Like a Dragon: Ishin!/Chapter 1

Having just arrived in Tosa, Ryoma starts off at the bank of the Kagami River with 6 ryo, the Yoshiyuki, and nothing in his inventory.

#### Defeat the Tosa Joshi

Defeat the Tosa Joshi
 Requirements
 Substories Unlocked

VS two Tosa Joshi named Minamida and Gondo. Both swordsmen. Ryoma is locked to Brawler. The player must progress through the tutorial by pressing the Combo Button to start a Rush Combo and land ten strikes total, pressing the Finishing Blow button to land a Finishing Blows three times total, and pressing the Finishing Blow button to land a Finishing Blow during a Rush Combo three times total. Once the tutorial has ended, the enemies begin attacking Ryoma and can be defeated by any means desired.

#### Head to Hama Tea Parlor

Head to Hama Tea Parlor
 Requirements
 Substories Unlocked

Ryoma decides to head towards "a restaurant near the dock" (referring to Hama Tea Parlor, located to the side of the stairs to the dock area from the west end of the Main Road). When he starts down the stairs ahead of him, he encounters a suspicious man placing something inside a pot; the man initially appears guilty, but explains he is placing

At Hama Tea Parlor, Ryoma may order any item on the menu to complete the task, the most economical option being the Chestnut Manju. After he has eaten, a Young Goshi seated outside the tea parlor calls out to him, asking him if he was the one who fought the joshi earlier. However, his companion, a Skilled Goshi, quickly dismisses the idea under the belief he has most likely already been imprisoned and executed, affirming Tosa's unchanging class structure in spite of current events across the nation.

Ryoma does not correct the assumption, and the Young Goshi apologizes and directs him to join the Tosa Loyalist Party if he wishes to enact change, mentioning that "Takechi-sensei welcomes all." Ryoma sets off for the Kengoshi Schoolhouse.

#### Ask for Directions to Kengoshi Schoolhouse

Defeat the Tosa Joshi
 Requirements
 Substories Unlocked

Ryoma does not remember the directions to the Kengoshi Schoolhouse and must ask for directions to get there. There are three townspeople he may ask for directions: one standing by the fenced-in yard up the stairs from Hama Tea Parlor, one across from the stairs to the North Road, and one by the stairs leading up to the Takechi Dojo. The third is the correct person to ask and will tell Ryoma the schoolhouse is located behind Chitose Provisions; the first does not know about it, and the second only has a vague recollection of it.

The townsperson may be spoken to either after completing the task #Defeat the Ronin or by circling around the northern path past the shrine and dojo. Approaching the well next to Chitose Provisions, Ryoma encounters a woman who (does whatever), unlocking the ability to examine wells for items and fresh well water. Approaching Chitose Provions, Ryoma encounters a battle with a group of ronin hired by the joshi he fought earlier.

#### Defeat the Ronin

Defeat the Tosa Joshi
 Requirements
 Substories Unlocked

VS four ronin named Tanaka, Ikegami, Tsukada, and (?), all swordsmen. Ryoma is locked to Brawler. The player must progress through the tutorial by pressing the Grab button to initiate a Grab, pressing the Combo button or Finishing Blow button while having an enemy in a hold to land three strikes total, and pressing the Finishing Blow button to land a Finishing Blow during a Rush Combo three times total. Once this phase has ended, the enemies begin attacking Ryoma and the player is directed to press the Evade button three times total.

Once the tasks have been completed, there is some explanatory text regarding Brawler explaining the ability to press the Grab button near an object to use it as a weapon, press the Brawler/Use Weapon Style button to use an equipped special weapon, and press the Guard button just as an enemy strikes to parry, which will activate War Cry Counter and grant temporary invincibility. The player is directed to parry three oncoming strikes total. Once the tutorial has ended, enemies can be defeated by any means desired.

After the battle ends, some explanatory text regarding Ability Enhancement is displayed, unlocking the ability to to use Soul Orbs to enhance Ryoma's ability.

## Character Interactions

"Chapter 1: Escaping Tosa" features the following unique character interactions. Overheard interactions are interactions Ryoma does not directly participate in, which do not require player interaction

### Overheard Interactions

At the dock, a man explains the origins of the Kagami River's name to a woman.

**Townsperson** — Kagami's nice an' calm today.
**Townsperson** — Ye said it. Beautiful. By the way... Know why it's called Kagami?
**Townsperson** — No. Can't say as I do.
**Townsperson** — If ye head further down, it's said... The water in it starts reflectin' the sky like a mirror. Hence, Kagami, the word for "mirror." When the fifth lord, Yamauchi Toyofusa-sama, saw it, he said: "It's like a mirror which reflects my very shadow." From then on, it's been known as Kagami River.
**Townsperson** — 'Ey. Ye know your stuff. So, what was it called afore that? 'Fore it was dubbed Kagami?
**Townsperson** — Eh? Uh... Um... What was it again?
**Townsperson** — Heh. Don't know that one, eh?
**Townsperson** — Hahaha. Afraid not.

Up the path from the riverbank and to Ryoma's left, Ryoma runs into a woman who recognizes him.

**Young Woman** — Been a minute, Sakamoto-san.
**Ryoma** — Yeah, I just got back.
**Young Woman** — Sword training do you right?
**Ryoma** — It did. I learned a lot in the dojo.
**Young Woman** — Really? You sure about that?
**Ryoma** — What do you mean?
**Young Woman** — You mean you weren't chasing after some little filly instead?
**Ryoma** — Heh. Didn't have much time for that.
**Young Woman** — Haha, just poking fun, that. Haven't lost your sense of humor, I see.