Umunosuke was observing the family of Tadayasu NAKAYAMA around this time under the secret orders of KONDO, but since Heisuke TODO, who accompanied him reported to Satsuma han (Satsuma Domain), he failed to quell the Tobaku no micchoku (the imperial order to Satsuma han to subjugate bakufu).
有無之助はこの前後、近藤の密命で中山忠能家を探索していたが同行した藤堂平助が薩摩藩と通じていたため倒幕の密勅を差し押さえることに失敗。