Rise of the Ronin Kill Naosuke Ii or Not: Which Choice Is Best for Your Playthrough?

Navigating the Sakurada Gate Incident

The narrative structure of Rise of the Ronin is built upon pivotal moments that force players to weigh their personal allegiances against the shifting political landscape of 19th-century Japan. As you reach the conclusion of the first act, you will face the crucial decision of whether to Rise of the Ronin kill Naosuke Ii or not. This specific juncture is not merely a piece of historical flavor; it is a mechanical turning point that alters your combat capabilities and future character interactions. Choosing to Rise of the Ronin kill Naosuke Ii or not will leave a lasting impact on your game, making it essential to understand the repercussions of both paths before you draw your blade.

The Consequences of Your Decision

When you finally overcome the Red Demon and the Blue Demon in their challenging dual boss encounter, the game pauses to let you decide the fate of the shogunate’s representative. This choice affects more than just the immediate cutscene; it dictates the rewards you receive and the narrative flavor of the subsequent chapters.

Path 1: Executing the Red Demon

Choosing to end the life of the Red Demon aligns your story with the historical reality of the 1860 Sakuradamon Incident. By selecting this option, your character delivers a lethal blow, resulting in a dramatic cinematic that sets the tone for a more aggressive, anti-shogunate playstyle.

Key Benefits of Killing:

• Combat Style Unlocked: You gain access to the Gikei-ryu Shinobi Combat Style. This is a highly sought-after stance, as it is the same style utilized by the formidable Blue Demon.
• Narrative Consistency: It provides a sense of historical accuracy that many lore-focused players prefer.

Important Considerations:

• Upgrade Limitations: Because this path results in the death of the Blue Demon, you will find it impossible to further upgrade the Gikei-ryu style in later stages of the game.
• Faction Dynamics: Your choice will be noted by various factions, potentially shifting how certain anti-shogunate characters perceive your ronin.

Path 2: Sparing the Red Demon

If you choose to stay your hand, your character will stop the killing blow at the last possible second. This mercy allows the Blue Demon to regroup and whisk the Red Demon away to safety. While this might seem like a "softer" path, it opens up unique cosmetic and gear-based rewards that are otherwise inaccessible.

Key Benefits of Sparing:

• Exclusive Gear: You are rewarded with the iconic Blue Demon's Mask and the high-quality Awagutchi Tadatsuna katana.
• Relationship Management: Opting for mercy can prevent immediate friction with certain characters, keeping your standing with specific allies more stable as you move into the second act.

Narrative Outcome: According to player experience, even if you spare him, Naosuke Ii does not escape his fate indefinitely. He is eventually stripped of his power and meets his end at the hands of your Blade Twin, ensuring the main plot remains on its intended trajectory.

Comparing Combat Styles and Rewards

Deciding whether to Rise of the Ronin kill Naosuke Ii or not often comes down to which reward better suits your current character build. If you prioritize combat variety and specific stances, the Gikei-ryu style is a powerful tool. However, if you prefer unique cosmetic items like the Blue Demon's mask, sparing him is the only way to obtain those pieces.

How to Revisit Your Choice

One of the most praised aspects of Rise of the Ronin is the flexibility it offers through the Testament of the Soul. If you find that the path you chose doesn't align with your goals, or if you simply want to experience the alternative outcome to see the different cutscenes, you are not locked into your decision forever.

• Access the Longhouse: Navigate to your home base.
• Select Testament of the Soul: This menu allows you to replay completed missions.
• Toggle Timelines: You can choose to retain or change your historical timeline, effectively allowing you to "try out" both the kill and spare options without starting a new game file.

Community reports suggest that many players use this feature to farm both the unique combat styles and the specific gear pieces, ensuring they don't miss out on any powerful equipment regardless of their "canon" choice.

Tactical Advice for the Boss Fight

Regardless of your choice, you must first survive the battle. The dual encounter against the Red and Blue Demons is widely considered one of the most difficult challenges in the first act.

1. Focus on the Blue Demon: He is often the more aggressive opponent. Reducing his health pool first will make the remaining portion of the fight much more manageable.
2. Manage Your Blood Gauge: Use the Blade Flash mechanic consistently to maintain your Ki levels, as this is essential for sustaining long combos.
3. Use Consumables: Don't be afraid to use healing items or buffs during the brief windows between their attacks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does it matter if I choose to kill or spare Naosuke Ii for the ending? A: While your choice impacts immediate rewards and relationships, the overarching narrative of Rise of the Ronin is designed to funnel toward specific historical outcomes, so the ultimate fate of the story remains largely intact regardless of your decision here.

Q: Which choice is better for a beginner? A: If you are struggling with combat, the Gikei-ryu stance gained by killing him is highly effective. However, the gear gained by sparing him is also excellent for early-game builds. Choose based on whether you prefer a new combat stance or unique equipment.

Q: Can I get both the Gikei-ryu stance and the Blue Demon's mask? A: Yes. By using the Testament of the Soul at the Longhouse, you can replay the mission to secure both rewards, though you can only have one "active" result in your current timeline at a time.

Q: Does the "kill or spare" choice change my dialogue with Ryoma? A: Yes, your decision will affect your relationship dynamics with key NPCs like Ryoma Sakamoto. Sparing the target generally keeps your relationship smoother, whereas killing him may draw mixed reactions from your allies.