Orihime was very melancholy.
She felt that in the upcoming 'Winter Final Battle', she couldn't help at all, and would even become a burden to everyone.
Previously, when Toshiro was contacting Yamamoto, he didn't deliberately avoid her, so after the contact, Toshiro also told her about Ichigo training with the Vizard.
Then Toshiro told her to go to the Vizard's hideout to inform Ichigo and the Vizard about the 'Winter Final Battle'.
When she arrived at the Vizard's hideout, met Ichigo, and told him about the 'Winter Final Battle' and the severity of the situation, Ichigo acted very normally, without any surprised or worried expressions, unlike her who was filled with anxiety and unease.
Because after training with the Vizard, Ichigo's strength had increased significantly, and along with his strength, his confidence had also grown.
'The reason Kurosaki-kun doesn't show surprise or worry isn't because he's slow or thick-skinned... It's because he's become stronger...'
'Regardless of the other party's motives, it's because Kurosaki-kun sees his own strength and what he needs to do, so he doesn't waver...'
'Kurosaki-kun... has really become super strong... and he no longer feels that previous fear... But it doesn't feel like simple gentleness... It's a really mysterious feeling....'
'It seems... I also have to reach a higher level!'
After coming out of the Vizard's hideout, Orihime thought it through on her own, finally managing to barely escape her melancholic state.
But just as Orihime hadn't gotten far from the Vizard's hideout, Yoruichi suddenly arrived.
"There you are... Orihime!" Yoruichi appeared suddenly, calling out to Orihime.
Orihime was surprised: "Yoruichi-san..."
"Kisuke asked me to find you, and told me to bring you back immediately..." Yoruichi said seriously.
For some reason, seeing Yoruichi suddenly appear before her, Orihime felt an inexplicable sense of foreboding.
…
Urahara Shop, Underground Space.
Renji and Chad were sparring, while Kisuke watched from the side.
"Yo… Hello there, Inoue-san, it's been a long time!" After seeing Orihime arrive led by Yoruichi, Kisuke greeted her with a grin.
"Um... yeah!" Orihime responded nervously.
"Come, Inoue-san, sit here. Watching two smelly men train lately has been so boring. As expected, looking at a pretty girl like you is much more pleasing to the eye." Kisuke brought a stool and invited Orihime to sit.
"Uh... Urahara-san..."
Orihime glanced at the underground space where Renji and Chad's fight was causing the ground to shake and dust to fly, and ultimately didn't sit down.
"Urahara-san... is there something you need from me?" Orihime couldn't help but ask.
Hearing Orihime's words, Kisuke suddenly put away his grin, then said seriously: "Earlier, Matsumoto-san from Captain Hitsugaya's division came to see me, and told me about the 'Winter Final Battle' and some details regarding Aizen. I think you, being there at the time, probably know more than I do, so I'll get straight to the point..."
Kisuke stared expressionlessly at Orihime: "Looking at all the information, the current situation is still very severe, so you and Soul Society must be prepared for the Winter Final Battle. It will be an all-out war, and it may even become a bloodbath, so all of you must have much stronger power than before...."
"Yes! Actually... I also want to become stronger!" Orihime couldn't help but say.
Seeing Ichigo, Chad, and others each making great strides in strength after training, Orihime didn't want to be a burden either, and wanted Kisuke to help train her.
Upon hearing Orihime's words, Kisuke showed no surprise at all, but instead said somewhat indifferently: "I knew you'd think that way. But... I'm sorry to say… Inoue-san, this time you cannot participate in the battle!"
Hearing Kisuke's words, Orihime stood frozen in disbelief.
Even Renji and Chad, who were sparring nearby, had stopped at some point and were both looking towards Orihime and Kisuke.
After a daze, Orihime finally came to, then forced a sheepish smile: "U... Urahara-san... you're joking, right?"
But Kisuke ruthlessly shattered Orihime's illusion: "Inoue-san, forgive my bluntness, but your abilities are not suited for combat. Furthermore, Tsubaki, the only one of the Shun Shun Rikka with offensive capabilities, was damaged in the previous battle with the Arrancar. It probably hasn't been repaired yet, right?"
"Yes... Tsubaki was completely shattered, not even fragments remain. I still haven't found a way to heal him yet..." Orihime said dejectedly, looking down.
"Your abilities were never suited for combat to begin with, and now that you've lost your only means of attack, it's only natural that I don't want you to join the battle!" Kisuke said.
"Please wait, Urahara-san!" Chad suddenly stepped forward and said: "Orihime is our friend! Since she says she wants to become stronger, how can we just abandon her like that! Even though she lacks offensive means right now, she still has her healing and defense..."
"Sado-kun!" Kisuke directly interrupted Chad's words: "You should know, the enemy this time is extremely powerful. Inoue-san's defensive abilities won't be of much use. And as for her healing abilities... the 4th Division will be there to help. Captain Hitsugaya already told me before, Captain Unohana and Lieutenant Kotetsu will both be on the front lines for this battle, so..."
"...Inoue-san's assistance won't be necessary this time!"
Chad still couldn't help but say: "But..."
"You're being too noisy, Sado-kun!" Kisuke suddenly said with a cold face: "A warrior who has lost their power will only hold everyone else back!"
Chad shouted: "It doesn't matter! No one will mind..."
"Sado-san!" Orihime suddenly spoke, stopping Chad.
"Don't say anymore, Sado-san. Actually, Urahara-san is right... If I join the battle, I'll only become everyone's burden..."
Orihime forced a bitter smile and said: "Well, if there's nothing else, I'll take my leave!"
Having said that, Orihime turned and ran off without waiting for Kisuke or the others to reply.
"Inoue..."
Watching Orihime's lonely retreating figure, Chad also looked dejected. He could see the tears falling from the corners of her eyes as she turned, but even so, he couldn't stop her.
"Sigh..." Kisuke also couldn't help but sigh. It wasn't that he wanted to be the bad guy, but Orihime truly wasn't suited for combat.
…
Hueco Mundo, Las Noches.
Aizen sat high on his throne. In the void before him, a light screen was playing, once again, the recorded footage from when Ulquiorra and Yammy had previously gone to the Living World.
It happened to be playing the part where Orihime used her ability to heal Chad's severed arm.
Aizen leaned sideways against the throne, propping his chin with his left hand, looking thoughtful: "How interesting... this woman..."