In August 1080, he attained the highest position as an aristocrat, Daijo Daijin, but two months later, Morozane's foster daughter and Emperor Shirakawa's favorite wife, FUJIWARA no Kenshi worked to have an order given to make Morozane, who was Kanpaku Sadaijin (minister of the left) at that time, as the top of all aristocrats (in other words, higher in position than Nobunaga).
1080年（承暦4年）8月公家中最高位の地位である太政大臣に至ったものの、師実の養女で白河天皇の寵愛していた后・藤原賢子の計らいで2ヵ月後関白左大臣である師実が全公卿の筆頭（つまり信長より上位）とする勅命が出された。