hmm...I guess that could make sense, since he's making Naoto and himself separate from the main group, the main group separate from him and Naoto and disguising his attack all at the same time. If nothing else it gives him somewhere to go later on power-wise. Plus I don't want him to be some super-duper powerful Mary-Sue-whatever even if he's more than competent for a thirteen year old.
Now just trying to decide if Naoto's latest tactic should just hit him and be the end of things.