The Shinigami of Soul Society continued to cheer desperately for Kurosaki Ichigo, their faith in his eventual victory burning bright despite the growing shadows surrounding his situation.
They believed wholeheartedly that it wouldn't be long before Ichigo would officially recover his full strength and be able to defeat Tsukishima Shūkurō decisively. They wanted this enemy to understand the true depths of determination that came from protecting one's friends—a force that could move mountains and reshape destinies.
With this encouragement echoing in his heart, Ichigo threw himself into his training with renewed vigor, unaware that a web of deception was already closing around everything he held dear.
[Meanwhile, in the real world, Orihime Inoue and Chad Yasutora had finished their own training sessions and were making their way back to check on their friends. The weight of recent events hung heavy on their minds as they sought to ensure everyone's safety.]
["We should visit Tatsuki-chan and the others," Orihime suggested as they walked through the familiar streets of Karakura Town. "If Tsukishima is as dangerous as Ginjō says, they might be in danger too."]
[Chad nodded grimly. "Good idea. If he's targeting people close to Ichigo, then all of our classmates could be potential victims."]
[They made their rounds to several of their mutual friends—Tatsuki Arisawa, Keigo Asano, Mizuiro Kojima, and others from their high school class. Each encounter started normally enough, with casual greetings and friendly conversation.]
[But as they spent more time with each person, both Orihime and Chad began to notice something deeply unsettling.]
["Do you feel that?" Chad whispered to Orihime as they left Keigo's apartment. "There's a strange spiritual pressure lingering around him... around all of them."]
[Orihime's face had gone pale with worry. "Yes, I sense it too. But that's impossible—they're all ordinary humans! They shouldn't have any spiritual energy signatures at all!"]
[The realization hit them both like a physical blow. These traces of foreign spiritual pressure could only mean one thing: Tsukishima Shūkurō had already made contact with Ichigo's friends. But what had he done to them? And why did none of them seem to remember any unusual encounters?]
["This is bad," Chad said, his massive hands clenching into fists. "If Tsukishima has already gotten to them, then whatever he's planning is already in motion."]
["We need to find him," Orihime declared with unusual steel in her voice. "Before he can hurt anyone else."]
[As if summoned by their very discussion, their search came to an abrupt end when they encountered the man himself.]
[Tsukishima Shūkurō appeared before them on a quiet street corner, his bookmark weapon gleaming in the afternoon sunlight. His smile was as unsettling as ever, but there was something different about his demeanor—a satisfaction that suggested he had already achieved some important objective.]
["Ah, Orihime, Chad," Tsukishima said with mock warmth. "How lovely to see you both again. Though I suppose this is actually our first real meeting, isn't it?"]
["Stay back!" Chad roared, his arms immediately transforming into their armored states. "We know what you've been doing to our friends!"]
[Tsukishima's smile widened. "Do you? How fascinating. But you really shouldn't make assumptions about things you don't understand."]
[The battle was swift and decisive. Despite their recent training and improved abilities, both Chad and Orihime found themselves at a severe disadvantage against Tsukishima's experience and cunning.]
[SLASH! SLASH!]
[Tsukishima's bookmark weapon moved with surgical precision, cutting both fighters multiple times before they could mount an effective defense. Each wound was shallow but purposeful, and the moment his blade made contact, something fundamental changed.]
["What... what did you do to us?" Chad gasped, stumbling backward as strange new memories began flooding his mind.]
[Images and sensations that felt completely real but utterly wrong began overwriting his actual experiences. Suddenly, he remembered being saved from bullies not by Ichigo Kurosaki, but by this very same Tsukishima Shūkurō. The kind, gentle man who had helped him discover his inner strength and taught him to stand up for himself.]
["No..." Chad whispered, clutching his head as conflicting memories warred within his consciousness. "This isn't right. It was Ichigo who helped me. It was always Ichigo!"]
[But the false memories felt so vivid, so emotionally resonant, that his certainty began to crumble. Had it really been Ichigo? Or had that just been wishful thinking? The more he tried to focus on the 'real' memories, the more they seemed to fade like morning mist.]
[Orihime was experiencing an even more devastating transformation. In her altered recollections, it wasn't Ichigo who had helped her during the crisis with her brother Sora's Hollow. It was Tsukishima who had shown such compassion, such understanding, such strength in her darkest hour.]
["This can't be happening," Orihime whispered, tears streaming down her face as she fought against the false memories. "Kurosaki-kun saved me. He's always been there when I needed him most!"]
[But Tsukishima's power was absolute. Her memories of Ichigo's heroic actions grew dim and uncertain, replaced by warm recollections of Tsukishima's kindness and support. The emotional connections she had formed with Ichigo didn't disappear entirely, but they now felt misplaced, as if she had somehow confused two different people.]
["There we go," Tsukishima said with satisfied approval as both of his victims stopped struggling against their altered memories. "Much better. Now you can remember our relationship properly."]
[Chad and Orihime looked at him with confusion and growing affection, their resistance crumbling as the false memories fully integrated into their consciousness.]
["Tsukishima..." Chad said slowly, his voice filled with genuine warmth. "I'm sorry we attacked you. I don't know what came over us."]
["You've always been so good to us," Orihime added, her earlier hostility completely replaced by gratitude. "I don't understand why we were being so hostile."]
[Tsukishima's smile was triumphant as he sheathed his weapon. "Don't worry about it. You were just confused for a moment. That's perfectly natural."]
With his work complete, Tsukishima departed, leaving behind two of Ichigo's closest friends who now regarded him as a cherished companion rather than a mortal enemy.
[Hours later, Ichigo finally completed his intensive training session and made his way home, his new armor having faded back into his regular clothes. He felt stronger and more confident than he had in months, eager to share his progress with his family.]
[But as he approached his house, his spiritual senses immediately detected something wrong. There was an unfamiliar spiritual pressure emanating from within—one that felt familiar yet threatening.]
["What the hell?" Ichigo muttered, quickening his pace. "That spiritual pressure... it can't be!"]
[He burst through the front door, ready for a fight, only to freeze in complete shock at the scene before him.]
[Tsukishima Shūkurō was sitting casually on the living room sofa, a cup of tea in his hands, looking for all the world like he belonged there. He glanced up at Ichigo's entrance with mild interest, as if the young man's dramatic arrival was only slightly noteworthy.]
["Oh, hello there, Ichigo," Tsukishima said pleasantly. "Welcome home. Your sisters were just telling me about their day at school."]
["What the—GET AWAY FROM MY FAMILY!" Ichigo roared, his spiritual pressure exploding outward as he prepared to attack.]
[But before he could move, his two younger sisters, Karin and Yuzu, rushed to place themselves between him and Tsukishima.]
["Onii-chan, what's wrong with you?!" Yuzu cried out in distress. "Why are you being so mean to Tsukishima-nii?"]
["Yeah, what's your problem?" Karin added with her usual directness. "He's our cousin! He comes over all the time!"]
[Ichigo felt as if the ground had suddenly vanished beneath his feet. "Cousin?! What are you talking about?! I've never seen this guy before in my life!"
["Don't be ridiculous, Ichigo," Yuzu said with genuine confusion. "Tsukishima-nii has been part of our family for years! He taught me how to cook that cake recipe you love so much!"]
["And he helped me with my soccer training," Karin added, looking at Ichigo as if he had lost his mind. "Are you feeling okay? You're acting really weird."]
[Ichigo's mind reeled as he tried to process what he was hearing. This is impossible! I don't have a cousin named Tsukishima! This is some kind of trick!
["You're lying!" Ichigo shouted, grabbing Tsukishima by the collar and hauling him to his feet. "I don't know what you did to my sisters, but I'm going to—"]
["Ichigo-nii, stop it!" both girls cried out in unison, their voices filled with genuine distress at seeing their brother attack their beloved cousin.]
[Before the situation could escalate further, the front door opened again, and several familiar voices called out cheerful greetings.]
["Yo, Ichigo! We got your cousin's message!" came Keigo Asano's boisterous voice.]
["It's been way too long since we all hung out together!" added Mizuiro Kojima with his characteristic calm enthusiasm.]
["I brought snacks!" Tatsuki Arisawa announced as she entered carrying a bag of treats.]
[Ichigo turned to stare at his classmates in complete bewilderment. "What message? What are you guys talking about?"
["Tsukishima called us," Tatsuki explained matter-of-factly. "Said it had been too long since we all got together and that he missed hanging out with everyone."]
["Yeah, man!" Keigo added enthusiastically. "Your cousin is awesome! Remember that time he helped us study for finals? Or when he took us all to that festival?"]
[Ichigo felt his sanity beginning to crack around the edges. What festival? What studying? None of this ever happened!
["You guys are all crazy!" Ichigo shouted, his voice breaking with desperation. "This man is not my cousin! He's a dangerous enemy who's been attacking my friends!"]
[Everyone in the room stared at Ichigo with expressions of deep concern and confusion.]
["Ichigo, maybe you should sit down," Mizuiro suggested gently. "You're not making any sense."]
["Are you having some kind of breakdown?" Tatsuki asked, her usual tough demeanor replaced by genuine worry for her childhood friend.]
[For Ichigo—whose entire identity was built around protecting and being trusted by his friends and family—this was the ultimate nightmare. Everything he fought for, everyone he cared about, was looking at him like he was delusional or dangerous.]
[Unable to bear the looks of confusion and disappointment from the people he loved most, Ichigo's composure finally shattered completely.]
[CRACK!]
[He swung his fist at Tsukishima with all his strength, the blow connecting solidly with the man's jaw and sending him sprawling across the floor.]
["ICHIGO!" came the horrified chorus from everyone present.]
["What is wrong with you?!" Karin demanded, rushing to help Tsukishima up.]
["How could you hit him like that?!" Yuzu sobbed, her faith in her big brother clearly shaken.]
[Unable to endure any more, Ichigo fled from his own home, running blindly through the streets as the weight of his isolation crashed down upon him. The looks of betrayal and confusion from his loved ones were burned into his memory, more painful than any physical wound he had ever endured.]
The chat erupted with sympathy and outrage:
[Tōshirō Hitsugaya]: I can't believe how twisted Tsukishima's ability is! To manipulate memories like that... it's absolutely heinous!
[Retsu Unohana]: Such a method of attack is particularly cruel. Physical wounds heal, but psychological trauma can last forever.
[Byakuya Kuchiki]: Indeed, if Tsukishima has truly replaced Ichigo in everyone's memories and assumed the role of beloved family member... that would be devastating for someone who values his relationships above all else.
[Rukia Kuchiki]: Ichigo must feel like his entire world has been turned upside down. Only he remembers the truth while everyone else lives in a lie.
[Yoruichi Shihōin]: For someone whose strength comes from protecting his loved ones, having those same people turn against him... it's the perfect psychological warfare.
The audience found themselves feeling genuinely distressed for Ichigo's plight. While Tsukishima's combat abilities might not be overwhelming, his power to destroy a person's entire support network was perhaps more devastating than any physical attack.
How can Ichigo fight back against this? many wondered. How do you prove your identity to people who genuinely believe you're the enemy?
[Isshin Shiba]: My poor son... his heart has always been fragile when it comes to his relationships with others. This must be agony for him.
[Kisuke Urahara]: Yes, in the past his greatest fear was being too weak to protect his friends. Now it's even worse—his friends don't even recognize him as someone worth protecting.
[Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez]: Hah! This guy's ability is pretty interesting! But why is Ichigo collapsing so hard over it?
[Ulquiorra Cifer]: Kurosaki Ichigo's mental resilience is simply insufficient. This level of psychological pressure shouldn't be surprising.
[Tier Harribel]: Regardless of how bizarre the enemy's abilities are, wouldn't the solution be to simply destroy him?
Meanwhile, the Quincy of the Wandenreich found themselves mocking Ichigo's apparent weakness in the face of psychological manipulation.
[Gerard Valkyrie]: This current Kurosaki Ichigo has such a weak mentality. He truly needs to be tempered by His Majesty's guidance.
[Jugram Haschwalth]: This Tsukishima Shūkurō's ability is indeed intriguing. Even His Majesty doesn't possess such memory manipulation capabilities.
[Lille Barro]: One moment of carelessness and your entire life could collapse! Especially for someone as psychologically vulnerable as Kurosaki Ichigo—it's a fatal weakness.
[Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto]: Indeed... there are few who can help Kurosaki Ichigo now. He is truly isolated. I hope he can believe in himself again and not fall into despair.
[Gin Ichimaru]: You know, when I saw his determined eyes before, I believed he could defeat even Aizen. But now I can't see that resolute look anymore. It's truly disappointing!
Countless voices tried to offer encouragement to the broken young man:
[Sōsuke Aizen]: Don't disappoint me, Kurosaki Ichigo. Although you're devastated right now, you cannot lose your faith because of this.
[Sōsuke Aizen]: No matter how weak your current strength may be, even if you're now isolated and suspected by countless people, you absolutely cannot allow yourself to become dispirited.
[Sōsuke Aizen]: Otherwise, you'll only fall into darkness completely. I believe you're definitely not that kind of person. Stand up and keep fighting!
[Isshin Shiba]: Yes, son! Keep going! I'm sure you still have a chance to prove yourself!
[Yhwach]: That's right, Kurosaki Ichigo! You must stand up! Otherwise, you wouldn't be qualified to be my son!
[As Ichigo continued running through the empty streets, his mind churned with despair and confusion. Everyone I care about... they all think I'm crazy. They all believe in him instead of me. How can I fight an enemy who's stolen my entire life?
[The weight of complete isolation pressed down on him like a physical force. For someone whose strength had always come from his desire to protect others, finding himself cast out by those same people was a blow more devastating than any sword or spell.]
["What am I supposed to do now?" Ichigo whispered into the night, his voice breaking with exhaustion and despair. "How do I save people who don't want to be saved? How do I protect people who think I'm the enemy?"]
[The projection paused on the image of Ichigo's solitary figure beneath a streetlight, surrounded by darkness and utterly alone for perhaps the first time in his life. The sight was so heartbreaking that even his enemies found themselves feeling a twinge of sympathy for the young man who had lost everything that gave his existence meaning.]