In 1328 the young and energetic Andronikos III Palaiologos succeeded his grandfather on the Byzantine throne. One of the leading Chian nobles, Leo Kalothetos, went on behalf of the Chian population to meet the new emperor and his chief minister, John Kantakouzenos, to propose a reconquest of the island. Andronikos III readily agreed, and, finding a pretext in Martino's unauthorized construction of a fortress, sailed with a large fleet against him.
In 1328, Andronikos III Palaiologos ascended to the Byzantine throne following his grandfather. Leo Kalothetos, a leading Chian noble, approached the new emperor and his advisor John Kantakouzenos on behalf of the Chians to propose reclaiming their island. Andronikos III readily agreed, citing Martino's unauthorized construction of a fortress as justification, and subsequently led an expeditionary fleet against him.