rival chiefs; powerful leaders
Refers to multiple powerful leaders or warlords, often in a historical context of competing for supremacy. Commonly used in the phrase 群雄割拠 (ぐんゆうかっきょ, 'rival warlords dividing the country').
During the Warring States period, rival warlords held their own territories.
rivalry of local warlords; many powerful figures vying for supremacy
Compound of 群 (ぐん, 'group, crowd') and 雄 (ゆう, 'male, hero, leader'), literally 'group of heroes/leaders'. The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the spelling is conventionally associated with the meaning of multiple powerful figures.