While working as a guard for Innomiya (Imperial Prince Asahiko), he knew patriots from various provinces and came to be entrusted by senior vassals, such as Tatewaki KOMATSU, a chief retainer (karo).
尹宮（朝彦親王）附きの守衛列藩を務めるなど諸国の志士たちと交際し、家老・小松帯刀ら藩の重臣から重用されるようになった。