Blind Solitude

Ginjo studies Ichigo as they trade blows and observes that his opponent hugs close to avoid being struck. Seizing a grip concealed within his blade, Ginjo opens a wound on Ichigo's leg and reveals that an inner handle lets him fight effectively at close quarters. He credits his choice to summon Orihime, noting that Ichigo draws out his strongest self when standing near someone he feels driven to shield.

Ichigo, however, senses nothing from Ginjo's weapon, and he weighs this against older duels. He remembers reading Gin Ichimaru's murderous will, and how even Tsukishima, without meeting his gaze, gave off an intent to kill. He suspects his blankness stems from an incomplete trust in Ginjo, who dismisses him for letting stray thoughts crowd his mind mid-battle and slashes across his eyes.

Riruka barges into Yukio's world clutching a box of doughnuts and demands he conjure a table and chairs for herself and Orihime. Over the food she asks about Orihime's family, and Orihime explains that her brother spirited her away from their parents when she was an infant, fearing they would harm her. She adds that he has since died and that a distant aunt now funds her, trimming the allowance whenever her grades slip, which pushed her to study harder. Asked how she can speak of it so freely, Orihime answers that Ichigo once rescued her. As Riruka departs, Orihime thanks her warmly and calls her kind.

After blinding Ichigo, Ginjo blocks Orihime from rushing to heal him and tells her simply to watch. He observes that when Ichigo forfeited his powers he also surrendered his conviction, and he vows to drag him back into the fight.

Part of Volume 51, Love me Bitterly Loth me Sweetly, this chapter falls in the Lost Substitute Shinigami arc and was dramatized as Episode 356, Foe or Friend?! Ginjo's Unseen Heart! The exchange over Orihime's childhood offers a rare look at her background during the Fullbring events.