In Ghost of Yotei, one of the toughest battles in the game awaits you: Takezo the Unrivaled. Before facing him, you must find all Dueling Trees. Here’s every location at a glance.
In Ghost of Yotei, the quest “The Five Teachings” leads you through a series of special duels that culminate in your fight against Takezo the Unrivaled. To challenge him, you must first locate and defeat his five students at the so-called Dueling Trees. Each victory grants you one of Takezo’s Talismans, which are required for the final duel. This guide shows you where to find all Dueling Trees, what to expect from each fight, and how to finally defeat Takezo.
The Dueling Trees and Their Locations
There are five Dueling Trees with Takezo’s students scattered across the Yotei Grasslands and the Tokachi Mountains. Each victory rewards you with a unique Talisman featuring special effects.
Dueling Tree 1: Takezo’s Talisman of the Relentless Warrior
- Region: Yotei Grasslands
- Location: Near the Shikotsu River in the southern area
- Effect: Increases damage dealt when health is low
This battle is a classic one-on-one samurai duel. Once you win, you’ll receive a Talisman that rewards a high-risk playstyle. With it equipped, your damage output increases significantly when your health is low.
Dueling Tree 2: Takezo’s Talisman of Renewed Determination
- Region: Yotei Grasslands
- Location: At the western end of the Yotei River
- Effect: Increases Spirit when taking damage
This duel rewards you with the Talisman of Renewed Determination. Every hit you take restores a bit of Spirit, allowing you to use special techniques more frequently. It’s a great opportunity to practice your timing and composure in battle.
Dueling Tree 3: Takezo’s Talisman of Bold Deflection
- Region: Tokachi Mountains
- Location: Far northwest, accessible through a narrow rock passage
- Effect: Parries deal significantly more stagger damage
This Talisman is perfect for players who prefer a defensive parry-based style. Well-timed blocks quickly break an opponent’s stance and open opportunities for strong counterattacks.
Dueling Tree 4: Takezo’s Talisman of Empowering Victory
- Region: Tokachi Mountains
- Location: South of the Tomamu Marshlands
- Effect: Killing staggered enemies restores a bit of health
After winning this duel, you’ll receive the Talisman of Empowering Victory. Defeating staggered foes restores a small amount of health — particularly useful when facing Takezo himself.
Dueling Tree 5: Takezo’s Talisman of the Brave Heart
- Region: Tokachi Mountains
- Location: Near the Niikappu Falls in the northeast
- Effect: Greatly enhances the power of healing techniques
The Talisman of the Brave Heart provides the most defensive bonus of the set. Combining healing techniques with Sake can make you extremely resilient in long boss fights. The student at this tree is considered the toughest of the five, so stock up on healing items beforehand.
The Coastal Dueling Tree
After defeating all five students, a new Dueling Tree appears on the southern edge of the Yotei Grasslands. Interact with the log near the campfire to wait for Takezo. A short cutscene will lead into your first duel against him.
This coastal duel serves as an introduction to Takezo’s technique and is relatively easy. Upon victory, you unlock the ability “Takezo’s Twin Strike”, a special attack for the Dual Katana.
Ascent to Mount Yotei
After your first encounter, the quest marks Mount Yotei as your next destination. The ascent begins at the western end of the Yotei River in the Grasslands. Follow the path to the Yotei Shrine and continue until you reach a campfire surrounded by katanas in the snow. This marks the final chapter of the quest. Before resting at the fire, make sure to equip all five Takezo Talismans at once.
Final Duel Against Takezo
The final battle against Takezo the Unrivaled atop Mount Yotei is one of the toughest challenges in the entire game. Takezo wields Dual Katanas and alternates between quick combos, dodges, and heavy strikes.
Recommended Gear:
- The Immortal’s Armor offers high durability and strong damage reduction
Tactics for the Fight:
- Use Kunai or Tanzutsu to briefly interrupt Takezo and cause stagger damage
- In phase two, an ice storm freezes part of your maximum energy but makes Takezo more vulnerable to stagger
- The Oni Flame can add extra fire damage
- Fight using a Katana or Dual Katana — Yari and similar weapons are ineffective here
The key to victory lies in patience and timing. Parry, dodge, and strike when openings appear. Once you understand the rhythm of the fight, you can endure even its hardest phases.
Rewards and Conclusion
After defeating Takezo, you’ll earn the trophy “Unrivaled”, Takezo’s Straw Hat, and the weapon kits “Gilded Night” and “Gilded Dawn”. This concludes one of the most challenging quests in the entire game.
