"Of course not." Even with that trick with the whip it was too slow and its attack pattern too obvious for him to catch Sephiroth with it. The next jutsu he used as he advanced was a wind release designed to toss an enemy into the air or bring an airborne one to the ground depending on which way he oriented it.

This time, he jumped as he executed the jutsu, hoping to catch Sephiroth mid air where he couldn't dodge as easily.