TL;DR
- Complete six sniper eliminations using rooftop advantage before targeting Wada Koretake
- Use perch assassination for guaranteed kill on the main target from elevated positions
- Choose between Mitsumune’s execution approach or Yaya’s mercy for alliance consequences
- Maintain stealth to avoid the roaming castle guard during courtyard infiltration
- Your final decision affects future character availability and story progression
Facing the pivotal decision between Yaya and Mitsumune represents one of the most consequential moments in Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ narrative progression.
The climactic Heads Will Roll mission serves as the concluding chapter in The Wounded storyline, culminating with the targeted elimination of Wada Koretake. This operation demands a strategic choice that directly influences your relationship with Yaya, a valuable potential ally whose recruitment hinges on your decision-making.
Our comprehensive Assassin’s Creed Shadows walkthrough provides detailed guidance for completing the primary Heads Will Roll objective while analyzing the strategic implications of aligning with either Yaya or Mitsumune regarding the fate of Nobunaga’s captured forces.
Initiate the mission sequence by tracking the designated waypoint on your navigation interface until you encounter an Animus portal activation point. Engage with this temporal gateway to commence the operation.
Following an extensive narrative sequence, you’ll be deployed within a fortified castle complex with the singular objective of eliminating Koretake. While your allied forces engage enemy troops at ground level, your insertion point positions you advantageously on the rooftop structures with the primary directive: neutralize all gate snipers. Your tactical display will highlight the positions of all six designated marksmen, enabling systematic clearance across the castle’s elevated pathways.
While stealth assassinations provide efficient elimination of many sniper positions, maintaining covert status isn’t mandatory for mission advancement. These long-range specialists present minimal threat in close-quarters engagements, as their combat effectiveness drastically diminishes at shorter ranges. Their attention will frequently be divided by your ground-based allies, creating numerous opportunities for undetected approaches.
Pro Tip: Prioritize snipers covering chokepoints first, as these positions pose the greatest threat to your advancing allies. Use environmental distractions like throwing coins or creating noise in opposite directions to isolate targets.
Upon completing all six eliminations, proceed toward the primary courtyard area distinguished by yellow banners and decorative drapery. Maintain your elevated position along the left-side rooftops while remaining vigilant for additional archer and sniper reinforcements.
Navigate the rooftop network toward the courtyard’s rear section, positioning yourself behind the minor structure where Wada Koretake periodically pauses during his patrol route. Systematically eliminate remaining snipers and reconnaissance units in this sector to minimize detection probability.
Critical Awareness: Even with perfect stealth execution, a heavily armored castle sentinel patrols this area continuously. Time your movements to coincide with his back-turned patrol patterns, and avoid engagement unless necessary as he possesses significantly higher health and damage resistance.
After securing the perimeter, ascend the smaller structure and assume an overwatch position commanding the courtyard. When Koretake approaches within effective range, execute the perched assassination maneuver. This initiates the concluding cinematic sequence and presents the mission’s decisive choice point.
With Koretake eliminated, your allies have assembled the remaining enemy forces within the courtyard perimeter. Mitsumune advocates for executing all captured soldiers, while Yaya and Kyonyo argue for demonstrating moral distinction from Nobunaga’s forces through mercy.
Strategic Implications: Choosing Mitsumune’s path strengthens military efficiency but permanently damages your relationship with Yaya, potentially locking her out as a future ally. Opting for Yaya’s approach builds trust and opens additional narrative branches but may reduce immediate tactical advantages.
Common Mistake: Many players underestimate how this decision impacts late-game alliance availability. Unlike temporary reputation changes, this choice creates permanent narrative divergence affecting multiple subsequent missions and character interactions.
Action Checklist
- Activate Animus portal and complete introductory cutscene
- Eliminate all six gate snipers using rooftop advantage
- Navigate to courtyard rear while avoiding patrol guard
- Execute perched assassination on Wada Koretake
- Make strategic choice between Yaya and Mitsumune alignments
No reproduction without permission：Game Guides » ‘Heads Will Roll’ walkthrough, Yaya or Mitsumune choice in AC Shadows Complete guide to the Heads Will Roll quest with strategic choices and character alliance impacts