Tetsuo’s choice happens near the end of The Stray Dogs, Yaya’s personal questline in Assassin’s Creed: Shadow. After Naoe met her in Osaka’s Fisherman’s District, helped her deal with bandits, and tracked down the stolen Kanzashi, she will confront Tetsuo inside the Church of Takatsuki. Tetsuo panics and runs, and you will follow him out of town until Yaya cuts him off and knocks him down. Instead of escalating the situation, she talks to Naoe and asks what she says. At this point, you’re given two dialogue options:
- You need to forgive each other
- You need to take responsibility
A warning message mentions that your choice will impact Yaya, and this time, it actually can.
What Happens If You Ask Yaya and Tetsuo to Forgive Each Other
Telling Yaya and Tetsuo to forgive each other is the canon-friendly decision that also best fits Yaya’s character. She believes guilt and violence only keep people trapped, and her belief remained firm since Heads Will Roll.
When you go with the forgiveness choice:
- Yaya will be happy with Naoe’s judgment.
- She will ask Tetsuo for forgiveness, and will also forgive him in return.
- You will be able to recruit Yaya as a summonable companion.
From a gameplay perspective, it checks the final box you have required to unlock Yaya as an ally if you haven’t received her approval with a previous choice to either forgive or punish Shrine Raiders.
What Happens If You Tell Yaya to Take Responsibility
If you choose “You need to take responsibility,” it won’t change Tetsuo’s fate. Yaya will not agree to punish him, will explain her reasons, and still forgive him in the end, even when you picked the opposite. So Tetsuo will walk away safe and healthy, no matter what you say. The decision won’t impact him in any way, but it’s Yaya who shifts her behavior towards Naoe. If you’ve already disagreed with her in an earlier choice, she will not come to your side. In other words, Tetsuo will be forgiven in both scenarios. Only Yaya’s trust remains on the line, and she will agree to work together with you.
Should You Side with Yaya or Tetsuo in AC Shadows?
You should tell Yaya and Tetsuo forgive each other because it keeps the doors open. This way, you will earn Yaya’s trust and avoid the permanent cut-off of the game’s most valuable early companions. Yaya is different from others; she can be summoned in the fights and can help a lot to throw off some burden from your shoulders. The “take responsibility” option doesn’t offer a different outcome, reward, or storyline. You will only lose Yaya for good, and she won’t appear again throughout the game.
