Let me be real with you: The Broken Blacksmith is not the flashiest mission in Ghost of Tsushima. There are no epic duels under a blood moon, no sweeping horseback charges. But in 2026, after Ghost of Yotei has come and gone, I still think it is one of the smartest early story beats in Sucker Punch's samurai epic. It introduces Taka, Yuna's blacksmith brother, and it hands you Kenji, the sake salesman who never met a silence he could not fill. If you are booting up Tsushima for the first time, or returning for another run, here is how I get through it without raising a single alarm.
The setup: rescue Taka, tolerate Kenji
Jin continues his quest to help Yuna free her blacksmith brother Taka. That is the whole emotional engine of the mission. Along the way, you meet Kenji, a loquacious sake salesman who is always trying to weasel out of pretty much every situation, dangerous or otherwise. Kenji is supposed to bring some levity to an otherwise bleak story, and he does. He also has heart. Despite his initial reluctance, he comes through when it matters.
At the meeting point, Jin hears what will become a very common sound: Kenji running his mouth. Even before Jin meets the bumbling merchant, it is clear that Kenji loves the sound of his own voice. He and Yuna are arguing about rescuing Taka. Jin joins the conversation and convinces Kenji to go along with Yuna's plan to use the sake cart to get into the Azamo Bay prison camp. Kenji protests verbally, but he goes along with it. After waiting for him to pack his cart, the trio sets off for Azamo.
Travel with Kenji and Yuna
Your first objective is simple: do not draw any unwanted attention. After walking a short distance, the three travelers come across a group of Mongols. Yuna stops Jin from confronting them and convinces him to hide in the back of Kenji's cart. Do that. Hide in the sake cart and remain hidden until you reach Azamo Bay. Kenji will talk his way through the gates, and then it is up to Jin and Yuna to rescue Taka.
Inside Azamo Bay: stealth or failure
Once inside, Jin and Yuna must use Ghost of Tsushima's stealth mechanics to make their way across the rooftops of the prison camp. Be careful not to be seen. Raising the alarm means instant failure. I mean it. Trust me, I learned the hard way.
Follow Yuna, then survey the path ahead. Once Jin makes it onto the first roof, the game will instruct him to survey the camp's first courtyard. Look for the impossible-to-miss mission marker on top of the roof to initiate the survey. Jin will notice an enemy in yellow. That figure appears to be more than just a common Mongol soldier, and that is your slaver target.
Use the bamboo poles to the left of the first roof to cross the courtyard. The next section has a clear path along the buildings to follow. The biggest challenge is the marketplace, which Jin and Yuna must cross at ground level. Azamo Bay sits there like a sleeping beast, and you do not want to wake it.
Jin can assassinate the single Mongol guard to the right of the building, which allows the pair to cross the courtyard without being seen from behind. As they approach the bamboo cages, use Focused Hearing to see the location of two crossing guards. Once they pass, head into the building. There are several ways to make it onto the roof, or you can remain on the ground and follow the slaver right to Taka.
Convince Taka and move fast
When you find Taka, Jin and Yuna have to convince a terrified blacksmith that he must leave the camp. Once he agrees, the trio must move quickly to get out before the dead Mongols are found. No shame in it: this is the part where the mission shifts from quiet infiltration to a brisk escape.
Escape Azamo Bay and meet Kenji
Do not raise the alarm. Reach the north gate of Azamo Bay. After reaching the north gate, escape Azamo Bay and meet up with Kenji at the crossroads.
Jin, Yuna, and Taka will not meet any resistance as they leave the camp, but the slaver's body will be found. Hurry and get over the fence, then run out of there. Several large groups of Mongols will be searching outside the camp. Use the pampas grass to hide until they pass. The grass swallows you whole, which is exactly what you want.
Look for a mission marker above a patch of pampas grass. Once they reach this area, Taka will hear horses and think it is more Mongols. It turns out to be Kenji bringing horses for the escape. Once the group meets with Kenji, the game fades to black to indicate a passage of time. It fades back in after sunrise. The group has not seen any Mongols for hours. Eventually they pull off to rest at an overlook, noting how close they are to Komatsu forge, their ultimate destination. For now, they rest and recuperate.
Mission objectives at a glance
| Phase | What to do | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Meet Kenji | Listen to the argument, then convince him | He provides the sake cart |
| Travel | Hide in the cart when Mongols appear | Avoid a fight you do not need |
| Infiltrate | Stay on rooftops, follow Yuna, survey | Alarm means instant failure |
| Cross marketplace | Assassinate the lone guard, use Focused Hearing | Avoid the two crossing guards |
| Rescue Taka | Convince him, then move quickly | The slaver's body will be found |
| Escape | Reach north gate, hide in pampas grass | Kenji brings horses |
Final thoughts for 2026
The Broken Blacksmith ends with Taka safe. Jin vows to return to Azamo Bay to free the other captives. Taka promises to make whatever tools Jin will need to rescue his uncle. It is a small mission in the grand scheme, but it sets up so much: Taka's craft, Kenji's loyalty, and Jin's growing role as the Ghost. In 2026, with Ghost of Yotei out and Tsushima still beloved, this early quest remains a perfect example of Sucker Punch's pacing. Look, I won't sugarcoat it: the stealth can be fussy if you rush. Slow down, watch the guards, and let Kenji do the talking. You will know the moment when it comes.