During the Ansei Purge which began in August of 1858, he became a wanted man as Naosuke viewed him as a dangerous member of the Sonno Joi School, leading him to flee Kyoto with Takamori.
1858年（安政5年）8月から始まった安政の大獄で直弼から尊皇攘夷派の危険人物の一人として見なされて追われる身となり、隆盛と共に京都を脱出する。