Quick Links
Naoto Shirogane is the last member of the IT to join inPersona 4 Golden. The protagonist will have until October 5th to complete the Secret Laboratory and defeat Naoto’s Shadow. After this, Naoto’s Social Link will become available in late-October.
Since there are only a few more months left inPersona 4 Golden, players will want to rank up Naoto’s Social Link quickly. If players are on the route to the True Ending, they’ll also get the third semester/January to complete the Social Link. However, there are some requirements for Naoto’s Social Link, making it possible to miss on a first playthrough.
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Where to Find Naoto
OnceP4Gplayers formally unlock Naoto’s Social Link (available fromOctober 21stonward), they can find Naoto in theClassroom Building 1FonMonday, Tuesday,Wednesday,andSaturday. She’s also availableSaturdayandholidays, and can be foundat theSamegawa Flood Plain. Like the rest of the IT, she’s unavailable during rainy days.
Since Naoto’s Social Link is one of the trickier ones, players will want to make sure they have a Persona of theFortune Arcanain their lineup. These include:
Like most ofthe other female Social LinksinP4G, the protagonist can date Naoto. However, they’ll need tochoose two, specific answersin order to “unlock” the dating option in Rank 8. Missing them/Choosing the wrong answer can easily lock players out of the romance route.
What is A Reversed Social Link?
Just like with Ai Ebihara,P4Gplayers will want tobe carefulwhen choosing their responses with Naoto. Her Social Link can potentially be Reversed (during Rank 5) if the wrong answer is given. Thanks to Naoto’s late join time and the limited free time in the latter months of the year, Reversing Naoto’s Social Link isnotrecommended - especially on a first playthrough. Fortunately, there’s onlyoneRank where the Link can be Reversed, so players won’t have to be as cautious with Naoto as they would with Ai.
Reversing Social Links will “stall” them. The Social Link will Rank Up, but if it’s Reversed, any points gained from that Rank will be reduced to 0. Reversing a Social Link on purpose is a waste of time, but unlike Breaking a Social Link,a Reversed Social Link can still be saved.
With Naoto, players can earn a total of9 Social Link Pointsin Rank 5. The Social Link will then Rank Up. There will be one more question for players to answer, and saying the wrong thing Reverses it. The 9 Social Link Points gained from Rank 5 will cease to exist, resetting the counter to 0. The protagonist will then need to speak to Naoto to set the Social Link back to normal/Upright. Then they’ll need to start farming Social Link Points until they haveenough to advance to the next Rank.
Fortunately, unlike Ebihara, Naoto’s Social Link cannot be Broken. A Broken Social Link is irreparable and will act as if it never existed in the playthrough. The protagonist won’t be able to summon Persona of a Broken Social Link/Arcana.
Naoto Shirogane Social Link Guide
Rank 1
Naoto’s Social Link is locked behindtwoSocial Stat requirements:Level 5 KnowledgeandLevel 5 Courage. At this point inP4G, players should at least have Knowledge maxed out. If they’ve been consistent withthe part-time hospital job, then their Courage should also be Level 3-4 by the time Naoto joins the team.
“I’d chalk it up as a prank.”
3
“…….”
0
N/A
“I don’t know about those, butmy belongings aren’t of any particular value, so…”
Remember that card…?
“> Naoto is holding a sealed letter…”
A challenge for a duel?
That card business again…?
“How misleading… A sealed letter at a time like this…”
“> Naoto is holding a card.”
That ‘card’ again?
“I haven’t the time to waste on this…”
“But… to ignore it only makes me angry!”
Rank 5
Thefinal dialogue treeinRank 5is where players can potentially Reverse the Social Link. Pay close attention to the answersand avoid upsetting Naoto.
“sigh What should I do…?”
“‘Eating letters with a red face’…? This is…”
“Grampa had this? Why did he keep it…?”
Level 5 Understanding is required.
“I, er… I think I’ll let this play out… And, umm, if possible…”
Let’s do it.
Rank 6
For those that want the protagonist to date Naoto, they’ll have the chance to seize the first “Relationship Flag” in Rank 6. Choosing “I’m glad you’re a girl” is Relationship Flag #1, and is one of the two requirements for dating Naoto. Choosing a different answerwilllockthe romance route.
“Why you, though…?”
“‘When the banks close, the fruit tree grows. By the large seven at the third is the spot I chose’…”
“Perhaps the ‘minus’ part is important…”
Subtract ‘40’ and ‘4’?
“I feel that…I’m undergoing a change.”
Rank 8
The second Relationship Flag is gained from the “Protect Naoto” choice. If playersdidn’tselect “I’m glad you’re a girl” in Rank 6, then this choice won’t have any influence, and the protagonist will get a slap on the wrist for his actions… and nothing else. However, gettingbothRelationship Flags will introduce athirdprompt, and the answer here will start (or not)the relationship between the protagonist and Naoto.
“We may be able to catch him in the act.”
“> The man brandished a knife!”
Fight backorRun with Naoto
0 (Platonic route)
Because I love you.
Romantic Relationship
- This only appears ifbothRelationship Flags (from the previous response and Rank 6) were selected.
“A place I’d be fond of…?”
“Next, what I ‘can’t stand’ to do. There are several possibilities, but…”
Throwing things away?
Rank 10
Since this is the final Rank in Naoto’s Social Link, it will Rank Up automatically. The dialogue will change depending on whether the protagonist is in a relationship with Naoto or not.P4Gplayers will still receive theDetective BadgeKey Item.
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Social Link Completion Reward
The Detective Badge Key Item will carry over into a NG+. It allows players to fuse the ultimate form of the Fortune Arcana, Norn. Playerscan create Norn in a Special Fusionwith the following:
Players won’t be able to create Norn unless they’relevel72 or higher. NornabsorbsWind, resists Ice, and has anAffinityWeaknesstoElectric. It’s also one of the Personas that cannull Dark, meaning it’s immune to skills such as Mudo.
Since Naoto is a party member, her Personawill undergo a transformation. Sakuna-Hikona will becomeYamato Takeru. It’ll learn Abilities such as Vorpal Blade and Megidolaon. Even ifP4Gplayers don’t use Naoto in battle, getting Yamato Takeru is needed to unlock her third-tier Persona, Yamato Sumeragi, in the third semester. Players will want to keep in mind that the third semester is only accessible in the True Ending.
Persona 4 Goldenis available on PC, Switch, PS4, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
