You’re standing there. The rain is probably pouring, or maybe it’s just the heavy weight of the "Blade of the Brotherhood" mission pressing down on you. In Assassin’s Creed Shadows, the moment finally comes where you have to decide: do you attack or forgive Hanzo?
It’s a gut-punch. Hattori Hanzo—the legendary shinobi, the man who was supposed to be a mentor—just confessed to something pretty unforgivable. He played a part in the betrayal of Naoe’s mother. Now, the prompt is flickering on your screen.
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Honestly, it feels like one of those "life-altering" gaming moments. But is it? If you’re looking for a quick answer: the game lets you vent your rage, but it doesn't let you rewrite history.
The Choice Breakdown: What Happens When You Click
Most players hit that "Attack" button the second it pops up. I mean, why wouldn't you? He’s standing there admitting he essentially helped destroy your life.
If You Choose to Attack Hanzo
If you pick Attack, you aren't just getting a cutscene. You’re getting a boss fight. And let me tell you, Hanzo isn't some pushover old man. He is a master shinobi for a reason.
- The Fight: You’ll engage in a high-intensity duel. He uses classic Iga-style smoke bombs, quick strikes, and evasive maneuvers that make him feel like a mirror image of Naoe’s own potential.
- The Second Chance: After you beat him (or during the fight), the game actually pauses and asks you again. It’s like the developers are saying, "Are you sure you want to go through with this?"
- The Fake-Out: Even if you commit to the kill, Naoe stops. She’s overwhelmed by the cycle of violence. She realizes that killing Hanzo won't bring her mother back and, more importantly, Hanzo is the only lead she has to find her.
If You Choose to Forgive Hanzo
Choosing Forgive immediately skips the bloodshed. Naoe takes a breath, clenches her teeth, and decides that the mission is more important than her revenge.
Hanzo expresses a deep sense of relief—not just because he’s alive, but because he sees that Naoe is "the future of the country," just as Lord Ieyasu predicted. He agrees to work with the Kakushiba ikki and help Naoe track down her mother.
Why "Attack or Forgive Hanzo" Is Such a Heated Debate
Gamers hate "illusion of choice." We’ve seen it in Mass Effect, we’ve seen it in The Witcher, and now we’re seeing it here. Some people feel cheated that you can't actually end Hanzo.
But there’s a historical reason for this. Assassin's Creed Shadows tries to stay (mostly) within the lines of real Japanese history. The real Hattori Hanzo lived until 1596. If Ubisoft let you gut him in the middle of the Sengoku period, they’d be breaking their own "historical fiction" rules.
The Emotional Stakes
Naoe’s journey is about moving past the "shinobi as a tool" mindset. By choosing to forgive—or even by attacking and then sparing—she proves she’s not just a weapon. She’s a leader.
"Lord Ieyasu was right. You are the future of our country." — Hattori Hanzo
That line only hits home if you realize that Hanzo is passing the torch. He knows he’s part of the old, bloody world. Naoe represents something new.
Does Your Choice Change the Ending?
Basically? No.
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Whether you swing your blade or lower your head, the mechanical outcome is identical. Hanzo survives. He becomes an ally. He helps you in the final stretch of the game.
You don't get a "Bad Ending" for attacking him, and you don't get a "Secret Reward" for forgiving him right away. The only real difference is the gameplay experience of the boss fight and a few lines of dialogue.
If you want the full experience, I usually recommend attacking him first. Why? Because the boss fight is actually one of the best-choreographed duels in the game. It’s a shame to miss the mechanics just to be "the bigger person" in a digital world.
Quick Comparison of the Two Paths
If you're still undecided, look at it this way. Choosing to attack gives you about 5 to 10 minutes of extra gameplay. You get to test your skills against a master. It feels cathartic.
Forgiving him is the "speedrun" version. You get straight to the story beats. If you’re playing for the narrative and want Naoe to remain a stoic, focused protagonist from start to finish, go with forgiveness.
Moving Forward After the Choice
Once the choice is made, Hanzo joins your cause. You’ll start seeing his influence in the way the Brotherhood operates in the late game.
What to do next:
- Check your gear: After this mission, you often unlock specific shinobi upgrades that reflect Hanzo's teachings.
- Talk to the NPCs: Some characters in your base will have new dialogue depending on how the Hanzo confrontation went down.
- Focus on the Mother's trail: The questline shifts heavily toward finding Naoe's mother now that Hanzo is talking.
Don't sweat the "right" choice too much. In the world of Assassin's Creed, history is a fixed point—even if we get to play around in the margins for a bit.
Actionable Insight: If you haven't done the duel yet, make sure your parry timing is perfect. Hanzo punishes button mashing. If you already finished it and feel like you "messed up" by trying to kill him, don't worry—the story reconciles your choice perfectly, and Naoe's character growth remains intact regardless of your initial bloodlust.