User blog comment:GinIchimaru/Gin in context./@comment-1268838-20100901140455

2c) Gin said it himself. By saying that to Gin, Ichigo was acknowledging the possibility that he himself wouldn't survive the fight against Aizen, as if he had already lost the battle. Seeing how powerful Aizen had become struck fear into Ichigo, and made him lose his resolve to fight. Gin saw Ichigo as a potential successor, but right there and then, he saw his cowardice and was disgusted by it. From the looks of it, it was the look in Ichigo's eyes that mattered the most - they always reflected the amount of doubt and fear he had. Hence why he was able to acknowledge Ichigo as his successor after his return from the Dangai.