Rise of the Ronin: How to defeat bosses Shinpachi Nagakura and Hajime Saito? Rise of the Ronin guide, tips

Hajime Saito and Shinpachi Nagakura are the bosses from the main quest Burgeoning Betrayal from the game Rise of the Ronin. From this guide page, you will learn when the battles take place in the dojo in the Kyoto region and how to react to the two bosses' unique attacks.

Last update: 08 April 2024

In Nishi Honganji temple area in Kyoto region, in Rise of the Ronin you need to win 2 practice fights against 2 bosses - Shinpachi Nagakura and Hajime Saito. On this page of our guide, we provide breakdowns of these two confrontations from Act 3 (Kyoto region). You'll learn when the sparring sessions take place and how to properly react to attacks of these two elite enemies.

• Infiltrating the Nishi Honganji temple
• Shinpachi Nagakura
• Hajime Saito

Infiltrating the Nishi Honganji temple

1. During the course of Act 3 of the campaign, one of the quests you'll receive will be Burgeoning Betrayal a story mission that involves infiltrating a temple in Kyoto.
2. Your goal will be to win 2 practice battles against bosses, and in this case, the battles take place one after another, and in each, you'll fight a single opponent. These are one-on-one fights, which means you can't count on companion help. You'll also use practice wooden weapons, but fortunately, healing items and other non-offensive consumables are allowed.

Shinpachi Nagakura

1. Before Hajime Saito agrees to fight you, you have to prove your skills - you need to face Shinpachi Nagakura in an exhibition match.
2. The opponent will wield one larger weapon. He can use it to perform combinations of normal attacks, as well as quickly close the distance by performing a charge or a lunge. These attacks are rather difficult to parry.

1. Nagakura's red attacks include a grab attempt - the best way to avoid it is to dodge to a side.
2. The boss can also perform a spin attack which isn't the last in the sequence, as the enemy can fire another or a few normal attacks after it.

Hajime Saito

1. After defeating Nagakura, look for a Banner to replenish supplies and save your progress. Eventually, you'll follow Saito and the battle against him happens after reaching the main hall of the dojo.
2. Saito's normal attacks mainly involve a melee combination that is concluded by an airborne spin attack (screenshot above). Try to perfect parry the attack.

1. One of Saito's most often used red attacks is a lunge - it is very well telegraphed and thanks to this, you'll have an easier time perfect parrying or dodging it.