As something of a spin-off and a prequel to the Yakuza series, the Samurai-era set Like a Dragon: Ishin is packed with many quests, sights, and substories to keep fans entertained for hours. One of the trickier substories is The Mochi Mystery in Chapter 3, which requires Ryoma to solve the case of the missing rice cake and expose its potential thief.
It's one of the funnier substories in Like a Dragon: Ishin. It's a nice break from the sober and darker tones of the main story. While players aren't required to fight off hordes of bad guys or get involved with more political intrigue, they must pay attention to solve the mystery.
Locating The Mochi Mystery
Substory 06, Mochi Mystery, is available in Chapter 3 once Ryoma can pass the large gate. The substory is located in Shinmeicho in Rakunai, as indicated on the map above. Like the Yakuza games, the protagonist can complete favors for people on the streets.
Ryoma notices a gathering of six men arguing. After asking what the fuss is about, one of the men, a Doshin - a low-ranking Samurai police officer - will ask Ryoma to help him solve the crime of the stolen rice cake.
Now, it's up to players to talk to the five suspects and use their powers of deduction to solve the case and figure out which two stole the cakes.
Questioning The Mochi Mystery Suspects
The suspects will line up against the wall, ready for questioning. It doesn't matter which order Like a Dragon's Ryoma speaks to the men, but each of the men will have the following things to say:
- Kitajima - It's quite the puzzle, isn't it? All I can say is that either Nakagawa-san or Minamino-san is guilty, but not both.
- Minamino - It had to have been Ni-Nishiyama.... His kimono had daifuku powder on it! I saw!
- Nakagawa - I saw Minamino with mochi filling on his mouth. Also, I was with Nishiyama the whole time, so he's clean.
- Nishiyama - Only Higashihara and Minamino had the keys to the snack room. One of them, or both, is who you're after.
- Higashihara - All I know is that one of the culprits must be Kitajima. I saw him with his hands on the thing, no doubt about it.
With all the suspects questioned, it's time for Ryoma to figure out which of the two men is guilty of the steal the Mochi rice cakes.
The Mochi Mystery Suspects Revealed
With all the suspects questioned, Ryoma must deduce who committed the theft. Based on Nishiyama's statement:
- Both Higashihara and Minamino had keys to the stock room.
- Nakagawa confirms that Minamino had mochi filling on his face.
- Kitajima is certain that either Minamino or Nakagawa is guilty.
That is three times Minamino has been named as a prime suspect, and he's also the most nervous. Based on the statements, both Nakagawa and Nishiyama have alibis and are the most reliable witnesses. That also leaves the second keyholder Higashihara, the only suspect to blame Kitajima.
- So, based on those deductions, the Mochi Mystery thieves are Higashihara and Minamino.
Approach the Doshin and select Think I've figured it out. Ryoma will be asked to point out the two guilty men. Talk to Minamino and Higashihara, and Ryoma will dramatically point out the suspects as an allusion to the Ace Attorney games.
After the men have been rumbled, they confess their crimes, and the distracted Doshin will let them go. He rewards Ryoma with the Godslayer's Talisman and a minimum of 300 virtue.
Like a Dragon: Ishin is available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.