An order to conquer the rebellious Choshu forces was issued, and Yoshikatsu TOKUGAWA (the lord of Owari) was appointed as commander-in-chief, and Takamori SAIGO (a feudal retainer of Satsuma), as military staff, but Saigo tried to avoid the military conflict, understanding the disadvantages of the conflict after discussions with Kaishu KATSU, who served for the bakufu.
逆賊となった長州藩に長州征討が発令され、総大将に徳川慶勝（尾張藩主）、参謀に西郷隆盛（薩摩藩士）が任命されるが、幕臣・勝海舟との会談で長州藩への実力行使の不利を悟った西郷は、開戦回避を模索。