— — — — — —
"Yes. I've already made up my mind."
Orihime answered almost instantly, as if she'd been prepared for this for a long time.
Hearing that, Ryo raised an eyebrow and asked, "Can I ask why?"
It wasn't that he suspected her of betrayal—he just wasn't sure what her reasoning was. And honestly, he was worried this lovestruck girl had been sweet-talked by some pretty boy later.
He wasn't about to let his healer get stolen away by someone whispering cheap lines at her. That would be a total loss on his investment.
Of course, the easiest solution would be for him to become that "pretty boy" himself and charm Orihime into circles. Then he'd never have to worry about losing her.
But… that was just wishful thinking. He didn't consider himself that charming.
Orihime took a deep breath before answering his question: "You probably don't know this, but… I saw my brother in the Soul Society."
That made Ryo's brow twitch.
He vaguely remembered that Orihime's brother had turned into a Hollow—and had died under Ichigo Kurosaki's Zanpakutō afterward.
Hollows who are purified turn back into ordinary souls and go to the Soul Society. That wasn't unusual. It wasn't like Quincies, who destroy Hollows and absorb the Reishi for themselves.
On this point, he had to admit—Shinigami handled things the right way.
Still, he was surprised Orihime had actually managed to find her brother—Sora Inoue—in that massive place. Must've been Yamamoto's doing. Maybe they planned to use Sora as leverage against her?
While he mulled over the possibilities, Orihime let out a bitter little smile.
"He… he didn't remember me."
"My condolences." Ryo's expression stayed calm.
Only a tiny fraction of souls sent to the Soul Society retained memories of their previous lives—usually those born naturally with strong spiritual power.
Clearly, Sora didn't fall into that category.
"It's okay," Orihime said softly. "He's built a new family there. He has a very lively wife. They get along really well."
She smiled as she spoke, but there was a shadow in her eyes. "But I also noticed the thing you mentioned before."
'The thing I mentioned?'
It had been too long since he last checked in on her—he couldn't even remember what he'd said back then. Still, he managed to put on a look of deep concern.
Whatever Sora had run into, it definitely wasn't good. Otherwise Orihime wouldn't be standing here making this kind of decision.
After all, according to the Soul Society, he and Aizen were Public Enemies, the kind of villains whose mere breathing was considered a crime.
"You probably don't know," Orihime continued, "but Lady Yoruichi once praised my spiritual control."
The bitterness in her tone deepened.
"And because of that… I can feel it clearly. My brother's soul is weakening. Constantly."
"Maybe… maybe in less than five years, he'll be devoured by the Soul Society itself."
"Just like you once told me—the Soul Society eats their people."
'So that's what this is about…' Ryo finally understood.
When he'd first arrived in the Bleach world and entered the Soul Society, he'd noticed reishi constantly flowing into a locked dimensional space. Slow but steady. Combined with Aizen's notes, it wasn't hard to figure out that the Soul Society's system literally consumed souls.
Now it seemed Orihime had confirmed that herself—and that was why she chose to take his side.
If Aizen successfully took over and reformed the system, her brother might live several extra years. But if the Zero Division kept ruling things, Sora probably had five years left at best. Maybe even less.
Especially since people like Urahara and Mayuri treated the souls of Rukongai like an endless supply of lab materials, picking them up whenever they needed.
With that in mind, Ryo asked, expression complicated. "So you want to change the Soul Society because of your brother?"
Orihime shook her head gently.
"No. I just don't want more people like me… people who have to go through this."
"Ah. Oh, look at that, so you're a saint." Ryo sighed with emotion.
"A… saint?"
Orihime blinked, then stared at him in confusion. "This is the second time you've called me that, isn't it? I'm only doing this because of my own situation… It's really not worthy of such high praise."
Ryo looked at the girl—who clearly did not understand internet slang—and said calmly, "No. I meant it as an insult."
"Eh?" Orihime froze completely.
How is 'saint' an insult?
Before she could ask, Ryo flicked his fingers.
In an instant, Tsukishima, Ginjo, and Soi Fon vanished into a pocket dimension. Then he reached out a hand toward Orihime.
"Time to go, Orihime."
"Okay." She nodded lightly and took his hand.
He pulled her closer—close enough that he could smell the faint perfume on her—and said, "You're not joining Aizen's faction. You're joining mine. Directly."
"Eh? Really?" Orihime asked, startled.
"Really."
Ryo smiled and set a hand on her shoulder.
"If you see Aizen later, don't get nervous. You're part of Arcadia now. Whether you show him respect or not—completely up to you."
"As for his subordinates? Just treat them like trash."
'Isn't that a bit much…?' Orihime stared at him, dazed, and before her mind caught up, Ryo had already pulled her into the black hole.
Clack.
The black hole shut.
Everything fell silent, leaving only a streetlamp surveillance camera watching over the empty road.
---
Soul Society – Seireitei – First Division Meeting Hall
Thunk!
Yamamoto slammed his cane against the floor. His gaze was icy as he stared at the huge, round figure kneeling before him.
"Omaeda Marechiyo. Do you understand your crime?"
Omaeda had just finished delivering Soi Fon to the 4th Division when he was summoned here. Now, faced with Yamamoto and the gathered captains, his legs gave out entirely. He collapsed into a kneel, trembling.
"Head Captain, I'm innocent! I wasn't hiding my strength!"
.
.
.