The legend of Black Hand Riku is one of the most haunting and fascinating mythic tales in Ghost of Tsushima: Director’s Cut. Unlike the traditional samurai legends, this tale ventures into the dark and mysterious realm of piracy, betrayal, and vengeance. Set on the lawless seas of Iki Island, it tells the story of a dreaded pirate who defied both the shogunate and the Mongols, only to be cursed for his crimes. Jin Sakai, in his journey through Iki, must uncover the truth behind this myth and decide whether Riku’s legacy is one of justice or blood-soaked infamy.
1. The Origins of Black Hand Riku
Black Hand Riku was once a feared and ruthless pirate who terrorized the waters surrounding Iki Island. His name struck fear into the hearts of merchants and warlords alike, as he was known for his brutal raids and merciless nature. Unlike ordinary pirates, Riku was said to possess supernatural resilience, surviving battles and betrayals that would have killed any other man.
Legends say that Riku was once an honorable sailor, but he turned to piracy after being betrayed by the very people he swore to serve. Cast out and left for dead, he swore vengeance and took to the sea, gathering a crew of outcasts and warriors. Together, they plundered the coastline, amassing wealth and striking terror into those who opposed them.
Riku’s reign of terror eventually drew the attention of the samurai, who sought to put an end to his rampage. However, every attempt to kill him failed, leading many to believe he was protected by dark forces. His signature blackened hand, rumored to be the result of a cursed wound, became a symbol of his wrath and his pact with the unknown.
2. The Shogunate’s Wrath and the Mongol Invasion
As Riku’s power grew, so did the bounty on his head. The shogunate sent fleet after fleet to hunt him down, but his knowledge of the sea and ruthless tactics made him nearly impossible to capture. He continued to rule the waters until the Mongol invasion changed everything.
The Mongols, more ruthless and well-equipped than the samurai, sought to bring Iki Island under their control. Seeing them as an even greater enemy than the shogunate, Riku made a fateful decision—to challenge the Mongols in open combat. He rallied his men and waged a naval war against the invaders, sinking many of their ships and delaying their conquest of Iki.
However, the Mongols were not easily deterred. In a desperate bid to turn the tide, Riku sought out forbidden knowledge, making a pact with forces beyond human understanding. Some say he dabbled in dark magic, sacrificing his own soul in exchange for power. Others believe he betrayed his own men, dooming them to a fate worse than death.
3. The Curse of Black Hand Riku
No one knows exactly what happened on the night of Riku’s final battle, but the aftermath became legend. His entire fleet was destroyed in a single night, with no survivors left to tell the tale. The Mongols claimed victory, yet Riku’s body was never found.
Rumors spread that he had been cursed by the spirits of the sea, condemned to roam the waters for eternity. Some claimed to see his ship, a ghostly vessel emerging from the mist, carrying the souls of his fallen crew. Others whispered that his blackened hand was proof of his cursed existence, marking him as a prisoner of his own dark bargains.
Fishermen spoke of eerie whispers carried by the waves, and those who ventured too close to his supposed resting place never returned. The legend of Black Hand Riku transformed from that of a ruthless pirate to that of a vengeful spirit, haunting the shores of Iki Island forever.
4. Jin Sakai’s Quest for the Truth
As Jin Sakai explores Iki Island, he hears of Riku’s legend from the locals. Some believe he still lives, hiding in the shadows, while others insist he is a ghost, doomed to seek vengeance for all eternity. Jin, always a seeker of truth, embarks on a journey to uncover what really happened to Black Hand Riku.
The quest leads Jin to shipwrecks, abandoned hideouts, and old battlefields where Riku’s men once fought. Along the way, he encounters survivors who claim to have seen Riku’s spirit, warning him to turn back. Yet, Jin presses on, determined to separate myth from reality.
Jin’s investigation eventually brings him face-to-face with the truth—a hidden cove where Riku’s final battle took place. Here, he uncovers evidence that Riku was indeed betrayed, not by dark forces, but by his own men who feared his growing power. The so-called curse was nothing more than fear and superstition, yet the legend had taken on a life of its own.
5. The Duel with the Pirate Lord
In the heart of the cove, Jin finally encounters the last remnant of Black Hand Riku—a lone warrior who claims to carry on his legacy. This warrior, whether an imposter or Riku himself, challenges Jin to a duel, believing that only in combat can the true heir of Riku be decided.
The duel is fierce, a clash between Jin’s samurai precision and the brutal, unpredictable style of the pirate lord. After an intense battle, Jin emerges victorious. In his final moments, the defeated warrior confesses the truth—Riku had been betrayed by his most trusted ally, not by supernatural forces. His legend had been twisted over time, turning him into a ghostly specter rather than the man he truly was.
With this revelation, Jin has a choice: let the legend of Black Hand Riku live on, fueling the fear of the island’s people, or reveal the truth, allowing Riku’s name to fade into history as that of a fallen warrior rather than a cursed ghost.
6. The Legacy of Black Hand Riku
Regardless of Jin’s choice, the story of Black Hand Riku remains one of the most powerful mythic tales of Iki Island. It serves as a reminder that legends are often built on fear and half-truths, shaped by the perspectives of those who tell them.
For Jin, the journey to uncover Riku’s fate is more than just another mission—it is a reflection of his own struggles with honor, betrayal, and the weight of his own legend. In the end, the tale of Black Hand Riku is not just about a pirate; it is about the power of stories to shape history, for better or worse.
And so, the ghost of Iki Island moves on, leaving behind yet another tale to be whispered by the wind and waves.
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