The tension in the Omi region reaches its breaking point during the pivotal mission "Unmasking the Wheel." After hours of tracking the elusive Shin Bakufu member known only as The Wheel, the revelation that the mask hides Lady Oichi—Yasuke’s close confidant and potential romantic interest—is one of the most significant emotional beats in the game. When the blades are drawn in the Hogonji Temple, you are forced to make a defining choice: do you spare Lady Oichi as Yasuke or attack her as Naoe?

Navigating this decision requires understanding that while the immediate material rewards might seem identical, the narrative ripples and character dynamics shift in ways that define the middle act of the story. This breakdown covers every nuance of the choice to help you decide which path fits your version of the Sengoku era.

The Context of the Betrayal

To understand the weight of the choice, it is essential to look at how the protagonists reach this moment. Lady Oichi is first introduced as a sympathetic noblewoman, a widow struggling to maintain order in her domain amidst the chaos of Oda Nobunaga’s unification efforts. However, the investigation into the Shin Bakufu’s "Sorrow" branch reveals a darker truth.

Lady Oichi took on the persona of The Wheel (or The Mourner) not out of a thirst for power, but out of perceived necessity. To save the people of Omi from starvation and predatory moneylenders during a series of failed harvests, she entered a pact with the Shin Bakufu. This moral ambiguity sets the stage for the confrontation. Naoe sees a member of the group responsible for her father's death; Yasuke sees a woman driven to extremes by love for her people.

Choosing to Spare Lady Oichi as Yasuke

Selecting the option to spare Lady Oichi is widely considered the more diplomatic and narratively "fruitful" path for those invested in the long-term character development of the duo.

The Immediate Reaction

When Yasuke chooses mercy, he argues that the cycle of violence must end if they are to build a Japan worth living in. Naoe, fueled by the memory of the Iga invasion and the Shin Bakufu's role in the destruction of her home, reacts with visible frustration. She expresses her anger by throwing a shuriken into the temple pillar behind Oichi—a clear message that mercy is Yasuke’s choice, not hers—and storms out.

Narrative Consequences

Despite the friction, this path leads to a more contemplative and healthy resolution. Yasuke and Oichi share a quiet moment where she reflects on her misdeeds and vows to assist the protagonists in dismantling the corrupt elements of the Shin Bakufu from within. This path reinforces Yasuke’s role as the moral anchor of the pair, emphasizing the "Samurai" code of honor and the potential for redemption.

Quest Unlocks and Romance

Sparing Lady Oichi is the primary trigger for the continuation of her romance arc. Shortly after this mission, you will unlock "The Wheel Turns," a quest specifically designed to explore the growing bond between Yasuke and Oichi. Additionally, you gain access to "Cloud Gazing," a heartwarming scene on the shores of Lake Biwa that helps mend the relationship between Naoe and Yasuke after their disagreement.

Choosing to Attack Lady Oichi as Naoe

If you prefer a story driven by the raw, visceral consequences of vengeance, choosing to attack Lady Oichi as Naoe provides a much more dramatic—albeit darker—cutscene.

The Kuma Sacrifice

When Naoe lunges forward with her hidden blade or tanto, she does not strike Lady Oichi. Instead, Oichi’s loyal bodyguard and right-hand man, Kuma, throws himself in front of the blade. Kuma takes a serious wound to protect his master. The sight of the humble bodyguard bleeding for the crimes of a noble causes Naoe to recoil in immediate regret. She laments that it is always the poor who pay for the sins of the wealthy before fleeing the scene.

Narrative Consequences

Surprisingly, this path does not result in Oichi’s death. The game employs a bit of "illusion of choice" here, as Oichi survives regardless of Naoe's intent. Yasuke remains behind to tend to the situation. In the aftermath, Oichi confirms that Kuma will survive his injuries, ensuring that his role as a contact for future missions regarding corrupt daikans remains intact. The tone between Yasuke and Naoe is more strained initially, though they still eventually reconcile during the "Cloud Gazing" sequence.

Impact on Romance

While some initial reports suggested that attacking Oichi locks out her romance entirely, it appears to be more of a temporary setback. However, the atmosphere during "The Wheel Turns" feels significantly more awkward, as you are pursuing a relationship with a woman whose bodyguard you nearly killed. For those wanting the "best" romantic experience, this path is generally avoided.

The Reward: Myth Slayer (Ou Katana)

Regardless of whether you spare or attack Lady Oichi, you receive the same legendary weapon: the Myth Slayer (also referred to in some regional translations as the Ou Katana). This was formerly the blade of Oda Nobunaga’s brother, and its stats make it one of the most powerful mid-to-late game weapons for Yasuke.

  • Weapon Type: Katana (Yasuke Exclusive)
  • Special Ability: Divine Retribution – Combo finishers are replaced with a high-impact standing strike that leaves enemies in a staggered/vulnerable state, perfect for follow-up heavy attacks.
  • Default Engraving: Enhanced Riposte – Significantly increases the damage dealt immediately after a successful parry.
  • Monetary Reward: Between 300 and 500 Mon (depending on your difficulty settings and previous mission performance).

Because the mechanical rewards are identical, the decision truly rests on how you want to shape the personalities of Naoe and Yasuke.

Is There a "Correct" Choice?

From a completionist perspective, sparing Lady Oichi offers a slightly smoother gameplay experience. It keeps the mission flow logical, avoids unnecessary harm to the fan-favorite NPC Kuma, and provides the most straightforward path to 100% completion regarding character relationships.

However, attacking as Naoe is arguably more consistent with her character arc at this specific point in the game. Naoe is a survivor of a massacre, and her hesitation to trust a member of the Shin Bakufu—even one as charming as Oichi—is grounded in the trauma of her past. If you are roleplaying a Naoe who is slowly learning to control her rage but hasn't quite mastered it yet, the attack option provides a powerful moment of growth through regret.

Long-Term Effects on the Shin Bakufu Investigation

Whichever path you choose, the death of "The Wheel" as a political entity is finalized. Lady Oichi provides Yasuke with the location of the next major target: The Hoarder, a corrupt daikan operating out of Kyoto. This transition is seamless in both versions of the quest.

Oichi also becomes a valuable informant. By leaving her alive and on good terms, you will occasionally receive intelligence regarding secondary Shin Bakufu activities in the Omi and Yamashiro provinces. These small flavor texts and minor side objectives add a layer of depth to the world-building that is slightly less pronounced if you choose the more aggressive path.

Summary of Consequences

Feature Spare (Yasuke) Attack (Naoe)
Oichi's Fate Survives, grateful Survives, remorseful
Kuma's Fate Unharmed Injured (survives)
Main Reward Myth Slayer Katana Myth Slayer Katana
Naoe's Reaction Angry but respectful Distressed and regretful
Romance Potential Optimal / High Strained / Possible
Follow-up Quests The Wheel Turns, Cloud Gazing The Wheel Turns, Cloud Gazing

Strategic Recommendations

For players looking to maximize the narrative quality of their playthrough, consider the following approach:

  1. The Completionist Path: Spare Lady Oichi. This ensures all dialogue trees in the romance sub-quest "The Wheel Turns" feel earned and natural. It also keeps your relationship with Kuma on excellent terms for the "Dishonorable Daikans" side questline.
  2. The Narrative Purist Path: Attack Lady Oichi. If you find the "instant forgiveness" trope in games to be unrealistic, Naoe's reaction offers a more gritty and realistic take on the consequences of betrayal. The fact that she fails to kill Oichi adds a layer of destiny to the story—Oichi was meant to survive to help the cause.
  3. The Speedrunner Path: It doesn't matter. Since the Myth Slayer Katana and the Kyoto intel are granted in both scenarios, you can select whichever option you can click through faster.

Ultimately, the choice to spare or kill (or attempt to kill) Lady Oichi serves as a mirror to the player's own philosophy on justice. In the shadows of 16th-century Japan, where the line between ally and enemy is often blurred by a mask, the decision defines what kind of legends Naoe and Yasuke will become.