 In the period immediately following the battle, Date Yoshikuni was consulted by Matsudaira Nobunori, lord of Aizu Domain, who wished to use the Date clan's as-yet unmarred reputation in the eyes of the Satchō Alliance in order to achieve leniency for his father, Matsudaira Katamori.However, traditional rivalries between the domains of eastern and western Japan, and the arrogant behavior of emissaries sent by the Satchō Alliance, such as Sara Shuzo forced Yoshikuni's hand, and he eventually became the somewhat reluctant leader of the Ōuetsu Reppan Dōmei.He was appointed shōgun by Prince Kitashirakawa Yoshihisa, who had declared himself the northern emperor, "Tōbu".