Wow this got oddly moral

You're still too soft, Youmu.

This reminds me of a fable in my country... can't put my finger on it. But I do remember it vaguely growing up.

If we wanted to get technical, a tiny, barely noticeable cut is still a cut.

Manly tears... *clenches fist*

And that there was no such thing as a sword that can cut anything.

Just as it should.

The sword can still slice Youki. Whether or not Youmu is willing to is another question entirely, one that doesn't depend on Hakorouken being able to cut everything.

ThunderBird said:
The sword can still slice Youki. Whether or not Youmu is willing to is another question entirely, one that doesn't depend on Hakorouken being able to cut everything.

But the Hakurouken cannot wield itself (most swords, even magical ones, can't). Regardless of how sharp a blade it is, it must be wielded by Youmu herself, so she shouldn't mistake the swords strength for her own.

The moral that "there is no such thing as a sword that can cut anything" refers more to the fact that swords in Japanese culture are seen as extensions of the samurai him/herself, and regardless of the blade's quality, it is ultimately limited by what the wielder is capable of. Hakurouken may indeed be sharp enough to cut anythig, but Youmu herself lacks the skill and/or will to cut through anything, and so she still has much to learn... as do you, young grasshopper!

OmniGman said:
But the Hakurouken cannot wield itself (most swords, even magical ones, can't). Regardless of how sharp a blade it is, it must be wielded by Youmu herself, so she shouldn't mistake the swords strength for her own.

The moral that "there is no such thing as a sword that can cut anything" refers more to the fact that swords in Japanese culture are seen as extensions of the samurai him/herself, and regardless of the blade's quality, it is ultimately limited by what the wielder is capable of. Hakurouken may indeed be sharp enough to cut anythig, but Youmu herself lacks the skill and/or will to cut through anything, and so she still has much to learn... as do you, young grasshopper!

Point taken, I did not consider the cultural aspects...

That said, there are several legends of swords fighting 'on their own': in Malay culture, the Keris Taming Sari would leave its scabbard on its own and attack anyone who menaced its owner, Hang Tuah, and the Norse god Frey had a sword that struck against "Jotuns of its own accord".
Also, Fred Sabenhagen's "The Twelve Swords of Power" series features swords that possess the wielder's arm to do the fighting for him/her, but that's a modern fantasy series.

The most hilarious thing here tha Hakurouken, in fact, CAN cut Youki without any bad consequenses. It will just dispel confusion in Youki's heart. Well, it's still slightly painful, but hey.

ThunderBird said:
Point taken, I did not consider the cultural aspects...

That said, there are several legends of swords fighting 'on their own': in Malay culture, the Keris Taming Sari would leave its scabbard on its own and attack anyone who menaced its owner, Hang Tuah, and the Norse god Frey had a sword that struck against "Jotuns of its own accord".
Also, Fred Sabenhagen's "The Twelve Swords of Power" series features swords that possess the wielder's arm to do the fighting for him/her, but that's a modern fantasy series.

That's pretty neat! Thanks for that bit of mythology trivia!

Moruno said:
The most hilarious thing here tha Hakurouken, in fact, CAN cut Youki without any bad consequenses. It will just dispel confusion in Youki's heart. Well, it's still slightly painful, but hey.

Good point. I forgot Roukanken is supposed to be the one for physical cutting. That said, I would think it's more the mental issue of Youmu being unwilling to wield a sword against her beloved grandfather, even if it is one that can't seriously injure him.