
Assassin’s Creed Shadows: Yaya vs. Mitsumune in “Heads Will Roll”
Should You Side with Yaya or Mitsumune?
The “Heads Will Roll” quest in Assassin’s Creed Shadows presents a crucial moral dilemma for Naoe. Facing a condemned soldier, you must choose between upholding justice, represented by Mitsumune, or demonstrating compassion, siding with Yaya. Your decision profoundly impacts Yaya’s recruitment later in the game, impacting your gameplay experience.
Choice 1: Justice must be served (Side with Mitsumune)
Choosing “Justice must be served” aligns you with Mitsumune’s perspective, upholding the traditional notion of retribution. This path, while seemingly straightforward, leads to Yaya’s initial disapproval. The soldier is executed. However, this choice doesn’t completely diminish your chances of recruiting Yaya. The game still provides two more opportunities in “The Stray Dogs” quest to re-engage with Yaya through dialogue options. Crucially, prioritizing peaceful dialogue options in these later encounters becomes essential to achieving Yaya’s support. This violent but ultimately playable path underscores the nuances within the game.
Choice 2: Killing them isn’t justice (Side with Yaya)
Embracing Yaya’s philosophy of opposing violence, opting for “Killing them isn’t justice” ensures initial positive regard. The soldier’s execution proceeds, but the path to recruiting Yaya is less demanding in “The Stray Dogs” quest. Just one peaceful dialogue choice within those encounters is enough to secure her support. By choosing this path, you lessen the burden of maintaining harmonious relations with Yaya throughout the game’s narrative. It streamlines the process of recruitment and strengthens your rapport with Yaya.
Detailed Comparison:
| Aspect | Side with Mitsumune | Side with Yaya |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Impact on Yaya | Negative | Positive |
| Execution Outcome | Soldier Executed | Soldier Executed |
| Difficulty of Yaya Recruitment (Later) | Higher (Two peaceful choices required) | Lower (One peaceful choice required) |
| Narrative Alignment | Supports a traditional view of justice | Supports a more compassionate approach |
Conclusion
Ultimately, both choices in “Heads Will Roll” offer unique narrative experiences and impact Yaya’s recruitment. Choosing Mitsumune maintains a potentially more morally complex yet traditional story, whilst siding with Yaya streamlines the path to securing her support, making the recruitment process less arduous. Your selection will not irrevocably lock you into one path; there’s room for maneuver and negotiation, although you’ll need to be wary of the consequences of your choices later down the line.
Considering the long-term impact on your interactions with Yaya and the narrative implications, carefully weigh your options before making your decision, remembering the impact on later opportunities to build relationships.




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