Yoshimasa, having lost against Masakado, went to Yoshikane for help, and Yoshikane, who had been watching quietly from the sidelines, as the head of the clan after the death of Kunika, could not refuse to come to his aid, so he recruited Kunika's son, TAIRA no Sadamori, built up an army and left Kazusa Province on July 22, 936, to attack Masakado, but was ambushed by Masakado and fled in defeat, seeking protection from the kokuga (provincial government office) in Shimotsuke Province (Tochigi Prefecture)
将門に敗れた良正は良兼に救いを求め、静観していた良兼も国香亡き後の一族の長として放ってもおけず、国香の子の平貞盛を誘って軍勢を集め、承平6年（936年）6月26日上総国を発ち将門を攻めるが、将門の奇襲を受けて敗走、下野国（栃木県）の国衙に保護を求めた。