In August 1553, the troops of Echigo led by Kagetora advances to Kawanakajima of Shinano and the first battle of Kawanakajima breaks out. Foreseeing that Kagetora’s target is to behead Harunobu, Kansuke counterplots by not fighting back but instead drags Kagetora south. Usami, a general of the Nagao family, detects Kansuke’s plot and shifts their course toward Fukashi Castle, Tadeda’s strategic point in Shinano, for the purpose of decoying Harunobu towards the battle field.
