Nuno Caro

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Nuno Caro
Biographical information
Died	1582 Takeda Castle, Tamba, Japan
Species	Human
Political information
Affiliations	Templars Portuguese Rite Japanese Rite

Nuno Caro (died 1582) was a Portuguese slaver and a member of the Portuguese Rite of the Templar Order during the 16th century. Commissioned by the Inner Sanctum, Caro exploited the resources and trade of Japan with the intent of subjugating its people under Templar rule.

With the help of fellow Templar Duarte de Melo, he manipulated the Shinbakufu into stealing the Imperial Regalia of Japan for the Templars, and lied to the Inner Sanctum about the artifacts' nature as Pieces of Eden as a means to continue the sponsorship of his mission. Caro and de Melo plotted together in controlling the people of Japan by coercing them based on their principles and views.

However, their ambitions were cut short in 1582 by Yasuke, who assassinated both Templars as revenge for enslaving him and murdering his mother years prior.

Biography

Expedition to Japan

Under the orders of the Inner Sanctum, Nuno Caro was sent to Japan to search for any artifacts that could serve the Templars' interests. Arriving at the port of Sakai in 1560, Caro immediately set out to establish a presence for the Templars in the country, aiming to spread the Order's influence through trade.

Within the next twenty years, Caro and his fellow Templar Duarte de Melo discovered a number of different artifacts and treasures. Most importantly, they learned about the Imperial Regalia of Japan, which they saw their enemy, the Kakushiba ikki, fight and die to protect.

At one point, Caro and de Melo talked about the Inner Sanctum and how they would be convinced to continue funding their mission. Caro assured de Melo that the Sanctum would believe whatever he told them, even his lie about the Imperial Regalia being Pieces of Eden. He also asserted that their progress in Japan would give more promise and commerce than what was expected, especially at the country's ports.

Needing allies, the Templars convinced the overthrown Ashikaga shōgun Yoshiaki, who had founded the secret organization, the Shinbakufu, to trade the regalia in exchange for his return to power. As a result, the Kakushiba ikki was nearly destroyed by the Shinbakufu over the regalia, allowing the Templars to continue their machinations unopposed.

However, Caro and de Melo had noticed the issue of Lord Oda Nobunaga and his mission to unify Japan, a task that could impede their plans. Yet, Caro reassured de Melo that one of Nobunaga's men, Akechi Mitsuhide, was already under the Templars' thumb and that all Mitsuhide needed was a "simple nudge" to go against his lord. When de Melo desired to kill Nobunaga himself, Caro asserted that their work was to be done in private and that this was the way the Templars had always operated. Caro then happily explained that, while the Japanese clans kept fighting each other, the Templars' plan would flourish, allowing them to eventually give the "peace" they deserved.

A rainy voyage

One stormy day, Caro and de Melo sailed on one of their voyages alongside Japan's coast. Caro promptly walked into his quarters alongside his men when de Melo called to his attention about two of their slaves, Diogo and his mother, handling their documents pertaining to their private Templar correspondence. Caro looked at the papers and the slaves, then gave a slight nod to de Melo.

When the Templars' men dragged Diogo and his mother to the deck, de Melo punched Diogo and held him down. Caro then took out his pistol and demanded to know who had sent them. When Diogo denied any wrongdoing, Caro instantly killed his mother. When Caro aimed his pistol at Diogo, an Assassin revealed himself and started to take down the Templars' men.

Caro ordered his men and de Melo to subdue the Assassin. Although the Assassin killed most of the guards, he was soon stabbed by de Melo. Near death, the Assassin yelled at Diogo to go. While the Assassin was killed, Diogo took his mother's necklace and jumped overboard, though not before Caro shot him. Looking at the sea, Caro and de Melo saw no sign of Diogo and, assuming he had perished, continued their voyage.

Leading the Japanese Rite

Installing a new Templar Rite in Japan, Caro continued to support the Shinbakufu's efforts while expanding the Order's influence across the country. He soon recruited daimyō Kimura Kei to the cause and instructed the lord to train a new army for the Templars.

At the same time, Caro financially aided Akechi Mitsuhide with his plans against Oda Nobunaga, although he took two of his children, Hosokawa Tama and Akechi Mitsuyoshi, as collateral. Forcibly inducting Tama into the Templars, he placed her in charge of the silver production in Tamba at the Tada Silver Mines as a means to finance the Templars' operations. To make sure that Tama abided, he took Mitsuyoshi hostage at Kameyama Castle and threatened his life.

Downfall and death

By 1582, upon hearing of the Shinbakufu's downfall and de Melo's and Kei's deaths at the hands of Yasuke, Caro sought to take down Nobunaga's former samurai directly. In Tada, already disappointed with Tama's recent output of silver, he instructed Tama to invite Yasuke to her estate, to lower his guard, and to poison him. Upon Yasuke's arrival, Tama followed through with Caro's orders while the Templar came out to view the samurai slowly becoming immobilized. Almost recognizing him, Caro gave Tama the responsibility to deal with the samurai before leaving.

However, Tama chose to go against Caro by aiding Yasuke in his mission. After securing both her brother's safety and the Akechi clan's katana, Yasuke was informed by Tama of Caro's location: Takeda Castle. At the castle, Caro spoke of his surprise to his guards until Yasuke confronted him. Yasuke then revealed their shared history as the Templar finally recognized the samurai as his former slave, Diogo.

Caro explained that his mother's death had been a lesson to the rest on the ship for being disobedient but Yasuke did not relent. Ordering his guards to stop the "escaped slave", Caro retreated into the castle and mocked Yasuke while he fought. However, Yasuke killed all of the guards and soon confronted the Templar alone. After being bested, Caro begged for his life. Atop the tenshu, Caro was held at the ledge and then pushed over by Yasuke.

Bleeding, Caro started to crawl away but attested to Yasuke gaining his vengeance. Yet, he continued to mock him about his mother. Yasuke admitted that Caro's imminent death was, in fact, a declaration of war against the Templars. Shocked, Caro exclaimed that his Order would come for him and his league, to which the samurai stated that they would be ready.

While Yasuke readied his katana, Caro declared this to be the beginning of Yasuke's end. He then quickly pulled out his pistol and attempted to shoot Yasuke in a last-ditch effort to save himself, only for the samurai to cut him down. Before leaving, Yasuke proclaimed his name and retrieved an amulet, the Masakado's Vengeance, from Caro's personal effects.

Personality and traits

"Your mother's death taught everyone how I felt about insubordination. Everyone except you, it seems."

―Nuno Caro to Yasuke

Nuno Caro was a pragmatic and ruthless man, whose prejudice and immorality led him to commit atrocities for his own selfish desires. Like his partner Duarte de Melo, Caro ultimately worked towards taking control of Japan, its people, and its resources. He even held the Inner Sanctum in low regard, lying to them about the Imperial Regalia being Pieces of Eden so that they could continue to sponsor his operations.

In his final moments, Caro revealed his cowardly side as he begged for his life upon being bested by Yasuke. Yet, even moments away from death, he could not help himself from mocking the samurai about his deceased mother and boasting that the Templars would exact retribution on his behalf. When Yasuke was unfazed by his words, Caro attempted to catch him off-guard and shoot him, only for the samurai to intercept his attack and end his life.

Skills and equipment

In combat, Caro used a Carracks black sword as his main weapon and a pistol as his secondary weapon. Unlike most of his Templar subordinates, he wore no armor.

Behind the scenes

Nuno Caro is a character introduced as a major antagonist and assassination target in the 2025 video game Assassin's Creed: Shadows, where he is voiced by Paulino Nunes, who also voices Alessandro Valignano.

Etymology

Nuno is an Portuguese male name and is a derivation of either the Latin word, nunnus ("grandfather") or the Latin word nonnus ("chamberlain, squire"). The surname Caro is derived from the Latin word, carus ("dear, beloved"), and can be found in Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, and Sephardic cultures, where it was initially used as a nickname or term of endearment before becoming a hereditary surname.

Gallery

Nuno Caro

Caro in Iga no Monogatari

Appearances

• Assassin's Creed: Shadows (first appearance)
• Animus Hub (mentioned in Database entry only)
• Assassin's Creed: Shadows – Iga no Monogatari