He was both wise and adept at the martial arts, much like his father, and his competence was known far and wide while he was still young, allied with Hidehisa MATSUNAGA he fought back Yoshikata ROKKAKU, who invaded Kyoto, also he won a great victory in the Battle of Imoriyama Castle in 1562 against Takamasa HATAKEYAMA's troops, which were reknowned for their braveness and valor.
父に劣らず智勇に秀で、六角義賢が京都に侵攻して来た時も松永久秀と協力してこれを撃退し、永禄5年（1562年）には河内国飯盛山城の戦いで勇猛で鳴る畠山高政の軍勢に大勝するなど、若い頃からその有能さを天下に示していた。