When Hideyoshi HASHIBA gained his influence after Nobunaga died in the Honno-ji Incident in June 1582, Kagenao supported Katsuie SHIBATA together with his older brother.
天正10年（1582年）6月、本能寺の変で信長が死去して羽柴秀吉（豊臣秀吉）が台頭すると、兄と共に柴田勝家に味方した。