Nobunaga, having conquered central Japan by the…

Nobunaga, having conquered central Japan by the spring of 1582, is attempting to extend his hegemony over western Japan.

He has overthrown the old order of fractionized power held by the daimyo and has paved the way for the political and economic unification of a country rent for over a century by incessant civil warfare.

Having brought nearly half of the provinces of Japan under his control, he has nearly succeeded in unifying Japan when he is wounded in June 1582 at Honnoji Temple during the rebellion of discontented vassal Akechi Mitsuhide and commits suicide.

Hideyoshi, his most brilliant general, quickly avenges the death by defeating Mitsuhide at the Battle of Yamazaki and moves to assume Nobunaga's preeminent political position.

Mori Terumoto makes peace with Hideyoshi, whose trusted general he becomes.