Could my best friend be a narcissist or a manipulator? He frequently threatens to end our friendship but returns whenever he needs something from me or feels like talking. He never takes responsibility for his actions, often gaslights me, and insists on having his way when it's just the two of us. This leads to arguments because he can't compromise. However, if we're with others, he goes along with whatever they want to gain their approval. He gets angry at me even when I'm justifiably upset, ghosts me, and blames me for all his problems. He has anger issues but will never admit to it. He's easily triggered. Moreover, when he's angry, he's said so many hurtful things to me (you're pathetic, I don't need you, I'm so much happier without you, you're untalented etc). And when he stops feeling mad, I confront him about this and he just said "I was mad. I didn't mean it. sorry." and he completely moves on and never talks about it again. He's told me several times he's gonna cut me off and that he's unhappy. But I know he doesn't mean it usually. For example: he asked me for money to spend at a store. I trusted him and gave him my card. He irresponsibly used double the amount that I said he could use. When I confronted him, he said sorry. Then he got mad when I got even more angry. And he blocked me. Then, he started going off on me and saying he's so much happier without me. It's not like he never gives me anything in return. It's just that I've done so much as a friend and sometimes I'm met with no appreciation. And the fact that he could say "I'm cutting you off" after everything I've done. He never wants to communicate about our friendship problems. And I thought he cared about our friendship because he told me he did. Like in the most meaningful way. However, as of recently he doesn't show as much appreciation as before because he just expects it from me.

Lastly, how can I manipulate a manipulator? How can I be better at his own game?