Tessaiga's Final Powerup (Possible Spoilers)

[Keroude]

Well to those of you who have been reading the latest know that Inuyasha has vowed from Kikyou's words that he will powerup the Tessaiga up so he can defeat Naraku once in for all..

In the past Inuyasha has done this three times and each time it has gotten quite interesting...

First was against the Dai dragon youkai Ryukotusei, a powerful youkai in which caused the death of his father, Inu no Taishou...and by covering the Tessaiga with his blood when he pierced his heart he gained the ability to use the Kaze no Kizu at will..(Note: The sword always had the power to do the Bakuryuha, Totousai stated that was the sword's ultimate attack theoretically...just no one had been able to pull it off not even Inu Papa until Inuyasha did so.)

The second was when Inuyasha had to rid himself of youkai barriers...so he journied and destroyed Taigoukumaru..the Dai Bat Youkai...along with all the power of the family line that was bestowed in the crystal making the Akai Tessaiga. With this power he was able to destroy ANY barrier. And to this day, that really still is the case. People often say the Akai Tessaiga is just an upgrade of the Kaze no Kizu, but that really isn't just the case. He can turn the blade red and chop the barriers and destroy them as well...as he demonstrated with Naraku's castle...just using the Kaze no Kizu is alot faster..and gets the job done.

The Third powerup was when he cut the Dai Jewel Youkai Housenki, giving him the power to do Kongousouha. Needing this because Naraku's new barriers...(The Akai Tessaiga could break this barrier if not for the nature of the thing. Naraku's barrier absorbs energy and at which he can reflect it back at the user with devistating consequences...Inuyasha always launches the Kaze no Kizu with the Akai Tessaiga so he merely absorbed it because the attack is of course energy. If Inuyasha would have merely turned the blade red and chopped it the barrier would have shattered. But of course Naraku floating around, he would never allow Inuyasha to touch him.) But with Kongousouha, he finally had an attack that didn't use energy, and he shattered the barrier with a high powered attack...but an enemy who keeps regenerating was still the case...so Inuyasha's problem is still not over..

He vowes to power his sword up..but he will need a Dai youkai powerful enough to do so..so who do you think he will slay to do so? And what do you think the new move will be like? Post some ideas if you want..and please be serious about it all..

My prediction is it will be Kikyou..and yes I know she isnt a youkai, but what she has become something that is neither alive, dead, or even in between..she is just "something else". And with merging with Midoriko..that just scares me ...so getting a powerup from her wouldn't be all that far fetched. The Tessaiga I'm guessing would become something like the "Holy Tessaiga" or "Sacred Tessaiga" will the ability to purify anything...that would be quite interesting..

Of course I think theres something that Takahashi-sama has yet to reveal about Naraku, and I think it will be a big shocker at the end...in which they will have to learn about quickly..but who knows?

So yes lets hear your ideas all!

~Keroude~

[Kuro]

A new attack is too obvious. To tell the truth, I don't even think anyone was really expecting a new attack out of the Nextworld battle. So that was a little bit of a surprise.

At least, it was to me. I'm not sure what I was expecting, actually, but Kongousouha wasn't one of those things...

---

I don't really think Inuyasha will actually get any new attacks or anything. I can't really see him killing Kikyou for the sake of that, either. That's not Inuyasha. He was reluctant to kill a stranger like Housenki, I don't see why he'd kill someone he loves, like Kikyou.

I actually think they're going to leave the purification things up to the miko. Kagome, Kikyou, and Midoriko. And I think Inuyasha's "power-up" is going to me more akin to what happened to him in 355. I'm saying that partially because it's what I HOPE for (Joukasareta Inu is t3h SEX!), but I just think that's one of the best things for him. To be strong himself, rather than his sword.

I'm seriously just along for the ride these days, so I'm not really even going to hazard any guesses. Inuyasha isn't as predictable to me as people always whine about. I mean, sure, it's formulaic in some senses, but it still keeps you guessing. And that's what I love about it. ^_^

[Keroude]

He doesn't have to kill Kikyou..he nearly has to put some of her blood on his blade...I'm thinking it might be Kikyou's will at some point..because she finds alone she doesn't have the power to purify Naraku..(Because of something she didn't see coming about Naraku) and with Midoriko and Kikyo's power in his blade...he very well could have the power..

And about Inuyasha becoming more powerful well...becoming a full youkai might do so but it's still not going to change the fact that Naraku will regenerate everytime...

As for Inuyasha becoming stronger by himself...
We've seen he can be as fast and strong as Sesshoumaru when hes angry or focused...(This is without Tessaiga) but this doesn't happen much..when Inuyasha fights he just swings his sword wildly sometimes like a moronic animal ...he needs to learn the style and grace of fighting like his father and Sesshoumaru..otherwise he's not going to become much stronger in battle stance..I think if Sesshoumaru were to finally care for his brother and teach him the ways of their family..then Inuyasha might finally have what it takes to devise battle plans and finally find his rightful place in the world as his father and mother intended for him...not to just be can outcast hanyou..(No I'm not saying turn into a full youkai)

[fflewddur]

A more refined fighting style would definitely improve Inuyasha's power level. Since Kaze no Kizu, Inuyasha's use of Tetsusaiga has mostly been limited to *SWINGBANGCLASHSWOOPSLASHKILL*, so it'd be nice something a little more complex. Some of the battles Takahashi had drawn for the Ranma ½ fight scenes comes to mind. ^^

As for Kikyou, as a clay body, are we even sure she has blood? Albeit her initial re-introduction to the series, every wound Kikyou has received since then has drawn nothing (the blood from her reappeared death wound following her revival may have been more symbolic than anything, since no blood has appeared from any wound since then). Her skin kind of cracks like clay. Besides, she's completely focused on taking Naraku down herself, and even if she could assist in making Tetsusaiga stronger, wouldn't she have told Inuyasha himself when she informed him it was not strong enough? She's not the kind of person to withhold information like that when it'd be most convenient to give.

Besides, I want to see Joukasareta Inuyasha again, too. That's what I'm hoping for the most. ^^

[demoncat]

Assuming that, for some strange reason, Inuyasha DID try to upgrade Tessaiga using Kikyou (and assuming it's possible), wouldn't that most likely weaken it? I mean, a miko's power purifies youkai power, yes? Therefore, adding Kikyou's miko power to Tessaiga's youkai power would probably be detrimental to both in the long run. So, I don't think that'll happen. More Joukasareta Inuyasha seems possible, but this is Rumiko Takahashi we're talking about, so there are no guaruntees...

[Dia]

I gotta agree with demoncat. Tessaiga uses youki and purification of it would make a weak attack. Plus, InuYasha at this point would rather die than harm a hair on Kikyo's end (*pshhht* loving post mortem is sooo episode 21). I honestly don't know how Rumiko is going to upgrade Inu's sword, before it's going to be "fingered," as the Patchness pointed out, with Kouga's new weapon. My hope is that in the end Rumiko delivers some much desired fan service. Joukasareta InuYasha and Kagome anyone?

[Keroude]

Well hear me out here..

What if Kikyou intended to change Tessaiga all together. If could have been Kikyou's intent for Tessaiga to be broken from the start and be repaired by Inuyasha's fang. It's now part of Inuyasha and the sword I guess isn't completely youkai power anymore but more like a balance..I could be wrong..(It was a hanyou fang)

But remember Kikyou still probably has the desire for Inuyasha to become human whether or not he ends up with her in some freakish way or with Kagome. She currently wants to give the jewel to Naraku and purify him when hes become one with it...(Without the jewel how else would Inuyasha transform?)

We haven't known exactly what Inuyasha's fang being added to the Tessaiga may have completely done...I think ultimately after all is said and done...the Tessaiga might completely change with the power of Kikyou and become a "Sacred Tessaiga" and Inuyasha turning human to wield it.

I would love to see Inuyasha to do this for a few reasons.

1. Theres symbolism in him being human. His biggest fear is Naraku finding out his new moon transformation and killing him. If he were to finish off Naraku as a human and through Kikyou's own plot it would be perfect in every way and damage everything he feared.

Naraku has ALWAYS feared and loathed Kikyou constantly putting his attention into killing and finding her. (He fears her power GREATLY) He despises Inuyasha for getting Kikyou's love obviously. Using this all against him would be sheer ironic and captivating IMO.

AND above all Inuyasha would live his greatest fear and overcome it with great success and thats a true ending to any story.

2. I think theres something up and more with Inuyasha's necklace. We know that it was made by Kikyou, it did protect in movie 3 against Soo'unga and ultimately free him of its control (Yes I knows its a movie but you still must consider it) and well I think it may have more of a purpose than must think than just make Inuyasha fall on his face lol.

3. And finally...its something we wouldn't expect...something Rumiko does alot =P

[SakuraWings]

The kotodama rosary was not made by Kikyou. This was only mentioned in the anime and not the manga.

[Keroude]

We must often get references from the Anime to explain some things as we would need references from the Manga to explain things in the anime, like for instance where did they get Tessaiga's sheath? Never explained that in the anime XD

[fflewddur]

That was explained in the anime, we met the tree youkai that donated its bark.

[Keroude]

I know where the sheath came from, but they never said WHEN or HOW they got it. Obviously Inu's papa had the sheath, just in the tomb it wasn't there and in the next episode he mysteriously had it. Inu probably never met the tree youkai either. Kinda strange.

[e chan21]

Your theory is interesting, but I cant see it happening quite the way you explained.
Inu Yasha sword probably will have another transformation, and maybe that would involve Kikyo, but there is no way Inu Yasha would be able to kill Kikyo. As much as many fans hate it, Inu Yasha is still in love with Kikyo. My predictions for Kikyo's fate keep changing.
I've just about given up in my prediction's as the story keeps changing so rapidly, but I do think it's likely that yes Kikyo may sacrifice herself in order to contribute to the downfall of Naraku. That's all she lives for now, revenge for what he's done. She never wanted to be resurrected, but now that she's here revenge is what she's after.

[SakuraWings]

Keroude said:

We must often get references from the Anime to explain some things as we would need references from the Manga to explain things in the anime, like for instance where did they get Tessaiga's sheath? Never explained that in the anime XD

I agree but when it comes to story kinda stuff and trying to predict what's gonna happen, I consider the manga to be better stuff to go off, since Rumiko is the sole writer of the manga...and the ending of the manga will probably be the ending of the anime.

Anyway, basically I was just trying to say if the rosary should have some kinda significance in the end, it probably won't have anything with Kikyou, since Rumiko never actually described how the rosary's origins...

[fflewddur]

Ah, great. So now Tetsusaiga's "powerup" seemingly has reversed to a possible "powering down." So now what? The sword that's defeated every enemy so far and has been slanted to kick off Naraku since page 1 suddenly isn't the hot shot anymore? I know we've been complaing that Inuyasha uses Tetsusaiga TOO much, but weakening it doesn't seem like a fantastic option... and Inuyasha didn't seem all that enthusiastic about it, neither.

Ahh well, until next week!

[Kuro]

C'mon, Inu. Get with the program and power YOURSELF up, rather than just your sword! XD

Prospect of Inuyasha losing to Datsuki = Takahashi's way of building Sword!Drama. Mwahaha. Cause like Ryuukossei, it would be really pointless if Inu were to go into battle and not have anything at stake!

Of course, I like the premise behind Ryuukossei better, in a way. "Inuyasha, you DO realize you're going up against the bastard who took down your father, right?" "OF COURSE I DO! NOW WATCH ME KICK HIS ASS!"

Now it's like, "Inuyasha, you DO realize that you're going up against something that will give you sword impotence, right?" "OF COURSE I DO! NOW WATCH ME KICK HIS ASS!"

Heehee. Ah well. If Inuyasha does, in fact, lose Tessaiga, it'll be interesting to see what that will do for him. More Pure!Inu, perhaps? A fangirl can keep wishing.