to help Goro escape the bay. Lord Shimura will handle the guards on the ground as Jin destroys the ships at sea.
Hitting the Mongol ships in the bay can be a bit tricky. Look for the small ships heading for the shoreline first. Remember that the ships are moving, and the projectiles take time to arrive, so aim in front of the intended target, not directly at them.
Jin will also have to destroy the camp that sits on the shore closer to the large Mongol ships. Once this begins to burn, the ashes and smoke will obscure Jin's vision, so look carefully for the last small ships when Jin announces more are coming. They will be found directly behind Goro's ship.
Speak with Lord Shimura to End "A Message in Fire"
After the battle, Shimura tells Jin that his message to the Shogun included a formal request to adopt Jin as his son. This moment, perhaps any other, sets Ghost of Tsushima's final storyline into motion.
If the player completed "Ghosts from the Past," and the Yarikawa trio of quests, then they will be ready to storm Castle Shimura and wrest it from the hands of the Mongol invaders. Act 2 will continue and conclude with "A Reckoning in Blood."
Ghost of Tsushima: DIrector's Cut is available now for PS5. Ghost of Tsushiam is available on PS4 and PS5.