Should You Kill Or Spare Ukita Naoie Assassin's Creed Shadows

Are you debating whether you should kill or spare Ukita Naoie in Assassin's Creed Shadows? This fella has earned the ire of a powerful warlord as well as that of our two protagonists. Still, you're given a choice regarding his fate, and how you'll break the news to his young son. Oh, and do take note that this guide contains spoilers.

Should you kill or spare Ukita Naoie in Assassin's Creed Shadows

The decision to kill or spare Ukita Naoie happens as part of the campaign arc where you need to eliminate The Noble member of the Shinbakufu group. Here's a quick summary:

• This arc takes place in the Harima region, though most quests that you tackle are in Himeji.
• Tasks include meeting Kuroda Kanbei, joining a rengakai (i.e. poem writing) ceremony, finding a shipment of munitions and armaments, and chasing down a man in a loincloth (no joke!).
• Eventually, you're told that Hideie, Ukita Naoie's son, has been kidnapped. When you do attempt to rescue him in Itatehyozu Shrine, it's also revealed that Ukita Naoie is none other than The Noble, the Shinbakufu target that you're hunting.

Before you decide to kill or spare Ukita Naoie, you still need to make your way to the top of Himeji Castle. There are a lot of soldiers guarding the place, which is why we recommend Yasuke for the job. Once you reach Naoie's chamber, you'll see him reading a scroll.

• "We fight now" - Starts the boss battle immediately.
• "Finish reading" - You'll allow Naoie to read the rest of the passage. This is actually the better choice, assuming you want to spare him later on.

Okita Naoie isn't a terribly tough opponent on his own. However, he does summon a couple of shinobi enemies whenever he tosses a smoke bomb. That's why you need to pummel him with everything you've got. Depending on the character that you chose for this fight, make sure you're using the best skills for Yasuke or the best skills for Naoe.

Once Naoie has been defeated, you can decide whether Naoe executes him, or if you'll spare him instead.

Well, to no one's surprise, Naoie dies a quick death at the hands of our favorite shinobi from Iga. Is this the ideal decision? Probably not...

It's actually better if you spare Ukita Naoie. To be clear, he'll still perish since he's giving his life so that Kanbei Kuroda won't harm his son. But there's an additional bittersweet scene at the end.

• If you spare Naoie, he'll recite the last passage from the rengakai.
• When you talk to Hideie, you can tell him: "Your father recited a stanza."
• Hideie will be moved to tears. Although his father still died, the knowledge that he was able to read his work is more than enough to console him.

Regardless of whether you killed or spared Ukita Naoie in Assassin's Creed Shadows, you'll still receive the following rewards:

• Oni's Fury (legendary amulet)
• Damage for Non-Legendary Gear (legendary engraving)