@CCC:
That's all I'm saying. His sword doesn't make contact with whatever he's attacking, and even if it projects some kind of energy attack, they don't behave like Mihawk's because the target simply separates, like Buggy; it doesn't bleed. I'd agree that the sword is essential (because he always uses it for the cutting moves), and that without it, all he can probably do is move objects around, but not break them apart cleanly. Maybe conduit is the wrong word. But you get the idea. Having it somehow enhances/modifies his ability.
This is basically what I'm arguing for… but the function of the sword is still inexorably linked to his ability.
My take is that Law requires certain tools to "operate" in his room. Like how a surgeon needs a bladed object to cut someone, Law needs a blade to cut people in his room. With the personalities, law needs to "cut" the personalities first before moving them so his sword is required.
This might explain his ability to shock people since it is a operating room "action". The one problem with this is that I don't remember Law having anything in his hands.shrugs