The Hatano clan had been working for Nagayoshi (Chokei) MIYOSHI since the death of Hideharu's grandfather Tanemichi HATANO, and Hideharu was at first a vassal of the Miyoshi clan.
波多野氏は秀治の祖父・波多野稙通の死後から三好長慶に服属していたため、秀治は最初は三好氏の家臣であった。