Rise of the Ronin expands on its excellent main story with side missions tied to specific members of its expansive cast. Termed Bond Missions, they are generally smaller story chapters that give your Ronin a look into these characters’ motivations while subtly shaping their actions through dialogue choices.

Bond Missions are an important part of the game’s mechanics too, as they often provide rewards you cannot find elsewhere, while each Bond Level you achieve with a character unlocks exclusive rewards like combat styles, weapons, and better healing abilities. Clearly, Bond Missions are an important part of the experience Team Ninja has crafted with precision and flair.

How to Start the Bond Mission

A chance encounter with Ryoma Sakomoto early on in the story leads your Ronin to the Yokohama Pleasure District and eventually towards the Sakura Inn, where the city’s anti-shogunate faction likes to spend its time. Here, your Ronin meets Shinsaku Takasugi, one of Master Shoin’s students.

He is a key member of the Chosu faction, although he does not play well with others. He is also the founder of his own force, the Kiheitai, whom he aligns firmly against the shogunate.

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You can begin to raise your Bond Level with Shinsaku from here, as you are handed the Bond Mission as a part of the main story. Interact with him at the mission marker to begin the first Bond Mission, Try Your Luck, in which Shinsaku invites you to blow off some steam.

How to Complete Try Your Luck in Rise of the Ronin

It turns out that Shinsaku’s idea of a fun time is to visit the nearby gambling den. Find him at the objective marker on the map and interact with him. He volunteers to be your guide at the den, watching your back to make sure you don’t get ripped off. Quite thoughtful.

Choosing the dialogue option “I appreciate it” produces the best results and begins the gambling activity.

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Gambling in Rise of the Ronin is quite simple. You purchase wooden tokens using your silver, which you then bet on the sum of two hidden dice in a cup being odd or even. As you progress through the game, you may even encounter a moment where your Ronin realizes they are being cheated, leading to a fight with some goons to complete the activity.

In this case, it is as simple as playing a couple of rounds until Shinsaku checks in on you, prompting some dialogue. Choose the option “I’ve had enough” to proceed with the mission.

Shinsaku takes you outside, where a trio of villains turn up. They are intent on taking your winnings, so dispatch them with deadly force. The mission ends once they are defeated, with Shinsaku praising your swordplay.

You are rewarded with 1,100 silver, 17 XP, an American Revolver Mk.II, Handgun Bullets, Wooden Tokens, and Black Sand Steel for your efforts. Raising your Bond Level with Shinsaku rewards intellect points and combat training styles for polearms, katanas, and oxtail blades, which makes it important to get on his good side – and fast!

Train with him and give him gifts to speed up the process if these combat styles fit into your build. They are well worth the effort.

Shinsaku isn’t the only character in Rise of the Ronin with a lot of cool rewards to dole out. There’s Igashichi Lizuka, the inventor and tinkerer who gives you new weapons and tools to enhance your experience, for example. Check out our Rise of the Ronin guides to make the most of your time in ancient Japan!