"I shall single out…the moment of your greatest happiness in the coming future…and kill you then."
"From now on…every time you feel joy, you will recall my words. And each time…you will taste the fear of death you've been promised. Forever." - Yhwach Bleach ch. 680
A true warning, empty threat,...or a self fulfilling prophesy?
No matter the truth behind his words that day, Yhwach had ultimately achieved his goal. A lasting mark had been left on each hero of the Blood War.
Yasutora Sado (Chad) would set aside the long treasured promise to his Abuelo, throwing his punches for money rather than the protection of his friends.
Instead of pursuing his calling in the fashion industry, Uryū, last of the Ishida line, would follow in his fathers footsteps. Taking over the family business he despised while simultaneously giving up on the only woman he truly longed for.
Orihime Inoue, the once bright and creative girl, with numerous dreams for her future, would resign herself to the life of a housewife. Whilst she'd physically have the man she'd obsessed over for so long, his heart would never be hers.
As for the hero and heroine of the tale? Both would become trapped in comfortable marriages of convenience. One wedding the childhood friend who could never quite claw his way out of her brothers shadow while the other, took the hand of the healer princess in holy matrimony. Unlike the dying lines of Ishida and Yasutora, both would produce heirs with their second choices. Yet, no matter how much they loved their children, it would not stop the lingering questions that came to each in their moments of weakness. - What if Ichika's hair were orange instead of red? What if Kazui's eyes were violet...or his hair ebony?
Yes, while Ichigo may have won the battle that day, in may ways, it had been Yhwach who had ultimately won the war! For how could one possibly savor a victory while living in eternal fear?