⊙﹏⊙

Grimmjow and Ulquiorra are both talking about the same thing here, though Grimmjow’s words have a bit of a double-meaning for a reason which I’ll get to in just a moment. To start, I’ll just address the initial meaning that both of their words share, and address just what Aizen did to Orihime that made her “fucked up on the inside” and “one of [them]”.

So during the HM arc, specifically during Rukia’s fight against Aaroniero, the plot very briefly touched on the Espada’s “synchronized awareness” ability that was one of Aaroniero’s duties. It was likened to something vaguely like the concept of a “hive mind” or a “shared consciousness”. This is how, for example, all of the Espada simultaneously knew when Aaroniero died. 

This is also how Orihime knew Rukia had died. 

Ichigo says it here himself, it’s not enough to tell that Rukia is dead just from faded reiatsu. There’s no way of knowing that Rukia is actually dead (and not just severely weakened/critically injured) without a visual confirmation. However, as Ulquiorra smoothly explains (much to Ichigo’s dismay) there is.

Note the composition of the page. The words, “to all of his comrades instantly” are positioned just beside Orihime’s head to tell the reader that Ulquiorra’s explanation applies to her as well; that she is a member of the hive mind (thus making her “one of [them]”). This is what also explains the discrepancy in both Ichigo and Renji’s disbelief at Rukia’s death, and Orihime’s clear alarm and panic.

Ichigo and Renji only sensed Rukia’s reiatsu fade, but Orihime watched her die. As evidenced by her closing her eyes, only to picture Rukia’s mangled body in her mind. If Orihime were not apart of this “synchronized awareness”, then she wouldn’t be able to visualize the data from a fight she wasn’t present to witness in person.

But she is a part of it, and by extension (as Ulquiorra put it) “already one of [them]”.

Now to address the reasoning behind doing this to her; Aizen used this as a torture tactic. He purposefully linked Orihime to the synchronized awareness to absolutely break her as she watched all her friends die for her while being unable to do anything. He ripped any sense of control she might have had from her fingertips, isolated her, and literally made her watch her friends be tortured and killed for the sole purpose of breaking her will.

Why did he do this? Aizen is sadistic, obviously. But I think he also did it for another reason:

This is the first time the story hints at the “synchronized awareness”, just after Chad’s fight with Gantenbainne and subsequent defeat at the hands of Nnoitra (way before Rukia’s fight with Aaroniero). Notice how starkly different Orihime’s expression is. Here, her will hasn’t broken, her hopes haven’t been crushed. I think Aizen anticipated she’d be stubborn to submit to him so willingly, and this is evidenced by how she’s refusing to believe Chad is dead despite probably having witnessed the proof herself. This is early on in her confinement, and she’s refusing to relent despite how much trauma she’s endured since her arrival. And for Aizen, it simply doesn’t do to have a pawn who’s not willing to comply. So he breaks her already crumbling resolve by making her sit through Rukia’s death, then Ichigo’s too. 

It's way too warm, the blorbos deserve a dip 🌟

Could this be a scam?

Hi there Anon!

This is, in fact, a scam!

I covered this a while back with another anon as seen here.

From that post, this was part of their ask, it's likely what you're experiencing if i'm not mistaken!:

I'm a member of the writing community here and I have noted an alarming number of new accounts claiming to be beta readers or even known Authors. These people will often show up in the comments under posts giving out generic positive praises/trying to be your friend/ Asking others to send them a DM for their beta reading service, which is probably them just using ai or 'feedback' of the story they so-called have read and the text reads as if it's ai. So these individuals could be putting others stories into ChatGPT or Prowritingaid's Beta Reader program (Which I forgot the name of). Here's an example of one I found in a post: "This is beautifully introspective. The imagery is strong, especially the contrast between “empathy softening my edges” and “just bones with a heartbeat.” If anything, you could lean even deeper into that tension the parts of yourself that feel too much versus the version that feels nothing. But as it is, the voice is clear and the emotional core hits. Really well done." ________ The user names of these accounts would always ends (from what I see) with Beta, Reader, or Script. The profiles are either empty or some generic message that goes like: "I am [name], a skilled book editor and beta reader. I provide clear, actionable feedback to enhance clarity, structure, pacing, and overall impact while keeping your voice intact. Share your draft anytime—I’ll help refine it." or "Writers, your story deserves the best! I offer Beta Reading, Book Editing, and Cover Design to help your manuscript shine from first draft to final cover. Let’s turn your words into a book readers can’t put down" If not then they may have something really similar like it.

Part 2 of that ask can be found here.

I also linked Kindle Direct Publishing's article there on how to identify these fake book publishing scams but I'll share it again:

Here is also a video from good ol Kitboga where he talks about book publishing scammers:

Just remember: You should never have to give money, to get money.

If someone is working to publish something and pay you, you shouldn't have to pay out any kind of 'fee' or the like. I'd also be very careful of signing up to any website they send you, as this could possibly steal your login information to your accounts!

Honestly I just wouldn't trust in any kind of 'promotion' or 'publishing' companies/services here on tumblr as a general rule. There are a lot of 'job' scams and 'free/easy ways to make money' here that people tend to fall for too.