[In the projection, both Ginjo Kugo and Kurosaki Ichigo raised their swords simultaneously, spiritual pressure crackling around them like lightning.]
[Ginjo: "Getsuga Tensho!"]
[Ichigo: "Getsuga Tensho!"]
[A brilliant purple crescent moon energy blast erupted from Ginjo's blade, colliding head-on with Ichigo's own signature attack. The purple energy overwhelmed the orange, pushing Ichigo's technique back entirely.]
CRASH!
[Ichigo was sent skidding backward, his eyes wide with shock and disbelief.]
[Ichigo: "What the hell...? How can you use my technique?!"]
[Ginjo landed gracefully, his stolen Shinigami powers radiating with dark confidence.]
[Ginjo: "Surprised? This is the power I gained from you, Ichigo. Your spiritual pressure, your techniques... they're all mine now."]
[Ginjo rushed forward with supernatural speed, his blade aimed directly at Ichigo's heart.]
[Ichigo barely managed to block, the force of the impact sending shockwaves through the air.]
[From the sidelines, Uryu observed the battle with calculating eyes.]
[Uryu: "Ichigo! Listen to me carefully - this isn't just simple power theft. He's absorbed your spiritual pressure and analyzed your combat data. Everything you can do, he can potentially replicate!"]
[Ichigo gritted his teeth, pushing back against Ginjo's blade.]
[Ichigo: "I don't care if he's copied my moves! I'm the real deal - there's no way some fake is gonna beat me!"]
[The two fighters separated, circling each other like predators. Ginjo's expression was one of cold amusement.]
[Ginjo: "Fake? How presumptuous. I've surpassed the original."]
[They clashed again and again, orange and purple spiritual pressure painting the sky in violent streaks. Each exchange grew more intense, more desperate.]
In the chat group, reactions poured in rapidly:
[Hitsugaya Toshiro: This is unbelievable! How can Ginjo use Ichigo's signature technique? This goes beyond simple power mimicry!]
[Orihime Inoue: It's like watching someone fight their own shadow... This is so unsettling.]
[Kurosaki Ichigo: Another one trying to replace me... I'm getting really sick of this pattern!]
[Kuchiki Rukia: These Xcution members are truly despicable. To steal someone's identity and power like this...]
[Aizen Sosuke: How amusing. As if some petty thief could truly replace my carefully cultivated specimen. Kurosaki Ichigo's potential runs far deeper than these insects could comprehend.]
[Urahara Kisuke: Indeed, a mere imitation lacks the soul of the original. Mr. Kurosaki will surely demonstrate the difference between authentic strength and borrowed power.]
[Kurosaki Ichigo: You bet I will! I'll show this Ginjo bastard what the real thing can do! And that Tsukishima too!]
[Yhwach: These humans amuse me with their crude attempts at power theft. Still, I am curious to see how my son will overcome this particular trial.]
[Back in the projection, Ginjo suddenly pulled back from their fierce exchange, a confident smirk playing on his lips.]
[Ginjo: "Tell me something, Ichigo. Are you even clear on what you're fighting for anymore?"]
[Ichigo paused, his blade still raised defensively.]
[Ichigo: "What kind of stupid question is that?"]
[Ginjo's smirk widened into something cruel and knowing.]
[Ginjo: "Tsukishima is dead."]
[The words hit like a physical blow. Ichigo's eyes widened.]
[Ginjo: "When a Fullbringer dies, the effects of their abilities fade away completely. That means all the modifications Tsukishima made to your friends' and family's memories... they're returning to normal as we speak."]
[Ichigo's sword arm trembled slightly.]
[Ginjo: "So I'll ask you again - what exactly are you fighting for now?"]
He's right... Ichigo realized with growing horror. If Tsukishima's dead, then everyone's memories are going back to how they were before. Dad, Yuzu, Karin... they won't remember any of this.
[Uryu stepped forward urgently.]
[Uryu: "Ichigo, don't listen to him! He's just trying to mess with your head because he knows he's losing!"]
[Ginjo laughed coldly.]
[Ginjo: "Losing? You think the situation favors you? How naive."]
[His spiritual pressure flared dramatically, the stolen power radiating with dark intensity.]
[Ginjo: "I'm more than capable of handling both of you simultaneously. But before I finish this, let me enlighten you about something important."]
[His voice took on a mocking, theatrical tone.]
[Ginjo: "Do you know the real reason you were given that Substitute Shinigami badge?"]
[Ichigo's grip tightened on his zanpakuto.]
[Ginjo: "It was all a lie."]
[The words echoed ominously through the air.]
[Ginjo: "When they gave you that badge, they told you it was because you were beneficial to Soul Society, didn't they? That's what Ukitake said, right?"]
Captain Ukitake... Ichigo's mind flashed back to that conversation. The kind captain's words had seemed so sincere...
[Ginjo: "But that's complete bullshit!"]
[His voice rose to a shout.]
[Ginjo: "Whether you realized it or not, you received that badge under direct orders from the Gotei 13. And tell me - in all your battles here in the World of the Living, have you ever actually needed that badge for anything?"]
[Ichigo's expression grew troubled as he searched his memories.]
[Ginjo: "The answer is no, isn't it? You've fought Hollows, Arrancar, everything - and that badge never made a difference!"]
[He's... he's right. The realization hit Ichigo like ice water. I never actually used the badge for anything. So why did they give it to me?]
[Ginjo continued his psychological assault, his voice dripping with bitter knowledge.]
[Ginjo: "The truth is, it doesn't matter whether you have that badge or not for your duties. But WITH that badge, Soul Society can track your exact location at all times."]
[The air grew heavy with tension.]
[Ginjo: "More than that - they can monitor and control your spiritual pressure through it. Didn't you ever wonder about that?"]
[Ichigo's face went pale.]
[Ginjo: "The so-called 'Substitute Shinigami Badge' is actually a surveillance device connected directly to Soul Society. It absorbs and analyzes your spiritual pressure, allowing them to study and potentially manipulate it."]
[His laughter was sharp and bitter.]
[Ginjo: "Everything Soul Society has done has been to control you more effectively. And you've been ignoring these facts, playing right into their hands!"]
[The revelation hit not just Ichigo, but everyone watching across the three realms. In Soul Society, several captains shifted uncomfortably.]
[Ginjo's voice reached a crescendo of righteous fury.]
[Ginjo: "And the architect of this entire manipulation scheme? Your beloved Captain Ukitake Jushiro!"]
[Ichigo's sword trembled in his hands.]
[Ginjo: "His goal was to turn us into pawns for Soul Society's use. Compliant tools to be discarded when we become inconvenient."]
[The stolen Shinigami's expression grew deadly serious.]
[Ginjo: "If we resist, we get eliminated. Simple as that."]
[He pointed directly at Ichigo with his blade.]
[Ginjo: "Everyone in Soul Society knows about this system except you. You're the sacrifice they're preparing to offer up when the time comes."]
[For a moment, silence hung heavy in the air. Ichigo's mind raced, processing these devastating revelations.]
[Could it be true? Have I been... used this whole time?]
[But then Ichigo's expression hardened with familiar determination.]
[Ichigo: "You know what?"]
[He raised his zanpakuto, spiritual pressure beginning to surge around him like a golden inferno.]
[Ichigo: "I'm bored with all this talking."]
[His reiatsu exploded outward with tremendous force.]
[Ichigo: "BANKAI!"]
I don't care about politics or schemes, Ichigo thought fiercely. What matters is protecting the people I care about. Everything else is just noise!