> > This is also contrary to what I have read.  In fact
> > I've never read anywhere on any sites or in any posts
> > that Yosho gave Funaho to Tenchi and that the Master
> > Key is the key to Tsunami.  Kagato's own words say the
> > sword is useless when cut off from Tsunami's power
> > thus implying it was the Key to Tsunami.  Also, Kagato
> > was trying to get his hands on the Master Key.  He
> > wants Tsunami so why bother with capturing a second
> > generation tree like Funaho that cannot turn into a
> > ship anymore?
> 
> I think we're talking at cross purposes here.  I never meant to imply that Kagato
wanted
> Funaho or that the significance of the master sword was only that it was Funaho's
key.
> Also, I think it's a bit unclear from ep5 and 6 whether or not Kagato wanted the
sword or
> Ryoko's Gems in the sword or both. 
> 

Kagato was put off track by the name of the sword.  It wasn't until Kagato sliced
Tenchi and was almost dead that he understood at least in part.  Kagato wanted Tenchi-ken
to get to Tsunami.  He wanted Ryoko's gems to increase Souja's power.
Tenchi-ken wasn't important to him once he actually had Tsunami in his grasp. 

>   No, there is too much evidence in
> > support of the idea that the Master Key is the key to
> > Tsunami and that Yosho did not give Funaho to Tenchi. 
> > He doesn't need a royal tree since he himself has his
> > own power.  I've done a search of several sites and
> > found nothing that supports your claims. 
> 
> I'm not meaning to claim anything.  Looking around, I know where I got the idea.
It was
> from the Hasegawa story where she states that Kiyone was injured in the bonding
ritual.
> I don't know if she got that from Kajishima or not, but I think I've seen it elsewhere
as
> well.
> nik

Remember, Hasegawa-sensei stories are not canon, thus shouldn't be given any real
weight (whether there are potential clues there or not).

As for Kiyone, I highly doubt she had access to a royal tree.  For starters, Yosho
was still "officially" MIA.  So how could his daughter gain access to a royal tree?
While I've no doubt that Kiyone was a space traveler, I suspect she had a GP ship

or the like (I wonder what Tennyo travels in). 

As for the bonding process, trees pick their partners.  From what I recall in GXP,
this isn't something that would cause either to be injured.  Besides, if a tree picked
someone and that person wasn't suitable, then that would bring into question the
wisdom and intelligence of the tree.