Orihime Inoue & Shūhei Hisagi vs. Mabashi & Rukia Kuchiki

 is a battle taking place during the Bount Invasion that consists of the conflict between Orihime Inoue and Mabashi, who takes control of Rukia Kuchiki and is later confronted by 9th Division Lieutenant Shūhei Hisagi.

Prelude
When Rukia Kuchiki, Orihime Inoue, and Kurōdo begin to run away from their battle with her, Yoshi, having stood still and meditated like her Doll, Nieder, instructed her to, wonders if this is enough, prompting Nieder to affirm this and point out that there is no point in doing this if the enemy gets away, which leads a startled Yoshi to notice the three of them running off. Refusing to let them get away, Yoshi jumps high into the air and throws Nieder toward the full moon, where the two spinning halves revel in the correct timing and how beautiful they look prior to hurtling toward Rukia. Suddenly, as Orihime moves to shield Rukia with her own body, Nieder bounces off of her harmlessly with a metallic clang, confusing Yoshi.

With Nieder flying back into the air, Mabashi appears several feet away from Yoshi on the rooftop she landed on and offers to take over from here because old women should not be involved in this. After catching Nieder, an irate Yoshi demands to know what Mabashi is doing, only for Mabashi to stick out his tongue and assert that everything is fine due to him now feeling like an omnipotent and omniscient god. Despite Yoshi deducing that he is drunk on the taste of his first living Soul, Mabashi simply calls her ugly and rushes toward her, but leaps over a battle-ready Yoshi at the last second and lands before Rukia, Orihime, and Kurōdo on the ground below.

Mabashi partially unzips his top to reveal the collar around his neck and removes the crystal hanging off of it before dropping it and summoning his Doll, Ritz, causing a yellow flower on a purple stem to grow out of the point in the ground that the crystal sinks into and extend all the way up to Mabashi's outstretched hand, where it furls outward and retracts the stem into the main body to form Ritz. While Rukia and her friends realize that this is a Doll and Yoshi inquires what Mabashi plans to do with her, Mabashi has Ritz fly past Rukia's group and up the side of the building to confront a surprised Yoshi, who begins slashing at her and reminding Ritz that she is an ally.

Unable to strike Ritz, Yoshi leaps off the side of the building, with Ritz following her down, and jabs upward with the sword of Nieder, but Ritz effortlessly maneuvers around the blade and Yoshi's arm to reach her left shoulder, where she flattens her head into a thin tendril and stabs it into Yoshi's neck, causing the latter to scream in pain and violently throw Ritz to the ground, which leads Ritz to giggle and flatten into a tendril once more prior to jabbing it into the ground and disappearing. Laughing at this, Mabashi criticizes Yoshi for not paying any attention to how she presents herself when in danger, which he considers unsightly and further proof that she is ugly.

When Ritz returns to his side from the ground near his feet and asks him if there is anything else that he wants her to do, Mabashi instructs Ritz to wait, which she complies with, and asks Yoshi what she is going to do. Still angered by his interference, Yoshi accuses Mabashi of being out of his mind and decides to let him take over the fight since she cannot keep up with him before returning a resigned Nieder to the sealed form of a folded paper form and jumping back up to the rooftop. After vowing to get revenge on Mabashi for this, Yoshi runs off, leaving Mabashi to laugh maniacally as Kurōdo admits that he never thought Yoshi could be so frightened and questions what Ritz is.

Battle
As she tells Orihime to stand aside, Rukia fires '''Hadō 33. Sōkatsui at Mabashi, who leaps out of the way of the blast with Ritz''' to a storage container behind the blast and orders her to play with them. Acknowledging this, Ritz flies forward, leading Rukia to roll to her right and Kurōdo to roll to his left with Orihime, and when Ritz turns diagonally right and left to hurtle past an evading Rukia and Kurōdo again, Kurōdo expresses shock at her being able to maneuver like this when an elevator can only go up and down. Upon seeing Ritz crash into the ground and burrow underneath it, Rukia warns Orihime to be careful since they do not know where Ritz will emerge.

Suddenly, Ritz bursts out of the ground beneath Rukia's left foot, which she frantically withdraws, and returns to Mabashi's side as she asks him if there is anything else that he wants her to do, causing Mabashi to laugh maniacally once more and proclaim that it is time for them to stop playing as he snaps his fingers. After acknowledging this, Ritz arches up the petals around her head and rockets toward Rukia in a zigzag pattern. Upon evading Ritz, Rukia is astonished to see her blast through the garage shutter behind her and through several other warehouses on the complex in rapid succession, causing an intimidated Kurōdo to comment on the high speed of Ritz.

Listening to Ritz damage the surrounding buildings, Rukia wonders where she is, and when Ritz moves through the ground and bursts out near her, Rukia attempts to attack with Kidō, but is unable to do so prior to Ritz ricocheting off the ground near her, which leads her to realize that she cannot use Kidō under these conditions. Mabashi describes Ritz as cute and snaps his fingers again, resulting in Ritz halting her assault on Rukia and instead moving to Orihime, whom she loops around dozens of times. With Orihime frightened by this, Rukia struggles to find an opening in the movements of Ritz to help her during and finds a broken metal fixture on the ground that she whacks Ritz with.

As a dazed Ritz falls to the ground and burrows into it, Rukia looks at and tosses away the broken fixture while Kurōdo enthusiastically praises her performance. However, as Orihime thanks Rukia for her help, Ritz rises up behind her and rushes forward, forcing Rukia to shove Orihime to the ground before having Ritz embed herself in her chest and swim inside. Staring down in shock at this, Rukia collapses, to the concern of Orihime and Kurōdo, as Mabashi continues to laugh maniacally. When Orihime demands to know what is so funny, Mabashi states that she will know soon enough and snaps his fingers once more, causing Rukia to open her eyes with unfocused pupils.

While a confused Orihime stares at her, Rukia stands up with a glazed expression and turns to face Mabashi, who addresses her as Ritz and calls her cute. Kurōdo wonders what is happening while Mabashi orders Rukia to tell him her name, and when Rukia says her name, Mabashi asserts that it sounds nice and makes her worthy of being his newest subordinate, to Orihime's surprise. Agreeing to work for Mabashi, Rukia grabs Orihime by the collar and hoists her into the air, frightening her and Kurōdo. With Orihime questioning why she is doing this, a chuckling Mabashi explains that Ritz allows him to control people by entering their bodies and declares that Rukia will do whatever he wants her to do since she now has no free will of her own.

Upon being ordered by Mabashi to kill Orihime and Kurōdo, Rukia turns and throws a screaming Orihime high into the air, which prompts Mabashi to revel in the power granted to him by consuming living Souls. Suddenly, before Orihime hits the ground, the Shun Shun Rikka burst out of her hairpins and grab her shirt in order to lift her back up into the air, where Shun'ō observes that it has been a while and Lily claims that Orihime is a handful. Though Orihime is overjoyed to be flying through the air, Tsubaki warns her that now is not the time to be happy while Mabashi instructs Rukia to attack them, resulting in Rukia firing '''Hadō #31. Shakkahō''' at Orihime.

With Kurōdo frantically telling Orihime to get away, the blast explodes right next to her, sending Orihime hurtling toward the ground. However, Orihime manages to cushion her fall with Santen Kesshun, which dissipates as Orihime thanks Lily, Baigon, and Hinagiku, only for Kurōdo to draw her attention to Rukia slowly approaching her. Despite Orihime begging Rukia to stop, Mabashi dismissively reveals that Rukia cannot hear anything she or Kurōdo say, and when Rukia prepares to fire '''Hadō #33. Sōkatsui, Kurōdo tells Orihime that they need her Santen Kesshun for defense, leading Orihime to form another Santen Kesshun''' just in time to block Rukia's blast.

Orihime is sent flying back upon being overpowered by the blast, but assures Kurōdo that she is alright as the latter runs to her side and observes that Rukia has extraordinary power to be able to attack with such force. Mabashi insults Orihime and Kurōdo for not realizing this sooner and orders Rukia to keep going, which prompts Rukia to fire another '''Hadō #33. Sōkatsui''' at Orihime and Kurōdo. While Orihime shields them from the energy with Santen Kesshun, Kurōdo asserts that they need defense before being blasted back alongside Orihime when the energy breaks through Santen Kesshun, where Orihime sees that she has landed on top of Kurōdo's crotch and apologizes to him.

Having had her right hand left slightly burnt by this last attack, a sweating and fatigued Rukia falls to her knees as Orihime inquires if everyone is okay and Kurōdo notes that they will not be able to keep taking hits even if they defended themselves this time. Upon being ordered by Mabashi to draw out more of Rukia's power, Ritz complies and exerts Rukia's white Reiatsu through her body before pushing Rukia's Soul out of her Gigai, where Ritz is attached to her chest by several purple root-like veins. While Orihime reacts in shock and Mabashi praises this, Rukia opens her eyes and her Zanpakutō appears on her hip, leaving Kurōdo greatly concerned.

After detailing how Ritz is drawing out Rukia's power to the limit and plans on using it until her body falls apart, Kurōdo concludes that Rukia's body is in danger at this rate, and as Rukia begins fiercely attacking with her Zanpakutō, Orihime blocks the strikes with another Santen Kesshun formed in front of her hands and pleads with Rukia to stop. With Orihime tearfully begging her to open her eyes, Rukia leaps back from her last strike, leaving the Santen Kesshun to shatter, and yells before rushing forward, which leads Lily and Hinagiku to call out to Orihime in concern. Upon seeing this, Orihime forms another Santen Kesshun at the last second.

Rukia's slash is blocked by the formation of the Santen Kesshun and she is sent crashing on her back by the resulting energy burst. Though Orihime is worried by this, Tsubaki admonishes her for wasting time and instructs Orihime to attack with Koten Zanshun while Shun'ō reminds Orihime that they cannot do anything without her making the decision due to being the embodiment of her will. As Hinagiku points out that Rukia is getting up to attack again, Orihime refuses to use Koten Zanshun, to Tsubaki's irritation, and is pulled out of the way of Rukia's subsequent attack by Tsubaki, Lily, and Hinagiku pulling her to the side by her hair despite her protests.

Embracing Orihime when she is pulled into his arms, Kurōdo asks her if she is alright, which Orihime affirms, while a laughing Mabashi inquires how it feels for Orihime to know that she must hurt her friend in order to survive. As he descends behind Orihime, Tsubaki kicks her in the back of the head and angrily dismisses Orihime's pained reaction before demanding to know how long she is going to keep fighting defensively. With Orihime asserting that she cannot fight Rukia, the latter raises her hand and fires '''Hadō #33. Sōkatsui''' once more, resulting in a powerful explosion. As the smoke clears in the aftermath, an injured Orihime and Kurōdo lie on the ground.

Shun'ō flies down next to Orihime and asks her if she is alright, and as Orihime affirms this, a cackling Mabashi claims that he cannot get enough of this. With Lily expressing concern over the severity of Orihime's wounds, Orihime inquires how the Shun Shun Rikka are doing, leading Tsubaki to complain about how his injury will not stop bleeding prior to ordering Orihime to use Koten Zanshun while he still has power. Despite this, Orihime refuses to hurt Rukia because she wants to save her and recalls how her friends and the Shinigami went to great effort and suffered severe injuries in order to rescue Rukia in Soul Society, a sentiment which she shared even though she could not do anything.

While Rukia raises her Zanpakutō, Orihime laments this conflict coming to pass and apologizes for repeating herself as she proclaims that Rukia is her friend whom she wants to eat lunch and study with, meaning that she cannot use Koten Zanshun on her. Approaching Orihime from behind and placing his hand on her shoulder, Kurōdo informs her that he has another plan they can use and grins broadly. Kurōdo explains that he and Orihime should attack Mabashi rather than Rukia, since he is the one controlling the Doll that is controlling Rukia, and revels in how good his plan is, only for Orihime to refuse to do this as well because Bount are still Human and she does not want to attack Humans.

However, Kurōdo insists she cannot be worried about that right now since they will be killed along with Rukia if they do not defeat Mabashi here, which will lead to the whole world being thrown into chaos. Though Orihime is still hesitant, Kurōdo assures her they only need to injure Mabashi enough to prevent him from using his Doll any further, then catch and heal him afterward rather than outright kill him. With Mabashi inquiring what they are going to do after finishing their strategy meeting, a determined Orihime calls down Tsubaki, who observes she finally feels like doing it and transforms into his attack mode as Mabashi orders Rukia to deal with them. Seeing Rukia rushing toward him and Orihime, Kurōdo urges the latter to hurry and restrains Rukia, but when Orihime fires Koten Zanshun at Mabashi, Rukia moves in front of him with Shunpo and has her leg cut.

While Orihime and Kurōdo gasp in shock, Rukia falls to her knees on the shipping container and props herself up with her Zanpakutō, followed by a laughing Mabashi declaring that he remains unprotected because Rukia will fight for him until she dies. See Rukia stand up once more, Orihime remains standing still in astonishment as Mabashi instructs Rukia to attack once more. However, when Rukia appears in front of Orihime and slashes at her, 9th Division Lieutenant Shūhei Hisagi moves between them and intercepts the strike with his own Zanpakutō, leading a confused Orihime to wonder who he is while a concerned Hisagi stares down at Rukia.

Upon being attacked by Rukia at Mabashi's command, Hisagi moves behind her with Shunpo and questions what is going on, and when Orihime informs him that a Doll is controlling Rukia, Hisagi sees Ritz on her chest and realizes that this is Mabashi's ability while blocking and evading several subsequent strikes from Rukia. Hisagi attempts to attack a grinning Mabashi directly, only for Rukia to appear between them and push Hisagi back to Orihime and Kurōdo with a powerful blow. With Hisagi concluding that he has no choice but to cut Rukia as well, Orihime protests this and Mabashi invites him to do so since there are many other hosts for Ritz to possess.

After deciding to put Ritz in Hisagi's body next, a cackling Mabashi orders Rukia to attack, only to be confused and repeat himself when Rukia remains stationary. Rukia's eyes regain focus as she utters Orihime's name, shocking those present, and Mabashi deduces that she is fighting Ritz, who expresses disbelief alongside Mabashi at Rukia being able to do this. Upon being told to fire at her by Rukia, a tearful Orihime wonders what she is talking about and refuses to do so, but Rukia continues to insist that she attack, which Hisagi commends her for. Though Orihime protests this, Hisagi details how painful it is for Rukia to be controlled by Mabashi and forced to hurt her friends.

While Hisagi concludes that killing Rukia while she can still hold onto her pride as a Shinigami is the greatest form of mercy they can give her and that this is what she also wishes for, Rukia begs them to fire at her once more prior to screaming in pain and falling back under the control of Ritz. A relieved Mabashi comments on Rukia causing him unnecessary trouble and Hisagi vows to put Rukia to rest right now as Tsubaki assures Orihime that he can go at any time, Hinagiku encourages her to finish it, and Kurōdo apologetically asserts that there is no other way. Wiping away her tears, Orihime tells Hisagi that she will do this, which he acknowledges while lowering his Zanpakutō.

With Orihime slowly walking toward her with the Shun Shun Rikka, Rukia raises her right hand and begins reciting the incantation for '''Hadō #33. Sōkatsui'''. However, Orihime calls on Shun'ō and Ayame, to their surprise, and as Rukia fires the blast, Orihime immediately and silently shields herself with Santen Kesshun, astonishing an initially amused Mabashi who believed she was killed, before resuming her approach and glowing with golden-yellow Reiatsu while Shun'ō explains that they are the power of Orihime's heart and grow stronger when her feelings become stronger. When Orihime fires Koten Zanshun at him, Mabashi narrowly evades it and leaps down to the ground.

Angered by Rukia's inaction, Mabashi demands that she fire again, prompting Rukia to unleash several more '''Hadō #33. Sōkatsui, all of which are blocked by Orihime's Santen Kesshun''' without it suffering any damage. Upon seeing Rukia draw her Zanpakutō, Orihime embraces Rukia and initiates Sōten Kisshun, forming a barrier around the two of them that successfully separates a screaming Ritz from Rukia, who regains control of her body. Exiting Rukia's body and bouncing back into Mabashi's hands, Ritz expresses disgust at Orihime and what she has done, leading Mabashi to question what her power is. Within Sōten Kisshun, Rukia has her injuries healed and collapses.

When an enraged Mabashi has Ritz fly forward and attempt to take control of Orihime, Hisagi appears between them and cuts Ritz down with his Zanpakutō, severing one of her petals and forcing her to return to her sealed form, which an astonished Mabashi catches. With Hisagi vowing to finish him off now so he can no longer do this, a yelling Mabashi leaps toward him with the intent to kill Hisagi, but as the latter slashes downward at Mabashi, Maki Ichinose appears between them and intercepts Hisagi's strike with his own Zanpakutō while simultaneously knocking out Mabashi with a strike to the chest using his Zanpakutō sheath, leaving Hisagi shocked.

Aftermath
After hoisting Mabashi over his shoulder, Ichinose leaps onto the shipping container and disappears with Shunpo despite Hisagi's protests. Hisagi recognizes Ichinose and muses that the rumor about him joining the Bount was true as he looks over at Orihime and Rukia, the former of whom lets Sōten Kisshun dissipate and joyfully grasps Rukia by the shoulders. As Rukia thanks her, Orihime tearfully expresses her happiness and a pleased Kurōdo begins sniffling as well.