As the conflict between Yoshiaki and Nobunaga began to surface, he worked hard to intercede with both of them, but in March 1573, after his admonitions to Yoshiaki against taking arms fell on deaf ears, he welcomed the entry of Nobunaga's army into Kyoto and signaled his allegiance to him.
義昭と信長の対立が表面化すると使者として両者の仲介に奔走したが、元亀4年（1573年）3月に義昭が挙兵するとこれを諫めて聞き入れられなかったため、軍勢を率いて上洛した信長を出迎えて恭順の姿勢を示した。