Nobunaga interpreted this as disloyalty to both the shogun and the emperor, prompting him to raise an army and march on Echizen.
[2] The next day, Nobunaga's forces besieged Kanegasaki Castle,[2] which was held by Maeba Yoshitsugu.
Meanwhile, Azai Nagamasa, who had long been allied with the Asakura, led an army to relieve Kanegasaki Castle with help from the Rokkaku clan and Ikkō-ikki.
[citation needed] Realizing that he was surrounded by enemy forces, Nobunaga retreated from Kanegasaki.
Ikeda Katsumasa led 3,000 soldiers to aid in his escape, while Akechi Mitsuhide and Tōkichirō served as the rear guard.