Sesshoumaru is repeatedly said to desire power to further his quest for supreme conquest, yet he is not shown to be gathering power through any means used by other youkai shown through the series. He did not want anything to do with the Shikon Jewel, besides that brief stint with the human arm, and then only as a means to use the Tessaiga. He is not shown to steal power from other youkai, through any means. He is not shown to steal holy power from priests and priestesses, as several youkai throughout the series attempt and/or succeed. Sesshoumaru is not shown to be training in particular, like Inuyasha does at one or two points, presumably because he has trained as far as he could at the time.
The only 'power' Sesshoumaru is shown trying to get is the weapon, Tessaiga. Made from his father's fang, by rights Sesshoumaru has a claim as first born son. So he might not view taking it as theft. He never attempts stealth or subterfuge in order to attain it, he always makes an obvious arrival, declares his intent, and toys with Inuyasha and battles with him. It appears to me that he is attempting to 'win' it almost. To the victor goes the spoils etc.
Also, the sword is not power. It is a tool, an instrument through which to channel power and skill. It would allow Sesshoumaru to have a means through which to channel his power, something he apparently is incapable of doing naturally to much effect. Many people (myself included) take Sesshoumaru's light/acid/youki/jyaki whip thingy to be canon, though it is not found in the manga.
In the manga, Sesshoumaru is incredibly powerful, yet lacking any non-physical means of harnessing it (besides possibly spraying his acid from his claws, though this too may be purely physical), unlike most other youkai capable of a humanoid form, that we are shown, anyway.
Sesshoumaru went through multiple arms, using them as temporary replacements. They were unable to cope with his power being channelled through them and quickly burnt out. Perhaps this is the case with any weapons he has tried? It was certainly the case with Tokijin. Even though it was made from fangs strong enough to break Tessaiga, it was unable to meet the demands he placed upon it. In the third movie, Sesshoumaru comments on the limits of the sword, implying he could channel more through a better conduit.
I believe Sesshoumaru wishes to increase his own power along with his mastery of it, through 'honourable' means. He has plenty of power, only seeming to be lacking effective means of releasing it.
Any thoughts?
|