In 1582, things seemed to be coming up roses for Oda Nobunaga. Central Japan was firmly under his control, and the handful of rival clans he hadn't already defeated were seriously weakened by internal affairs. But all was not as well as it appeared, since there was a traitor in his ranks. While it's not clear why Akechi Mitsuhide chose to betray Nobunaga, the fact is that he turned against him. So Mitsuhide led his troops into Kyoto under the pretense of following Nobunaga's order to reinforce the Siege of Takamatsu, only to surround and attack the Kyoto temple Honnō-ji where Nobunaga and a handful of his retainers were at the time. Nobunaga committed seppuku in the burning temple. Mitsuhide attempted to become the new master of former Oda territories, but he was defeated at the Battle of Yamazaki by Toyotomi Hideyoshi and killed by bandits as he tried to flee.
Suppose this didn't happen. Let's say Mitsuhide stayed loyal to Nobunaga or his betrayal attempt failed. What would be different? Would Nobunaga have been able to take over all of Japan?
Suppose this didn't happen. Let's say Mitsuhide stayed loyal to Nobunaga or his betrayal attempt failed. What would be different? Would Nobunaga have been able to take over all of Japan?