Epic Games has expanded the NPC roster in Fortnite Treasure Hunters Mini Season to nine characters following update 43.10, which rolled out November 12, 2026. The lineup now includes new arrivals alongside two NPCs carried over from Chapter 7 Override.
Key points
- Fortnite Treasure Hunters now has 9 NPCs on Crossbones Isle as of update 43.10, released November 12, 2026.
- Four NPCs can be hired as combat allies, while five others open a free Rift for rotating around the island.
- Epic Games vaulted Gold Bars in update 43.00, making all NPC services free this season.
- Treasure Hunter Hope is a new addition at Lantern Landing, while Kawaii Team Leader has reportedly relocated to Lil' Uzi's Stronghold.
- Players can hire one NPC each, for up to three per squad, using the interact button near a hire marker.
The update matters because NPCs have become central to how players move around Crossbones Isle and gear up for fights. Four of the nine can be hired as combat allies, while the other five offer a free Rift service that lets squads rotate out of dangerous spots without spending resources.
Where Each NPC Stands on Crossbones Isle
Most NPCs sit near named points of interest, making them easy to track down once players know the general area. Charlotte-Sensei, a Supply Specialist, is stationed near The $.$. Rocky, while Buccaneer Brigand Jones works out of Windmill Village, just south of the POI marker, offering both Heavy Specialist support and a Rift option.
A newly added character, Treasure Hunter Hope, now stands at Lantern Landing and can be hired directly. The Straw Hat Pirates crew from the One Piece collaboration also populates the island: Nami waits on the beach south of Windmill Village, Zoro and Luffy both appear in Loguetown next to each other, Usopp holds the western tip of Arlong Park, and Sanji is positioned on the eastern side of Busy Bay. All five offer Rift travel rather than combat support.
A Disputed Location for Kawaii Team Leader
Not every NPC location is settled. Several guides place Kawaii Team Leader at Fortune’s Fort, but more recent reports tied to the 43.10 patch put her at Lil’ Uzi’s Stronghold instead. Players chasing her hire service should check both spots if the first comes up empty, since map data has shifted between updates this season.
How to Hire an NPC
Hiring works the same way it has throughout the season. Players need to locate a hireable NPC, confirmed by a hire marker above their head, then interact using E on keyboard, Square on PlayStation or X on Xbox.
- Navigate to the NPC’s general location using the map.
- Look for the hire marker to confirm the character offers that service.
- Approach and interact with the NPC.
- Select “Hire NPC” and confirm.
Each player can hire one NPC, meaning a full squad can bring three hired allies into a match. Hired characters follow the player and can be eliminated by enemies, so protecting them matters, particularly for those working through One Piece-themed quests tied to the Straw Hat crew.
Gold Bars Are Gone, and So Are the Fees
Every NPC service this season is free. Epic Games vaulted Gold Bars entirely with update 43.00, removing the currency players once spent to hire allies or access shops. The decision stands out given the season’s “Treasure Hunters” branding, which otherwise leans heavily on loot and plunder.
The 43.10 patch also introduced three new bosses roaming Crossbones Isle, including Buggy at Buggy’s Beachhead, alongside four new Sprites: Mini Miku, Squiplash, Zee and Sir Oscar the Second. Players hunting for Sprites or loot often look toward the island’s Fortnite Treasure chest spots, which remain scattered across the map alongside buried caches that require some digging to uncover, a mechanic detailed in earlier coverage of Fortnite chest hunting. Epic has not said whether the NPC count or their locations will shift again before the Mini Season ends, but prior updates this season have already moved at least one character and added two more.
