The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Guide | How to Rescue Captive Apprentices

Here’s a guide on how to rescue Captive Apprentices in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.

Game Guide by Ragib Rawnak on Nov 09, 2026

Rescuing the four captive carpenters inside Gerudo Fortress is one of the main objectives you must clear as adult Link to reach the Haunted Wasteland and the Spirit Temple.

After you cross the broken bridge in Gerudo Valley, the Master Craftsman tells you his workers ran off to join the thieves and ended up locked away in prison cells.

To help them, you have to break into the hideout, find each cell, defeat the guarding warriors, and unlock their cages. Once you rescue all four workers, you earn the Gerudo Membership Card, which allows you to roam the entire grounds freely without getting thrown back into a jail cell in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Rescue Carpenter 1 Shiro

Preparation and Getting Inside

Before you head in, ensure you have the Longshot (or Hookshot) and the Fairy Bow. The Fairy Bow is great for knocking out patrolling guards from a distance before they spot you and blow their whistles.

Here is an easy trick to start: deliberately let a wandering guard spot you on the ground level. They will throw you into an elevated jail cell. This actually saves time. Look straight up at the wooden beam on the open window above your cell, fire your Longshot to pull yourself up to the ledge, and drop down outside onto the lower ledge to begin your run.

Rescue Carpenter #1 (Shiro)

Drop down from the jail ledge toward the ground floor on the northwest side and slip through the doorway at the bottom. Walk down the hallway until you spot the wooden prison cell holding Shiro.

Walk up to the cell bars and speak with him. The moment your conversation ends, a Gerudo Thief drops down from the ceiling with dual blades to fight you. Keep your shield raised and watch her attack pattern in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.

When she prepares her jumping spin slash, dodge to the side or step back. Circle around to hit her back with your sword, or stun her with your Hookshot or Fairy Bow. Once you deplete her health, she drops a smoke bomb and leaves behind a Small Key. Pick up the Small Key, unlock the door, and talk to Shiro to free him.

Rescue Carpenter #2 (Saburo)

Head back out the doorway you used to enter and climb the vines back up toward the upper roofs. Jump across the gap to the adjacent rooftop on the west side and enter the doorway right in front of you.

Follow the hallway downward, keeping an eye out for patrolling guards. If you see one approaching around a corner, stun her instantly with an arrow from your Fairy Bow. Follow the hall until you find the second cell where Saburo is held captive.

Talk to Saburo through the bars. Another Gerudo Thief drops down to fight. Use the same strategy: block her normal swings, bait out her overhead attack, counterattack her unguarded sides, and finish her off.

Grab the Small Key she leaves behind, unlock the cell, and speak to Saburo so he can run back to safety in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Rescue Carpenter 2 Saburo

Rescue Carpenter #3 (Jiro)

Leave the second cell area by heading back up the stairs and exiting outside onto the roof. Look across the immediate opening for a ladder. Climb this ladder to reach the higher tier of the fortress roof.

You will see two entrances here. Take the left doorway and follow the corridor down to find the third holding area containing Jiro. Speak to Jiro through the iron bars to trigger the third miniboss ambush.

Block her strikes, punish her recovery animations with jump attacks, and pick up the dropped Small Key. Unlock the gate to free Jiro, then exit through the doorway you came from.

Rescue Carpenter #4 (Ichiro)

Head back toward the rooftop area near the top of the ladder. Take the opposite entrance you bypassed earlier. Inside this corridor, use your Longshot to grapple across the wooden beams to avoid the guards patrolling the floor below.

Step out onto the high balcony, drop down carefully near the ladder, and enter the lower door. Follow this passage carefully. Stay behind the patrolling guard without getting too close, or stun her with an arrow to slip past safely in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.

Follow the corridor to the end to locate the final cell holding Ichiro. Speak with him to trigger the last battle. Take down the final warrior just like the previous three. Grab the fourth Small Key, open the lock, and speak to Ichiro to complete the rescue.

Claiming Gerudo Membership Card

As soon as the fourth carpenter runs free, a Gerudo Leader appears before you. Impressed by your stealth and combat prowess, she hands over the Gerudo Membership Card.

With this item in your inventory, the guards across Gerudo Fortress become friendly. You will no longer be captured or thrown into jail cells, giving you full access to explore the area, tackle the archery range, and open the large gate leading straight into the Haunted Wasteland.

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Claiming Gerudo Membership Card

FAQ

Q. What happens if a guard catches you in Gerudo Fortress?

A. If a patrolling guard spots you, she blows a whistle, and you are thrown into the elevated jail cell. You can escape instantly by aiming your Longshot or Hookshot at the wooden ceiling plank above the window and pulling yourself out.

Q. Can you stun the patrolling Gerudo guards?

A. Yes. You can hit them with an arrow from your Fairy Bow or shoot them with the Hookshot to stun them temporarily, giving you plenty of time to run past undetected.

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