In the clearing, Ginjo's Reiatsu continued to rise.
Stripped of his powers, Ichigo lay on the ground, tightly clutching the unresponsive Substitute Shinigami Badge.
No one spoke.
Riruka looked at Ginjo, her eyes still filled with bewilderment and disbelief. Jackie and Giriko stood where they were, neither making an immediate choice.
Tsukishima had altered their memories.
But that did not mean they were willing to accept what Ginjo was doing now.
"Mr. Tsukishima..."
A soft voice suddenly broke the silence.
Orihime Inoue stepped out from behind Chad, holding her hands uneasily before her chest.
She glanced at Ichigo lying on the ground, her eyes already slightly red.
"Isn't this going too far with Kurosaki?"
Tsukishima turned and asked gently, "Orihime, what are you saying?"
"I don't know."
Orihime lowered her head, her voice trembling slightly.
"I know you saved me, and I know you've always been helping us. But Kurosaki is suffering right now."
"Seeing him like this hurts me here, too."
She pressed a hand to her chest.
That pain made no sense.
Her memories told her that Tsukishima was her cherished benefactor, that Ichigo had merely misunderstood everything and let anger cloud his judgment.
But when Ichigo's powers were stolen, when he lay on the ground howling, she could not simply stand by and keep watching.
Her body made its choice before her memories did.
"Please give him his powers back."
Orihime raised her head.
"Mr. Tsukishima, Mr. Ginjo, please stop hurting Kurosaki."
Chad said nothing.
He simply took a step forward and stood silently behind Orihime.
Giant's Right Arm slowly materialized.
That gesture alone conveyed everything he thought.
Ichigo raised his head with difficulty.
"Inoue... Chad..."
Even with their memories altered, they had still stepped forward.
Tsukishima looked at the two of them, the smile gradually fading