Akechi Mitsuhide
The Hatano clan's land, however, was situated in the way of Oda Nobunaga's passage to Kyoto and after several battles, Hideharu surrendered to Nobunaga's general Akechi Mitsuhide. In 1576, Hideharu declared independence and turned against Nobunaga. Infuriated, Nobunaga again ordered Mitsuhide to invade Tanba Province, but Hideharu remained in the castle and held together a resistance for three years. The leader of the Hatano Clan's retainers, the Akai clan, Akai Naomasa, also known as Hatano Naomasa, died defending the Hatano stronghold of Kuroi Castle against Akechi Mitsuhide at the start of the resistance in 1576.