Though the smoke of war had cleared in Kyoto, the Miyoshi clan's banners still fluttered in the wind on the Settsu horizon. They concentrated their forces at Fumonji Castle in Tomita, like a wounded beast licking its wounds, waiting for an opportunity to strike back. Seiryu-ji Temple, Akutagawa Castle, Koshimizu Castle... each fortress, manned by their trusted generals, formed a seemingly impenetrable defense, attempting to stop the conqueror from Kyoto.
However, Oda Nobunaga's reputation was its own most formidable weapon. When he and Ashikaga Yoshiaki's allied forces reached their target, the Miyoshi clan's morale melted like ice in the sun. Iwanari Tomomichi, who guarded Seiryu-ji Temple, surrendered without even waiting for the drums to sound. Generals like Miyoshi Nagayoshi and Miyoshi Masayasu, terrified, abandoned their cities and fled. Suddenly, the garrisons of Settsu and Kawachi castles followed suit, and the powerful families of Yamato also rushed to submit their surrender. With virtually no bloodshed, Nobunaga completely shattered the Miyoshi clan's painstakingly constructed defenses.
To make matters worse, the Miyoshi clan's shogun, Ashikaga Yoshihide, died at this very moment. The collapse of this last political pillar completely eroded their foundation in the capital. The remaining Miyoshi forces, like a receding tide, fled hastily back to their strongholds in Awaji and Awa, Shikoku.
Nobunaga calmly entered Akutagawa Castle and took command of the central army, his gaze moving beyond the immediate victory to the greater cause. His impressive military achievements and the order he brought finally gave the long-turbulent imperial court a glimmer of hope. The imperial envoy, Manrikoji Sukefusa, personally visited the military camp, bringing the emperor's condolences and recognition—not only an honor, but also a testament to legitimacy.
After the war, a meticulously orchestrated political extravaganza unfolded within Akutagawa Castle. Nobunaga and Ashikaga Yoshiaki jointly presided over the situation, actively courting the surrendering powerful families. He married his sister to Hatakeyama Takamasa's adopted son, Akihiko, and gifted Iimori Castle to him. He also gave Hosokawa Nobuyoshi a castle to continue the family line. He even returned Takaya Castle to its original owner, Miyoshi Yoshitsugu, and gave Shiki Castle to the renowned Matsunaga Hisahide. Generals like Ikeda, Itami, and Wada also found their proper places, demonstrating Nobunaga's unconventional and generous leadership. This series of actions, combining kindness and force, served as an invisible net, tightly encircling various factions under his command.
Once the capital region was completely stabilized, Nobunaga and Yoshiaki returned triumphantly. Ashikaga Yoshiaki took up residence in the Hosokawa family's former residence, finally securing his position as Shogun. Oda Nobunaga, on the other hand, took up residence at Honno-ji Temple, using it as a base to begin re-establishing order.
He demonstrated exceptional governance: he ordered the daimyo to pay "ya-zen" (military funds) to the imperial court and levied fair taxes based on the wealth of their territories, thereby restructuring the finances and re-establishing the imperial court's authority. He also drastically abolished numerous customs posts, facilitating trade routes and injecting vitality into the war-torn land.
Most intriguing is the shifting relationship between Nobunaga and Yoshiaki. Ashikaga Yoshiaki, once displaced, was deeply grateful to Nobunaga, his "rebirth benefactor," even revering him as his "father." Meanwhile, Oda Nobunaga, reaching the pinnacle of power, shed his former domineering demeanor and displayed remarkable prudence and modesty. He repeatedly declined high positions, generous salaries, and rewards from the imperial court. The ambition and foresight hidden beneath his modesty struck all observers as unfathomable.
The world seemed to be in his grasp, yet it seemed only the first step in his grand ambitions.