Yuna's storyline and the Iki Island echoes begin to complicate Jin's understanding of his own past. The restraint required in this session is not physical — it is the harder restraint of not acting on what you know, of waiting for the right moment rather than the available one. A warrior who strikes whenever the opportunity presents itself is not a warrior. He is a weapon without a hand.

The choice not to strike is also where Ghost of Tsushima most clearly departs from pure action. Jin has the capacity to resolve most situations violently. The game keeps presenting him with reasons not to, with situations where the sword would make things worse, where patience is the actual skill being tested.