Served under Dosan Saito and Yoshikage Asakura. While Yoshiaki Ashikaga was under the care of Nobunaga Oda, Mitsuhide Akechi made all preparations for the journey to the capital. Later, he became a vassal for Nobunaga Oda at which time he was awarded control of Omi Shiga territory and became the lord of Sakamoto Castle. His military talents brought him much recognition. He became the governor of Hyuga and began a war against Tanba. Upon defeating Tanba, he became the lord of Kameyama Castle. Immediately afterward, he followed Nobunaga Oda in his attack on Koshu, and then returned to Azuchi Castle to oversee the preparations for a visit from Ieyasu Tokugawa. At the same time, he received the order to lead an attack on Saigoku. He lead his troops out of Kameyama Castle and attacked Honno-ji Temple, forcing the suicide of Nobunaga Oda.