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Hey, Yori’s unknown superpower is something we’ve known all along! But he did, perhaps, need the reminder. Now it’s time to refine him into a two sword wielding badass!

Joe has compiled the times that Yori has used his left hand/gone dual swords without thinking about it. Perhaps to make it look as if we planned this!

http://nn4b.com/?webcomic1=29
http://nn4b.com/?webcomic1=133 & http://nn4b.com/?webcomic1=136

Sheath catching
http://nn4b.com/?webcomic1=239

Sword catching
http://nn4b.com/?webcomic1=242

Can we talk about Mad Max: Fury Road for a second? Full disclosure, I’ve never seen any of the other Mad Max films before. I did not expect to like or care about this movie at all, but I did end up seeing it after noting the exceptionally high praise it was getting from critics. Thus far it’s been my favorite movies of the year! I’m fairly confident I’ll like Force Awakens more, hopefully, perhaps… but there’s no denying that Fury Road is just an exhilarating rush! I think it’s just that after all these comic book action movies that rely so heavily on CG effects for their action set pieces, sucking them of any real sense of danger or tension, having a film come along that sticks mostly to practical stunts and effects, and builds such a tangible and imaginative world, is so refreshing! Fury Road also keeps extreme gore and ‘gross out’ moments to a minimum, only using those types of visuals to heighten dramatic moments, so it never feels likes its pandering to a low ball demographic. It is quality action film making, the kind I don’t think I’ve seen in a while (maybe since Skyfall?). Does the internet even need my recommendation to see this movie?

On a final note, seeing as how Abrams is pushing the practical effects in Star Wars, and how tired all the overly CG’d superhero movies are getting, I’m hoping this year really begins a trend toward the toning down of overblown CG and the reliance on more grounded props and effects. Maybe that’s too impractical to hope for, since I’m sure it’s significantly more time consuming and expensive to go the latter route. But the old grouchy man inside me can dream!

Published on May 18, 2015 by Alex Kolesar

LynzO

I never noticed that before…. I feel ashamed. Time for a re-read!
- http://www.nn4b.com suburban_samurai
  
  I approve of an encourage your practical solution to such a lapse in memory.
http://www.zapcomic.com/ Pascalle Lepas

dual wield +5 to attack
- http://www.nn4b.com suburban_samurai
  
  TYPICALLY dual wielding gives you an extra chance to hit, but -2/-4 attack! Just sayin’, Pascal!
  - http://www.zapcomic.com/ Pascalle Lepas
    
    OH JEEZE I HAVE BEEN UNCOVERED AS A FAKE GEEK GIRL!!!
    
    *hissess and melts into puddle*
    - http://www.nn4b.com suburban_samurai
      
      Watch me get called out for not getting the rules right either!
      - Astralfury
        
        Check your privilege.
      - KungFuKlobber
        
        If the off-hand weapon is a light weapon, i’s -4/-8, unless you have two-weapon fighting, in which case it’s -2/-2. If the off-hand weapon is a one-handed weapon, take an additional -2/-2 penalty.
      - http://www.nn4b.com suburban_samurai
        
        Dual wielding gets complicated. I had to use a cheat sheet when I played a duel wielding character so I could remember which dice to roll and when. Granted I’m not too experienced with tabletop RP.
    - charles81
      
      Nah, Matrix just said he was born to and the +5 is why.
      
      Add another +2 if he gets a third sword in his mouth again, but -1,000,000 if he takes damage in the soft, pink katana again *winces*
      - animalia555
        
        So Yori needs to wear a cup?
  - Dusty Coyote
    
    Hey, Yori’s dex can handle it. Sides, looks like he took the improved 2 weapon fighting feat. But that’s probably not a light weapon in the other hand soooo
    
    +5 Swords of awesome though.
    - noerartnoe
      
      If we’re talking daishō, then yes – it would qualify as a light weapon.
      (daishō = katana + wakizashi/tantō). The wakizashi in D&D is, if memory serves, basically a “short sword” – which is a light weapon – with a bonus to crit range.
      - Kid Chaos
        
        Now you’re making me think of “Ready Player One”; two characters were named “Daito” and “Shoto” (a.k.a. “Daishō”).
      - Xinef
        
        The funny thing is, even though wakizashi were basically short swords, they usually had a two-handed grip. I suppose it’s mostly because it makes it easier to use the same fighting techniques you’d use with a katana (a hand-and-a-half sword), in case you lost it in battle/broke it.
        
        So in d20 terms, it might make sense to apply some bonuses for wielding it two-handed.
      - noerartnoe
        
        True. Just one thing, and this is just me being a tard; A hand-and-a-halfer in d20 would be a bastard sword. Basically a two-hander that can be wielded in one hand without any penalties (or bonuses to wielding it with two – I think). The katana is more the equivalent of the longsword (again, with a crit range bonus if memory serves), which is a one-handed weapon that can be wielded with two for a damage bonus :p
        
        Trivia(assuming my memory is correct): The wakizashi/tantō was also the sword used for committing seppuku/harakiri.
      - KungFuKlobber
        
        In d20 you need a proficiency feat to wield a bastard sword one-handed. But wielding any one-handed weapon two-handed does give a damage bonus, provided you have a strength mod of at least +2.
      - noerartnoe
        
        I might be thinking exclusively D&D and not d20 in general? There might have been a distinction there at one point. In either case you’re right about the bastard. Forgot that wielding it one-handed takes Exotic Weapon Proficiency, whereas you can wield it in two hands as a Martial Weapon. However, for a one-handed weapon to give a damage bonus 2-handed it needs to be tagged as “Versatile”. (At least in earlier d&d, can’t remember if they changed it in 5E)
        
        I blame any and all typos on using my phone.
      - Neska
        
        As I recall from actually reading all the stats in the books, a katana in D&D is derived from the bastard sword stats (but expanded crit range ’cause sharp!). Wakizashi with short swords, and tanto a dagger.
        Seppuku refers to any suicide committed to restore honor, hara kiri (lit. “belly cutting”) being the most favored method ’cause you gotta be badass to do it right: using either the wakizashi or tanto (depending on which you have available) you slice across and up to spill your guts into your lap, you then hold out for as long as possible before bowing your head so someone can cut it off for you (a friend or relative if possible, an honorable enemy if not) using your own katana (assuming it’s available). The longer you can last with your guts in your lap, the more honor you get back posthumously. A female samurai who felt the need to commit seppuku would be more likely to stab herself in the heart or cut her own throat using her tanto, as the women rarely carried the longer blades (there were exceptions, though) and it’s harder to kill yourself with a bow or naginata (also weapons female samurai were known to use).
      - noerartnoe
        
        According to the 3.5 SRD:
        Longsword |15 gp | 1d6 | 1d8 | 19-20/×2 | 4 lb. | Slashing
        Sword, bastard | 35gp | 1d8 | 1d10 | 19-20/×2 | 6 lb | Slashing
        
        (The first 1dX is a weapon sized for a small creature, the second a medium one.) I did some light digging, as I was trusting in my memory last time around. Aaaand… apparently my mind manufactured some things about versatile (not what it does, mind). I can’t find it on D20SRD (the 3.5 SRD), meaning it was an invention of 4E. 3.5 (and some earlier, I guess) had this rule, however:”If a one-handed weapon is wielded with two hands during melee combat, add 1½ times the character’s Strength bonus to damage rolls”.
        
        Anyways, I couldn’t find the 3.5 Katana stats online, so I looked at the PF (aka. D&D 3.75) one, and, yeah. My memory has been playing tricks on me. Due to the Katana having the damage of a Longsword (at least in PF and 5E) (and thus pretty much being identical to one – aside from critrange) I assumed it was based on that. However according to the forgotten realms wikia(which I somehow overlooked in my previous google-ing) in 3E the Katana was a masterwork bastard sword. In PF it even has the “exotic weapon proficiency” bit that the Bastard sword has (except, you know, for being a proficiency with katana, not the bastard).
        
        TL;DR – My memory got confuzzled by the damage range and thus mixed up the swords + rules from other editions. Making most of everything else I’ve posted on this issue only partially correct – or flat out wrong because I misremembered the rules.
        
        I’ll just show myself out.
        
        As for the other stuff you posted: Intweagueing. One learns(and is reminded of) more every day
      - Neska
        
        Yeah, there’s alot of info and confuzzling can happen.
        
        Always glad to provide random and possibly unnecessary information!
IDPounder

Yori has now demonstrated Iajutsu, Niten Ichi-ryu and the ability to fight blind (don’t know if there’s a particular name for that). Considering that most samurai were fortunate to master even one of those disciplines in their lifetimes, I’d say that puts his skill at a very high level.
- Xinef
  
  Zatoichi-ryu.
  - http://www.nn4b.com suburban_samurai
    
    The best sword style.
ttd0000

So, Yori has the best reaction time in the game, huh?
- http://www.nn4b.com suburban_samurai
  
  Debatable! But the potential is there.
endplanets

Yori: I don’t understand. I’m great with two swords so just give me Ken’s new sword and his old sword and I’m golden.
- http://www.nn4b.com suburban_samurai
  
  Artists’s rendition:
  - Xinef
    
    With our powers swords combined!
  - endplanets
    
    Now that’s what I’m talking about!
- Kid Chaos
  
  How about a gold-plated sword?
Astralfury

“Wait, does this mean you are going to give me two new swords? ” – Yori, probably.
- Jordan Hiller
  
  Considering his record with swords, I’d be pretty hesitant to get him any new ones. Maybe some older, beat up swords that wouldn’t cost so much and would be easy to replace when he inevitably breaks them.
David Aran

yay, I love dual-wielding. aaaaand it looks like I’ve caught up to the present. Any hints as to when the next page will be done (there’s no schedule anywhere as far as I can tell and the description underneath gets a little on the TL;DR side for me to check.)
- Karen Sue Jones
  
  Once a week on Mondays so far. They’ve been good about getting it out on time, too.
  - Dichu
    
    And I believe they still owe us at least one more bonus page, which will come out on a Thursday, but Alex tends to warn us when those are coming.
Minando

From now on, you shall be known as Musashi.
- http://www.nn4b.com suburban_samurai
  
  That was kind of Genchu’s role!
KungFuKlobber

Dude. Go watch the other Mad Max movies ASAP. In any order; like Indiana Jones, there’s very little continuity.
- http://www.nn4b.com suburban_samurai
  
  I have every intention of watching the other Max films now!
  
  And I’m sure I’ll be watching Legends. It’s all gotten hilariously comicbook-y at this point. I’m curious what effect Sarah’s resurrection will have on Arrow, if any. What bugs me the most about all these interconnected shows is that the cross overs always feel kinda sloppy. Like in Flash when the cop guy and Cisco visited Starling city to find the real Wells body, and Laurel’s dad was just like “oh, I’m having problems with my daughter,” while in the context of Arrow he was/is flipping out and totally out of control. Also, when Oliver showed up to help take down Reverse Flash, you’re telling me he just told Rahs Al Ghul (I know I’m misspelling all the names!) “Hey, I know you’re, like, brainwashing me and all, but The Flash asked for my help in taking down his arch enemy. Mind if I just take off for a bit and do that?”. But, then again, the cross overs are fun and so much stuff that goes on in these shows make no sense at all so I don’t even know why I bring it up! ANYWAY, I’m excited for Legends, I’m just also like “ugh, ANOTHER superhero show to keep up with?” I still haven’t found the time to catch up on SHIELD, I unintentionally fell off the wagon after the first 11 episodes.
  - charles81
    
    Mad Max 1 is the only one with story elements that are referred to later (just MM’s past). However I would compare MM1 in the “series” to Evil Dead 1 in it’s series.
  - Kid Chaos
    
    “Fury Road” was totes awesome. ‘Nuff said.
Ryan

As I recall, Yori 2.5-wielded once, holding half a sword in his mouth. I don’t remember it going particularly well, but he did it.
Flaming Squirrel

I love Ina’s face in the third panel. She looks more offended than scared. “Oh no, you did NOT just try to kill me, girl!”

I want to see Fury Road, but I’m kind of a stickler for watching things in order, even if there’s no continuity. I think the first movie might be on Netflix, but I’m not sure. I’m also really excited to see the new Star Wars movie, but (and this is where I lose all geek cred) first I need to watch the original trilogy. Believe it or not, I’ve only ever watched A New Hope. We have the entire trilogy, but they’re all on tape, and we no longer have a VHS in our house 😛

*curls up in the corner of shame*
- http://www.nn4b.com suburban_samurai
  
  I know the feeling! I was like “wait, how am I going to see these other movies before I see their sequel?” And then I ran out of time and everyone was going to the theater! Sometimes sacrifices must be made. I’m betting Fury Road is the best of the Mad Max films, so if you see them in order, they’ll end on the highest note.
  - Flaming Squirrel
    
    The only time I think I went to see a sequel without seeing the first movie was Expendables 2. But let’s be honest, nobody saw that movie for the story.
- Neska
  
  You should be ashamed!
  Laserdisc is the best format!
Lady Courage

Ina’s already not mad anymore? Maybe she’s got a thing for duel wielding~
- http://www.nn4b.com suburban_samurai
  
  It’s all just been a roller coaster of emotion for her. Also, she’s probably still pretty mad, she’s just bottling it up.
Kid Chaos

Best dual-wielding since Revy in “Black Lagoon”!
- charles81
  
  That show was complete awesomesauce
  - Kid Chaos
    
    Still is!
- http://www.nn4b.com suburban_samurai
  
  I was totes into BL when it first came out. I always wanted to go back and watch that second season, one assumes it would still be great.
  - charles81
    
    I personally feel 2nd season was a step backwards but still good.
Xinef

Ina: “Ok, Yori. You’ve learned your lesson. Now kill her, she’s dangerous.”

Also, it’s always the lefty. ALWAYS!
- http://www.nn4b.com suburban_samurai
  
  Yori wouldn’t even kill an unconscious ninja, I deem your scenario IMPLAUSIBLE!
  
  And I’m a lefty, so AGREED.
  - Xinef
    
    Tell that to the Demons of Sorrow. I’m sure they won’t believe… that you’re a lefty.
    
    Unless you knock them unconscious first, then I’m pretty sure they’d see your reasoning.
    - SKy
      
      Little language lesson: “sinister” is the Latin word for “left”. 😉
      - Jonathan B
        
        Clearly a plot by right-handed Romans to besmirch us.
      - SKy
        
        The Romans were cool with it, language wise. It was just “sinister” & “dexter”, “left” & “right”; no hidden meaning. Then the middle ages happened and suddenly everything that wasn’t “normal” was seen as evil…
  - Brandenfascher
    
    “I know something you do not know. I am not right-handed.”
    “Oh, and there’s something I ought to tell you.”
    “Tell me.”
    “I am not right-handed either.”
  - Neska
    
    I’m a lefty, and trained to fight with 2 weapons (escrima sticks rather than blades, but the principal is the same).
margarinecup

Ahem… Two-hands, Kirito, Arc, Kali÷3, Golden Sparrow, Haige, Darius, Headless Horseman (Tim Burton), King Bradley… And now Yori!
- http://www.nn4b.com suburban_samurai
  
  A prestigious group!
  - Kid Chaos
    
    Don’t forget Mr. Chang (also from “Black Lagoon”).
Dichu

Hmm… This new dual-wielding Yori sounds awesome, but I’m not sure whether drawing a new sword would be faster than turning around. Then again, that would place Yori’s back to this potential threat, and he has a better idea of his capabilities than I do; I suppose it is possible for a left-hand draw to at least be a little faster than turning around.

Also, I’ve been replaying Twilight Princess, and that teaches you that a freshly drawn sword does more damage. If I’m not being clear, I’m talking about Hidden Skill 5: Mortal Draw. So, maybe Yori thinks the damage boost will allow him to break Matrix’s sword.
- Xinef
  
  Though if he were to turn around, he’d risk cutting off Ina’s head, since she would be, technically, between his sword and Matrix’s.
  - Dichu
    
    Maybe, but Yori was just cutting leaves into perfect halves. I’m pretty sure he could get his sword to go through the area above Ina’s head and below Matrix’s sword.
MadHatter084

Love visual explenations, they alway work.
Speedy Marsh

You’ve got two hands… 1… 2
Now use them, or the girl gets it!

https://drawception.com/pub/panels/2014/10-26/bPXEYwsrAG-6.png
margarinecup

5 months late but… Two-Hands!!
animalia555

three things

1: “Born too” is an interesting word choice.
2: The reason most people don’t is that a swing with both hands does more damage.
3: The real world swordsman well known for two sword style was Miyamoto Musashi, and even he said yo should not be overly dependable on a single type of weapon and be able to adapt when needed.
animalia555

So is Yori Miyamoto Musashi now?
DarthJazzHand

Ohhh, I see. The red head is trying to make the Senshin win by training up Yorikiro and co., while the black man wants the Wataro to win by introducing firearms to their clan.
I’m kinda guessing these people will turn out to be gods or angels or something?

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