I was honestly surprised to see Kariya again, even if it felt a little out of nowhere. But Byakuya really knows how to get into Ichigo's head, and I felt like that psychological battle was so much more impactful for Ichigo's growth, especially with the Vizards just standing by while that timer ticked down and his body was literally starting to give out. It just amps up the desperation, making me wonder how much more he can take.