"Orihime!"
Not long after Orihime ran out of the Urahara Shop, she happened to run into Rukia.
"What's wrong, Orihime? Did something happen?"
Seeing the tear stains on Orihime's face, Rukia asked with concern.
"Ku... Kuchiki-san... waaah..."
Seeing Rukia's worried expression, Orihime, who had finally managed to stop crying, couldn't hold back anymore and started sobbing again, looking pitiful.
"Huh?"
Rukia was dumbfounded, 'Did I make Orihime cry?'
"Hey! Orihime! What's going on?"
Rukia asked anxiously.
"Waaah... I..."
On the rooftop of a large building.
Orihime poured out all her grievances to Rukia.
"That Kisuke guy dared to say that! I won't forgive him!!"
Rukia said angrily.
"Please don't, Kuchiki-san."
Orihime said with a wry smile: "Urahara-san wasn't really wrong. Besides, this decision is probably for the best. After all, my abilities really aren't up to par..."
"That's not true at all!"
Rukia grabbed Orihime angrily and said loudly: "You've been fighting all along, haven't you? You even went all the way to Soul Society with Ichigo and the others last time! And now you're being cast aside so easily! Are you really okay with that?"
Orihime stammered in reply: "I... I don't mind..."
"You're lying!"
Orihime shouted.
"I'm not lying!"
Orihime also shouted: "I don't mind at all! It's just..."
Orihime's voice became low: "It's just that I feel a bit lonely not being able to fight alongside everyone anymore. But more than the loneliness, I hate the thought of dragging everyone down even more..."
"Even though I don't want to admit it, I really have become everyone's burden right now. So, if it would cause trouble for Kurosaki and all of you, then I'd rather bear the loneliness alone!"
Orihime smiled through her tears.
Hearing Orihime's words, Rukia's heart was shaken.
"Listen to me, Orihime."
Rukia gently stroked Orihime's cheek: "The ones who cause trouble in battle aren't those without strength, but those who lack resolve!"
"Take our fight in Soul Society last time, for example. No one caused any trouble for anyone else. Whether it was Ichigo, Sado, Ishida, or you, Orihime... if any one of you had been missing, I probably wouldn't be standing here right now. So, in this upcoming battle, we'll definitely be able to fight side-by-side again. Let's go find a way to solve this problem together."
Rukia encouraged.
"Kuchiki-san..."
"Orihime..."
Bang!
Just as Orihime and Rukia Kuchiki were gazing at each other affectionately, a figure suddenly fell from the sky, landing right beside them.
Rukia was shocked: "Wha... who is it?"
"Hi... Hiyori!"
Orihime immediately recognized the person as Sarugaki Hiyori, whom she had met at the Vizard's hideout.
"Hachi needs you for something! So come with me!"
Without waiting for Orihime to answer, Sarugaki Hiyori grabbed her and went 'whoosh'… she was gone!
Rukia couldn't help but shout in confusion: "Hey! Orihime! Who is she, anyway?"
…
Vizard Hideout.
"Hello. My name is Ushoda Hachigen. Everyone calls me Hachi. Nice to meet you."
Hachigen, former Vice-Kido Chief of the Kido Corps in Soul Society, now a member of the Vizard, as plump as a small mountain but with a kind face, introduced himself to Orihime.
"Uh... n-nice to meet you..."
Orihime smiled stiffly at Hachigen, who was much taller than her even while sitting on the ground.
"Hmm..."
Hachigen introduced himself, then stroked his chin as he looked Orihime up and down.
"Um... what did you need from me?"
Orihime asked uneasily.
Hearing Orihime's words, Hachigen suddenly reached out a hand bigger than Orihime's head and placed it on top of her head.
"Ow, ow, ow—! You're going to twist my head off!!"
Orihime immediately cried out in pain.
"Hmm... just as I thought. This hairpin is the source of your power, just like a Shinigami's Zanpakuto. How rare!"
Hachigen let go, clicking his tongue in wonder as he looked at the hairpin on Orihime's head.
"Yes, but it's broken..."
Orihime said dejectedly.
"Then let me fix it for you!"
Hachigen suddenly said.
…
Night, outside the Vizard hideout.
Orihime walked out of the Vizard hideout with a smile on her face.
Tsubaki from the Shun Shun Rikka had been repaired by Hachigen. She had her means of attack back.
"Kuchiki-san!"
Orihime had just walked out when she saw Rukia standing outside.
Orihime quickly tried to deflect: "Ah ha! Th-this place inside is..."
But Rukia smiled and said: "It's okay, you don't have to say it. Actually, I heard from Captain Hitsugaya that Ichigo is currently training here. But since he didn't tell me himself, he probably has his reasons, so I didn't go in... Just standing here for a while is enough."
"By the way, Orihime, you look so happy. Could it be..."
"Yes, Hachi-san repaired Tsubaki!"
"Really?!"
Rukia was happy for Orihime too. "Alright then, let's go, Orihime. To improve your abilities, I'll take you to Soul Society for some training!"
Orihime nodded: "Yes!"
'Kurosaki-kun... Before, I lacked strength and was always looking back at you... But now, I won't look back anymore. Next time we meet, I will be able to fight on my own without relying on you!'
Then Orihime's figure disappeared into the Senkaimon with Rukia...
…
Hueco Mundo, Las Noches, an underground palace.
Aizen and most of the Espada were gathered here.
Aizen was currently controlling the Hogyoku, continuously channeling energy into a transparent cubic barrier on the ground.
Inside the transparent cubic barrier were two Hollows of unknown appearance.
Creak—
The door to the underground palace suddenly opened.
"You're here, Ulquiorra, Yammy."
Aizen looked at the last two Espada to arrive: "You've come at a perfect time. I'm just finishing up here."
"How is the Hogyoku's awakening coming along?"
Ulquiorra asked as he walked over.
"Exactly fifty percent. Just as Soul Society probably predicted..."
A smile tugged at the corner of Aizen's mouth: "Of course, there are some things only those who have direct contact with the Hogyoku can know..."
"I suspect even Urahara Kisuke, who developed the Hogyoku but immediately sealed it, probably doesn't know this either..."
"When the Hogyoku, which was in a dormant state after being unsealed, is temporarily fused with someone possessing Reiatsu twice that of a captain-level..."
"In that instant, it can manifest abilities identical to its fully awakened state!!"
Bang!
The transparent cubic barrier shattered, and the figures of two Arrancar appeared before everyone.
"Please state your names! My new comrades!"
Aizen put away the Hogyoku.
"Wonderweiss... Wonderweiss Margela..."
"Phoenix... Phoenix Margela..."