In the Belly of the Beast quest in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, you need to steal delivery papers from an unmarked estate west of Nanban Temple in Kyoto. To move forward with the plan against Oda Nobunaga, Naoe needs these documents to get into Honnoji Temple. Since the city is large and the objective isn’t clearly flagged, this guide shows exactly where to go and how to get the papers to complete the Belly of the Beast in AC Shadows.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows Belly of the Beast Walkthrough
Belly of the Beast quest triggers immediately after Friend of My Enemy, which sends Naoe along with Akechi Mitsuhide north into Yamashiro. Kyoto is a level 10 region and one of the densest urban spaces you’ve encountered so far in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, so to reach it, ride the horse with Pathfinder enabled to set the map marker. You will pass by Toji Temple, where you can set a fast travel point and get a Knowledge Point, and then enter the city from the south.
Head to a bridge on the eastern side of southern Kyoto, where you will find Ise Sadaoki with his attendants underneath the bridge. He wants to sneak Naoe into Honnoji Temple in a delivery cart, but they need the legit papers to get past the inspection guards, and those are in the hands of Oda Nobunaga’s loyal samurai. You can pick any choices in dialogue as they don’t affect the outcome. Once the conversation with Sadaoki ends, you must find the delivery papers in Kyoto.
How to Find the Papers in the Belly of the Beast
According to the limited clues, the papers are in central Kyoto in Yamashiro, and west of Nanban Temple. Kyoto’s “center” isn’t labeled on the map, which is what can make this spot confusing on a first playthrough. Once you find the temple, you need to look for a walled estate just to the west, roughly between Honnoji Temple and Nijo Palace.
Scout ability can narrow the search area, but even then, you still need to identify the correct compound. This compound has many samurai and workers, and charging in through the main gate will lead to an unnecessary fight. The safe route is from the southern end, where terrain and building layout allow Naoe to move with stealth.
From the road, climb the rocks near the southern wall to get elevation. From here, you can vault onto the wall and look down into the compound. Use Observe or Eagle Vision to reveal the blue marker inside the largest building on the southern edge to see the exact papers’ spot.
Move from the southern building. A guard patrols near the door; assassinate him quietly to get a direct way inside. Don’t get spotted by nearby workers—unarmed NPCs will report you if they spot.
If the entrance looks too exposed, there’s a safe way underneath the structure. Near the edge of the building, beneath the entry door, you can slip through a crawlspace under the floorboards. Follow it until you reach a trapdoor that opens inside the house to avoid most patrols.
Retrive the Papers
Inside, a samurai guards the papers and occasionally moves around the room. Use Eagle Vision to track the guard’s position, then open the room door carefully.
Silently take him down in one strike without alerting anyone, and take the papers from the table in front of the window. Resist the urge to explore further, as lingering will only increase the chance of getting spotted. Exit the way you came in, either through the trapdoor or the door if the area is clear, then leave the compound and put some distance between Naoe and the estate before you move in open through the city again.
Return the Papers to Ise Sadaoki
With the documents secured, head back to the bridge where you first met Sadaoki to hand over the papers. He reacts with frustration toward the guards who failed to protect the papers, then appraises Naoe’s ability. This exchange reinforces his resentment toward Nobunaga and sets the stage for the events ahead.
The Belly of the Beast (Naoe) quest ends here, nets you 1000 XP, and unlocks the next main quest, Temple of the Horseman, which begins a major turning point in Act 1.
