A few miscellanious notes:
     In STM novel "Washuu", Washuu notes that Juraians are far
ahead of others in the field of bioengineering.  This is
demonstrated when a single Juraian warrior wipes the floor with
some pirates making trouble.  While she had access (probably due
to Goddess Washuu) to Jurai's database (the Royal Trees), she came
across many of Jurai's secrets in that field.  However, someone or
something (possibly Tsunami) detects her, suddenly cuts off her
access, and wipes all of Washuu's backups.  Still, Washuu has her
memories and uses them in her research, which ultimately produces
the Masu-hybrids, including Kagato and Ryouko.

     Jurai's body reinforcement process is still far ahead of all
others, with the possible exception of Washuu (because of the
database incident), so it is not surprising that Aeka can (without
her Tree), match Ryouko, pound for pound.  However, Ryouko is both
a Masu-hybrid and derived from one of Washuu's gametes
(specifically an egg), which gives her a wider range of abilities.
 The most important one is the ability to use Washuu's jewels for
power, but there are additional functions built into Ryouko.  When
Ryouko has a jewel in her lef wrist, it increases her offensive
power and provides her with the ability to summon creatures and
communicate with Ryo-Oh-Ki.  When she has a jewel in her right
wrist, it increases her defensive power and provides her with the
ability to control the creatures that she summons or dispel them.
 The functions provided when she has a gem in her neck has not
been mentioned, to my knowledge.

     Unfortunately, Ryouko's Masu body does have a serious
weakness.  Masu are simple creatures that simply follow the
strongest will in close proximity.  This means that one Masu
organism (or possibly a very strong telepath) can override the
will of another by simply having a stronger will.  This is
demonstrated by Kagato, Washuu, and Ryo-Oh-Ki (another
Masu-hybrid).  Kagato easily overrode Ryouko's will several times:
rendering her unconscious at the onsen, controlling her like a
puppet against Tenchi and Youshou, turning her into stone, and
destroying her tectite golem.  Washuu, who is a high level ESPer
(this is mentioned in the STM Novel "Washuu", but is pretty
apparent in the OVAs) overrode Kagato's will by turning Ryouko
back into flesh.  Ryo-Oh-Ki's desire to help Tenchi is what caused
Masu, normally very passive creatures, to escape Washuu's lab and
go to Tenchi.  It was also her will that enabled her to control
and absorb the Masu lifeform, giving her a humanoid form... or
perhaps simply accelerating her natural ability to assume one. 

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