Ii's Akazonae (red arms) were renowned around the country as the most elite force among Sengoku (warring provinces) during the Azuchi Momoyama Period, however, there seem to have been many vassals who couldn't stand the strict military discipline of Naomasa and left to serve Tadakatsu HONDA instead.
井伊の赤備えは、戦国屈指の先鋭部隊として安土・桃山時代の初期から末期にかけて天下に名を轟かせていたが、家臣達の中には直政による厳しい軍律に耐えられなくなり、本多忠勝の下に去る者達も多かったという。