In 1579 he subdued Naoie UKITA, a warlord of Bizen province and Mimasaka province after the offensive and defensive battle against MORI clan over Uezuki Castle, and took an advantage in the battle against MORI, but he was forced to interrupt to conquer Chugoku region because of the betrayal by Murashige ARAKI of Settsu province.
天正7年（1579年）には、上月城を巡る毛利氏との攻防（上月城の戦い）の末、備前国・美作国の大名宇喜多直家を服属させ、毛利氏との争いを有利にすすめるものの、摂津国の荒木村重が反旗を翻したことにより、秀吉の中国経略は一時中断を余儀なくされる。