It was not until around 1560 when Takamoto was appointed as "Shugo" (Military Governor) of Aki Province (emerging from his position as the leader of the allied dogo) that the Mori clan truly united the province by reorganizing the kokujin lords, who were still little more than village chiefs, making them their retainers.
毛利氏がこうした土豪の集団的盟主という立場から脱却して、土豪連合的な要素の強かった安芸国人衆の再編成と毛利家の家臣への編入を通じて、名実ともに毛利氏による安芸統一が完成する事になるのは隆元が安芸国守護に任じられた永禄3年（1560年）頃とされている。