argentum-serpens:

So~ does anyone think that Ishida Uryuu is pulling an Itachi (or a Gin, either way) on us?

Before letting you answer, I shall first indicate reasons why and why not Uryuu could be double-crossing the Vandenreich.

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Reasons Why

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1 - Tite Kubo enjoys giving us plot-twists which he thinks…

I think there are two points in the “why not” category that I’d disagree with— 

Uryuu hasn’t sincerely hated the Shinigami since the beginning. Yes, he treated them as enemies, with killing intent and handicapping, and yes, I do think he might still have mixed feelings there… but aside from Mayuri and those who worked with them, he knows they’re not all bad. He’s worked alongside them on various things, whether borrowing sewing equipment from the 4th division, or fighting with Rukia and Renji. Unless he was made to believe that THEY were the ones responsible for his mother and other things, saying “Uryuu hates Shinigami” doesn’t actually work.

As for Ichigo and Uryuu being rivals, they really… aren’t! It’s funny, because people tend to default assume that, but they’ve never had that Naruto-Sasuke thing going on. They competed only once — when Uryuu was first introduced and being a dumb-ass. Yes, I do think Uryuu likes to show off in front of him. Yes, he wanted Ichigo to see how strong he’d become, and likes to still say they’re enemies, et cetera. But we have not actually EVER seen either one compare themselves to the other. Uryuu has not expressed a need to be BETTER than Ichigo since the beginning. To be stronger than, to compete with him, to actually be a rival. Instead, he’s supported him in his own way, and played lip service to that role in a way that Orihime laughs and easily sees through. That lack of true comparison saved him in some ways, I think, from the Orihime+Chad category they’ve been lumped into, and also their angst about being left behind and not enough. He’s never worried about being ENOUGH for Ichigo, he’s always been an equal even without equal power.

THAT SAID, given ambiguity thusfar and the fact he HAS wanted recognition, I could see him wanting to show off new power. Especially if there’s some brainwashing involved, because I agree — I honestly cannot see Yhwach/Bach BELIEVING that Uryuu’s totally turned without something significant. Yhwach isn’t stupid and has doubtless done his research. Uryuu’s track record speaks for itself.

(ETA: and oh yeah the beginning of this arc set up an obvious Ichigo-Ishida confrontation and doubt as to whether or not they’re really friends, so there’s that.)

I’m just hoping that Urahara, Ryuuken, or Uryuu himself had a method to resist it that will either kick in now or later.