When Yoshiaki, who was protected by the Mori clan, built an anti-Nobunaga network, Katsuie fought in various places including Omi Province and Settsu Province as a powerful military commander of the Oda army.
が、毛利氏に保護された義昭により信長包囲網が敷かれると、織田軍の有力武将として近江国、摂津国など各地を転戦する。