In Assassin’s Creed Shadows, the “Stray Dogs” quest is a turning point in Naoe’s mission, blending compassionate, just themes with the restoration of a deeply personal relic. Following the Amagasaki encounter, Naoe meets Yaya and her group of survivors, who are reluctant to pursue her mission. In order to gain their trust, Naoe has to help them recover a pilfered kanzashi, an invaluable hairpin that carries emotional significance. This mission brings you to the Takatsuki Church in north Izumi Settsu, where you will be facing the thief Tetsuo and getting through a set of challenges that evaluate your competence as well as ethics.
The Stray Dogs Quest in Stray Dogs Quest
The Stray Dogs quest becomes available right after you finish things in Amagasaki and take down Waka Koretake, the man responsible for Naoe’s father’s death. You’ll find Yaya and her small group southeast of Amagasaki Castle, with their location clearly marked on the map. If you want to get there quickly, you can use one of the nearby viewpoints to fast travel in Assassin’s Creed Shadows.
As you get closer, the waypoint will disappear, but you can still track Yaya down by following the sounds of a fight. When you arrive, you’ll find her and her group battling several enemies. You’ll need to defeat them all before you can talk to her.
Yaya will be glad to see you and appreciate your help, but she won’t immediately agree to join you. She’ll consider it on one condition: you must help her deal with the thieves who stole from her temple.
In the following cutscene, you’ll get a crucial choice. When speaking with a captured thief, Yaya will ask how to handle them. The best response is “we forgive them.” Choosing this option shows Yaya that you’re not just out for revenge and that you understand the world isn’t simply “kill or be killed.” She’ll remember this moment at the end of the quest.
After this conversation, Yaya will ask you to track down a precious item stolen from her, a kanzashi hairpin. It was one of the last things her late husband held before he passed, and she treasures it as a reminder of him.
Retrieve the Kanzashi in The Stray Dogs Quest
To track down the thief, Tetsuo, and recover the kanzashi, you’ll need to follow the clues Yaya gives you.
- It’s located in northern Izumi Settsu.
- It’s inside the Church of Takatsuki.
- Tetsuo is the one holding it.
While the fact that Tetsuo has the item isn’t immediately useful, knowing the location—northern Izumi Settsu and specifically the Church of Takatsuki—is valuable. If you check the map, you should see “Takatsuki” marked in that region. If you have scouts available, you can send them to survey the area and pinpoint the exact location.
When you arrive in the city, your next task is to track down Tetsuo and his group of thieves. Naoe mentions that they headed toward the Christian church, so keep an eye out for a building with a large cross on top. Sneak inside, and you’ll find Tetsuo in the middle of trying to steal from them.
As soon as you confront him, Tetsuo will try to escape. You’ll have to chase him through the city, but no matter how fast you are, you won’t be able to catch him. The only way to stop him is to reach the exit gate, where Yaya will be waiting. The moment Tetsuo arrives, she’ll take him down, throwing him into the dirt and triggering a cutscene.
