This is the Arc in which Ichigo finally conveyed his priorities, in which we were finally able to discern whom Ichigo cared for most, in which Ichigo chose Rukia over Orihime
.
Anyways, remember the scene in which Chad reiatsu died down?

Ichigo:
#ichiruki

He has no choice but to sacrifice Chad for the sake of accomplishing his ‘goal’.
But what happens when Rukia’s reiatsu fades?
Kubo intentionally put Ichigo in a scenario where he chose Rukia, placing her above Chad, Orihime, and the mission.

Ichigo:
.
#ichiruki

“Where are you going?”
“To save Rukia.”
One of my absolute favourite moments in Bleach. Ulquiorra even expects Ichigo to hurry on and rescue Orihime. But rather than doing so, Ichigo places Rukia on top of Chad, Orihime, and his sense of duty.
.
#ichiruki

Many like to argue that this is contradicted by Ichigo’s attack upon Ulquiorra when he mentioned he had deceived Orihime. However, this argument is completely invalid. Why? Because what Ichigo says and does completely contradicts the notion.
.
#ichiruki

He tells Nel that Ulquiorra would not let him pass rather than state that he needed to avenge some girl. Ichigo fought Ulquiorra to get to Rukia. Kubo decides to highlight Ichigo’s distrust in Hime here as well; this completely contrasts Ichigo’s high trust in Rukia.
#ichiruki

Now highlighting more evidence, Ichigo mentions that he is in a hurry. In a hurry to avenge Orihime? The very thought is ridiculous. No, Ichigo is desperate to reach a dying Rukia and is therefore desperate to remove the Espada in his way.
.
#ichiruki

Now this is interesting because Ichigo does not at all mention his urgency to rescue Orihime during his battle with Grimmjow too :)
.
#ichiruki

And finally, once Ichigo believed he had defeated Ulquiorra, he tells Nel that they haven’t the time to waste and moves away from the stairs and towards Rukia rather than Orihime.
Placing Rukia above Orihime, Chad, and duty once again.
.
#ichiruki

So for anyone saying Ichigo put Orihime first in this part.
.
.
Please...
.
#ichiruki