Had he been facing his former enemies, Shihōin Naraku would not have been so cautious.
He had once frequently unleashed all kinds of ninjutsu against his enemies, but after his strength increased dramatically, Naraku could not even be bothered to do that.
He preferred to draw his blade and charge in, finishing his opponents in close combat.
The Zanpakutō Kurikara gave him the confidence to do so.
Of course, abilities such as Observation Haki and the Mera Mera no Mi's elementalization also indirectly kept him safe in dangerous close-quarters clashes.
But against Kaguya Ōtsutsuki, a formidable enemy whose strength already surpassed his, he had to be more cautious if he wanted to do that.
Otherwise, he would suffer for it.
After all, it had been a long time since Naraku had been injured by an enemy's attack.
Especially internally.
Yet his very first exchange with Kaguya had left him with internal injuries, though they were not serious.
Even so, it was a lesson.
So he had to be careful. Against a powerful enemy like Kaguya, the consequences of carelessness were obvious.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh...
Naraku's figure became a streak of light, flashing through the sky as he searched for an opening to attack Kaguya.
Kaguya tried to track Naraku's Flying Thunder God movements with her Byakugan, but his speed, combined with his wealth of combat experience, still left her feeling somewhat hampered, accustomed as she was to overpowering others with brute force.
"Getsuga Tenshō!"
A black crescent-shaped blade light flashed past, severing the silver hair wrapped around Naruto.
Kaguya's movements faltered. Her cold gaze instantly swept over Naraku as he vanished again, her anger looking far more apparent than before.
Black Zetsu reminded her quietly, "Mother, the Space-Time Ninjutsu Shihōin Naraku uses requires marks to be placed in advance.