Witnessing the decline of the Ouchi and the Amago clan in Aki Province, he began to re-evaluate his position as a minor lord who was entrusted with watching out for more powerful daimyo.
しかし大内・尼子氏の安芸国内における影響力の低下を受けて、常に大大名の顔色を窺う小領主の立場から脱却を考えるようになる。