Not every choice in Assassin’s Creed Shadows carries lasting weight, but your decision to confront Wakasa or Otama during the “The Tea Ceremony” mission will significantly impact how the rest of the quest unfolds.
While both women present suspicious behavior during the tea ceremony and offer plausible reasons for scrutiny, only one path leads to a smoother, more direct resolution. Choosing correctly streamlines the mission and delivers a more satisfying conclusion.
Should You Confront Wakasa or Otama in Assassin’s Creed Shadows?
Image Source: Ubisoft Quebec via The Escapist
After the tea ceremony concludes, the correct target to confront is Wakasa—she is, in fact, the Golden Teppo of the Onryo. Uncovering her identity early allows you to eliminate her in the most efficient way possible, avoiding a drawn-out sequence of combat and stealth.
When you choose to confront Wakasa, she invites Naoe to her home to discuss the matter privately. As you enter her dwelling, a subtle but telling clue confirms your decision: the kasa (straw hat) she wore during the prologue as the Onryo is clearly hanging on the wall.
Following a tense exchange, Naoe can seize the moment by taking the Teppo from the wall and firing it at Wakasa point-blank—delivering a swift, cinematic end to the mission with minimal effort.
Related: How to Complete The Tournament and Get the “Test Your Might” Achievement in Assassin’s Creed Shadows
What If You Confront Otama Instead?
If you mistakenly accuse Otama after the tea ceremony, you’ll still eventually reach the truth—but the path becomes significantly more difficult.
Confronting Otama triggers a chase sequence ending in her death. While a letter found on her body confirms her own corruption, letting Wakasa escape gives her time to retreat and barricade herself with soldiers inside Osaka Castle.
To finish the mission, you must travel to the castle and either fight through waves of enemies or attempt a stealthy infiltration. Even if you’ve unlocked the nearby Osaka Tenshu fast travel point, you’ll still need to navigate several enemies before reaching her.
Worse, a stealth assassination on Wakasa fails—forcing you into at least a one-on-one duel. While the boss fight isn’t overly challenging, it’s entirely avoidable. Choosing Otama first adds unnecessary combat, extends the mission, and robs you of the impactful, story-driven execution available when confronting Wakasa directly.
Given that Wakasa played a key role in the death of Naoe’s father, facing her head-on and ending her life swiftly carries far greater narrative weight and emotional payoff.
Now that you know the optimal choice after “The Tea Ceremony,” consider exploring how to gain XP quickly and level up in Assassin’s Creed Shadows to prepare for future challenges. You might also want to learn how to earn Knowledge Points faster, unlocking powerful new abilities for both Naoe and Yasuke.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows is available now on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.
