While Nobunaga replied that he would send the troops of Mitsuhide AKECHI, who had subjugated Tanba Province, but gave strict orders to conquer Bitchu Takamatsu-jo Castle as soon as possible, Hideyoshi, alarmed and frustrated, heard his strategist Kanbei Yoshitaka KURODA offer an idea of using inundation tactics.
信長からは丹波国を平定させた明智光秀の軍を送るとの返事を得たものの、1日も早く備中高松城を落城させよという厳しい命が下り、秀吉が不安と焦りに駆られていたころ、軍師・黒田官兵衛孝高が水攻めの策を進言した。