Momoshiki Otsutsuki's net of blades seemed poised to shred Naraku, but its true purpose was merely to force him to face Ōtsutsuki Isshiki's surprise attack head-on.
If he dodged sideways, the net of blades would entangle him.
If he blocked with Kurikara, the opening in front of him would leave him exposed to the fine needles Isshiki had shrunk his black chakra rods into.
Even if Shihōin Naraku used Space-Time Ninjutsu, they had nothing to fear.
With Momoshiki and Isshiki's reaction speeds, they could seize the instant he activated Space-Time Ninjutsu to launch another offensive.
Against any conventional Six Paths level opponent, this coordination could already be called flawless.
But Naraku had no intention of backing down at all.
After fighting them for a while, he had gradually figured out Momoshiki and Isshiki's combat rhythms and styles.
He had far too many ways to deal with the two of them.
He drew his left foot back half a step, abruptly lowered his center of gravity, and spun Kurikara's hilt once in his palm.
During that seemingly casual rotation, Kurikara's edge swept precisely across the flight paths of the five invisible chakra needles.
The needle tips struck the dark blade with five crisp chimes that almost blended into one, sparks bursting in the air before dying out.
Then Naraku continued to lower his body and pushed off with one foot. The ground exploded, and he slid forward almost flush against it.
He evaded Momoshiki's slashing sword, its edge sweeping less than half an inch above his head.
As he slid, Kurikara in his right hand swept upward with the momentum, its edge aimed straight beneath Isshiki's ribs.
Isshiki's pupils abruptly contracted, and he forcibly pulled back his attack and retreated.
Although he had already decided to stake his life on this