Quick Links
- Naoto’s Social Link Battle Perks
- How To Rank Up Naoto's Social Link
Mature, clever, and tasked with helping the police solve the series of bizarre murders happening around Inaba, Naoto Shirogane is a pivotal character in Persona 4 Golden. Heralded as a “Detective Prince,” Naoto is an asset once you save them from their shadow and recruit them for your team.
Naoto’s social link is among the last that you’ll unlock. Thankfully, that means you’ll have time to become smart enough to speak with them. For help getting closer to detective Naoto Shirogane in Persona 4 Golden, follow along with our guide below.
This article contains spoilers Persona 4 Golden.
Naoto’s Social Link Battle Perks
One of the final social links to unlock, you won’t be able to begin Naoto’s social link in Persona 4 Golden until at least 10/21. You’ll lose a few other social links for story reasons at the end of October or the beginning of November for story reasons, though, which leaves more time to hang out with Naoto.
On or after 10/21, head to the North Shopping District and speak to the man in the black suit. While you can find him this beginning on 10/21, you will need Rank 5 Knowledge and Rank 5 Courage before he'll speak to you. Use the time leading up to this date to max out your social stats to ensure a smooth beginning to Naoto's P4G social link.
After receiving the card, go back to the first floor of Yasogami High and find Naoto to give her the card. Doing so will formally unlock her social link.
Additionally, as a member of the Investigation Team, becoming closer to Naoto will reward her with perks she’s able to use in battle.
Naoto's Persona 4 Golden Social Link Unlocks
|
Rank |
Ability |
Description |
|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Assist |
Naoto can wake an ally that's been knocked down. |
|
3 |
Follow Up |
Naoto might perform a follow-up attack. |
|
5 |
Recover |
Naoto can cure ailments during a fight. |
|
7 |
Endure |
Naoto may endure a blow that would otherwise be fatal. |
|
9 |
Protect |
Naoto may take a fatal blow in Yu's place, saving his life. |
|
10 (Max) |
Second Awakening |
Transforms Sukuna-Hikona into Yamato-Takeru, Naoto's ultimate Persona |
Finally, once she joins the Team, you're able to begin inviting Naoto on bike rides. These shared bike rides consume a time slot, but they teach Naoto new battle skills that she's unable to learn through normal means.
How To Rank Up Naoto's Social Link
It’s maybe more important here than it is for other social links, what with how little time you have to max Naoto’s link, but you can earn bonus affinity for having a Persona of the same arcana in your party when you spend time with your friends.
Naoto covers your Fortune arcana in Persona 4 Golden, so pay a visit to the Velvet Room before you spend time with her. With so little time to spend, you’ll want every free point of affinity you can get!
In addition to the time crunch, Naoto is one of only two characters in Persona 4 Golden whose social link can reverse after incorrect dialogue choices. If this happens, you’ll have to spend some time with Naoto to patch the relationship before you can continue progressing her social link, costing you time that, by this point in the game, you may not have.
You also have the option to romance Naoto, if you so choose. This will happen during her Rank 8 scene.
Naoto's Persona 4 Golden Social Link, Rank 1
|
Dialogue |
Your Response |
Points Earned With A Matching Persona |
Points Earned Without A Matching Persona |
|---|---|---|---|
|
"What sort of person gave this to you?" |
"A man with black sunglasses." |
— |
— |
|
"A man who knew I knew you." |
— |
— |
|
|
"A suspicious man." |
— |
— |
|
|
"The man is most likely still here in Inaba. I cannot drag you further into this." |
"I can't back out now." |
— |
— |
|
"I gotta help. You're a girl." |
— |
— |
|
|
"Let's go home together." |
— |
— |
Naoto's Persona 4 Golden Social Link, Rank 2
Naoto will learn the Invigorate 1 S. Link Skill after this scene.
|
Dialogue |
Your Response |
Points Earned With A Matching Persona |
Points Earned Without A Matching Persona |
|---|---|---|---|
|
"I'd chalk it up as a prank." |
"Really?" |
— |
— |
|
"I'm still worried about you." |
— |
— |
|
|
"That's no fun." |
3 |
2 |
|
|
"……" |
"What happened?" |
— |
— |
|
"You don't need to go home?" |
— |
— |
|
|
"A thief in a sleuth's house?" |
— |
— |
|
|
"I don't know about those, but my belongings aren't of any particular value, so…" |
"You should be careful." |
3 |
2 |
|
"Who would want your stuff?" |
— |
— |
|
|
"Remember that card…?" |
3 |
3 |
Naoto's Persona 4 Golden Social Link, Rank 3
|
Dialogue |
Your Response |
Points Earned With A Matching Persona |
Points Earned Without A Matching Persona |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Naoto is holding a sealed letter… |
"A challenge for a duel?" |
3 |
3 |
|
"A love letter?" |
— |
— |
|
|
"That card business again…?" |
3 |
2 |
|
|
"How misleading… A sealed letter at a time like this…" |
You won't read it?"" |
— |
— |
|
"What if it's from a guy?" |
— |
— |
|
|
"What'll you do with it?" |
— |
— |
Naoto's Persona 4 Golden Social Link, Rank 4
|
Dialogue |
Your Response |
Points Earned With A Matching Persona |
Points Earned Without A Matching Persona |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Naoto is holding a card… |
"Another love letter?" |
— |
— |
|
"Is it a guy this time?" |
— |
— |
|
|
"That 'card' again?" |
3 |
3 |
|
|
"I haven't the time to waste on this…" |
"That's right." |
— |
— |
|
"Why so uncomfortable?" |
— |
— |
|
|
"Running from a challenge?" |
— |
— |
|
|
"But… to ignore it only makes me angry!" |
"Good luck." |
3 |
2 |
|
"Let's catch him together." |
3 |
3 |
Naoto's Persona 4 Golden Social Link, Rank 5
If you're experiencing this scene before 11/6, the first dialogue prompt is skipped; you'll begin with the second instead.
|
Dialogue |
Your Response |
Points Earned With A Matching Persona |
Points Earned Without A Matching Persona |
|---|---|---|---|
|
*sigh* "What should I do…?" |
"Soak it." |
— |
— |
|
"Burn it." |
3 |
2 |
|
|
"Eat it." |
— |
— |
|
|
"'Eating letters with a red face'…? This is…" |
"A riddle." |
— |
— |
|
"A mailbox." |
3 |
2 |
|
|
"A goat." |
— |
— |
|
|
"Grampa had this? Why did he keep it…?" |
"What was that?" |
— |
— |
|
"Good, you got it back." (Requires Rank 5 Understanding) |
3 |
2 |
|
|
"I, er… I think I'll let this play out… And, umm, if possible…" |
"I guess I'll help." |
3 |
2 |
|
"Let's do it." |
3 |
3 |
|
|
"You're on your own." |
Reverses Naoto's social link |
Naoto's Persona 4 Golden Social Link, Rank 6
If you reversed Naoto's social link during her Rank 5 scene, you'll need to spend time with her again to fix your relationship. Naoto's Rank 6 scene will play out the next time you hang out with her after that.
Additionally, Naoto will learn the Invigorate 2 S. Link Skill after this scene.
|
Dialogue |
Your Response |
Points Earned With A Matching Persona |
Points Earned Without A Matching Persona |
|---|---|---|---|
|
"Why you, though…?" |
"Because I looked reliable." |
3 |
2 |
|
"Because we looked 'close'." |
3 |
2 |
|
|
"Because I looked useless." |
3 |
2 |
|
|
"'When the banks close, the fruit tree grows. By the large seven at the third is the spot I chose…'" |
"7 and 3 o'clock, maybe…?" |
— |
— |
|
"The phrasing is suspicious." |
— |
— |
|
|
"The numbers are important." |
3 |
3 |
|
|
"……" |
"I'm glad you're a girl." |
Romance flag |
|
|
"Your gender doesn't matter." |
3 |
3 |
|
|
"Nothing you can do." |
— |
— |
If you're aiming to romance Naoto, choose "I'm glad you're a girl" for the final prompt. This sets up for the romance that begins at Rank 8.
Naoto's Persona 4 Golden Social Link, Rank 7
|
Dialogue |
Your Response |
Points Earned With A Matching Persona |
Points Earned Without A Matching Persona |
|---|---|---|---|
|
"Perhaps the 'minus' part is important…" |
"Maybe it's a math problem." |
— |
— |
|
"Check the other cards again?" |
— |
— |
|
|
"Subtract '40' and '4'?" |
3 |
3 |
|
|
"I feel that… I'm undergoing a change." |
"You'll still be you." |
— |
— |
|
"People change." |
— |
— |
|
|
"Don't be afraid." |
3 |
3 |
Naoto's Persona 4 Golden Social Link, Rank 8
Naoto will learn the Heat Riser S. Link Skill after this scene.
|
Dialogue |
Your Response |
Points Earned With A Matching Persona |
Points Earned Without A Matching Persona |
|---|---|---|---|
|
"We may be able to catch him in the act." |
"You seem happy." |
3 |
2 |
|
"Don't put yourself at risk." |
3 |
2 |
|
|
"I feel kinda sad." |
3 |
3 |
|
|
The man brandished a knife! |
Protect Naoto |
Romance path, proceed to the next prompt |
|
|
Run with Naoto |
Platonic path, scene ends |
||
|
Fight back |
|||
|
"Why…!?" |
"Because I love you." |
Romance path |
|
|
"Because we're friends." |
Platonic path |
Naoto's Persona 4 Golden Social Link, Rank 9
Naoto's Rank 9 scene will be the same regardless of the nature of your relationship following your Rank 8 scene.
|
Dialogue |
Your Response |
Points Earned With A Matching Persona |
Points Earned Without A Matching Persona |
|---|---|---|---|
|
"A place I'd be fond of…?" |
"Somewhere bright." |
— |
— |
|
"Somewhere high." |
3 |
3 |
|
|
"Somewhere quiet." |
— |
— |
|
|
"Next, what I 'can't stand' to do. There are several possibilities, but…" |
"Cooking." |
— |
— |
|
"Exercising." |
— |
— |
|
|
"Throwing things away?" |
3 |
3 |
Naoto's Persona 4 Golden Social Link, Rank 10 (Platonic)
Naoto will learn the Invigorate 3 S. Link Skill after this scene.
|
Dialogue |
Your Response |
Points Earned With A Matching Persona |
Points Earned Without A Matching Persona |
|---|---|---|---|
|
"What about you?" |
"It was a cinch." |
— |
— |
|
"It was exciting." |
— |
— |
|
|
"I was about to give up." |
— |
— |
|
|
"Now you're my assistant!" |
"Leave it to me!" |
— |
— |
|
"I want a promotion." |
— |
— |
|
|
"You're MY assistant." |
— |
— |
Naoto's Persona 4 Golden Social Link, Rank 10 (Romance)
Naoto will learn the Invigorate 3 S. Link Skill after this scene.
|
Dialogue |
Your Response |
Points Earned With A Matching Persona |
Points Earned Without A Matching Persona |
|---|---|---|---|
|
"What about you?" |
"Is it that interesting?" |
— |
— |
|
"Why don't you sit down?" |
— |
— |
|
|
"I can't relax…" |
— |
— |
|
|
"D-Do you find the pitch of my voice strange?" |
"Whatever you prefer." |
— |
— |
|
"I like it higher." |
3 |
3 |
Keep the above in mind to maximize your time with Persona 4 Golden's "Detective Prince," Naoto Shirogane.
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