After his melee or gun fire, aims to counter his attack. Dash in range, and strike once there’s an opening.
After Shirafuji attacks, he will have a large opening.To chip away at his health, try the hit and run tactic.
To keep your distance between shirafuji, remember to use your dash.
2nd combat tip: Memorize the melee attacks.
You can easily predict what kind of attack your enemy will use by how close he gets to you before attacking. If he comes at you from the right, expect a single attack.
When he reeled up to the right, it's usually a triple combo.
Counter attack on his openings after memorizing his attack patterns.
3rd combat tip: You should use zabimaru prosthetic tool.
By striking shirafuji with this tool, you may inflict poison damage.
When poisoned, shirafuji will take damage over time. When fighting shirafuji, this is extremely helpful.
This tool is ideal to use in the second phase and viable to use in the 1st phase to lower his health as much as you can.
Notable Attacks
1st notable Attack: Gun Fire.
When you are in range, use this attack.
There are two kinds of wind-up for this attack: short and long. However, they can both be avoided by moving to the side.
While reeling up close in after his shot to counter, the enemy will be vulnerable.
If you attack from behind, you can strike twice. If there are openings, try to get to his back.
2nd notable Attack: Melee kick gun combo.
When transitioning from kick to gun shot, you can cancel his attack if your attack connects.
After the kick if you want to play it safe, you can also choose to dodge to the side.
3rd notable Attack: Melee Gun Combo.
After dashing away from the gunshot, you can charge attack.
Seeing him ready his guns, it is safer to dodge to the side once.
4th notable Attack: Perilous Attack.
You can evade this attack by jumping/stepping backwards, though the attack is powerful.
Be sure to dodge because this attack is unblockable.
If you manage to dash in range after evading, there is also an opening for a single slash.