The Strongest Shinigami! Ultimate Confrontation Between Teacher and Students

'''The Strongest Shinigami! Ultimate Confrontation Between Teacher and Students''' is the fifty-fifth episode of the Bleach anime.

Statistics

 * Original Airdate: October 25, 2005
 * English Airdate: March 16, 2008
 * Opening Song: Ichirin No Hana
 * Ending Song: Life
 * Manga Chapters: Chapter 153, Chapter 154, Chapter 155, Chapter 156.
 * Kanji: 最強の死神! 究極の師弟対決
 * Romaji: "Saikyō no Shinigami! Kyūkyaku no shitei taiketsu"
 * Arc: Soul Society: The Rescue arc

Summary
Ichigo Kurosaki and Byakuya Kuchiki stand with their blades locked, discussing their reasons for why they're doing what they are, with neither able to understand the motivations of the other. Deciding that talking is pointless, the two resume combat. Byakuya swears to defeat Ichigo and execute Rukia Kuchiki with his own hands, while Ichigo swears to stop him.

Meanwhile, Renji Abarai and Rukia are escaping from Sōkyoku Hill. Rukia demands that Renji go back and help Ichigo, and Renji refuses. He tells her about Ichigo's promise to repay his debt to her, but Rukia still regrets changing his life. Renji assures her that things will be fine and that no one ever thinks poorly of her for anything.

Back at Sōkyoku Hill, Kiyone Kotetsu rushes to the aid of her sister, Isane Kotetsu, and Sentarō rushes to help her, but incapacitated by Captain Soifon. Kiyone stops in her tracks, and Captain-Commander Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto holds Captains Jūshirō Ukitake and Shunsui Kyōraku at bay, for their treachery. Shunsui, Jūshirō and Nanao Ise retreat, with Yamamoto following, and Soifon prepares to kill Kiyone, but she is taken by surprise by Yoruichi Shihōin, and the two fall from Sōkyoku Hill.

Elsewhere, Retsu Unohana transports Isane and the injured back to the Fourth Division's headquarters for treatment, and Retsu asks Isane to follow her to an unrevealed location.

Meanwhile, Yamamoto berates Shunsui and Jūshirō for the crime they have committed. Seeing Yamamoto's power, Nanao reaches for her Zanpakutō, but makes eye contact with Yamamoto. His stare and reiatsu incapacitates Nanao, who falls to her hands and knees unable to breathe. Shunsui moves to shield her from Yamamoto's reiatsu, and he removes her from the battlefield. Shunsui returns and Yamamoto commends him for his exception Shunpo, and reflect on each of their outstanding performances and standing in the Shinou Academy. Then deeming that further talk is useless, Yamamoto removes his haori and releases his Zanpakutō, Ryūjin Jakka, as the battle between three of the four oldest captains in Seireitei begins.

Shinigami Cup Golden
The Karakura Superheroes fight and defeat a Hollow in Karakura Town while Zennosuke Kurumadani watches and wonders what they are.

Characters in order of appearance

 * Byakuya Kuchiki
 * Ichigo Kurosaki
 * Renji Abarai
 * Rukia Kuchiki
 * Kiyone Kotetsu
 * Sentarō Kotsubaki
 * Shunsui Kyōraku
 * Jūshirō Ukitake
 * Isane Kotetsu
 * Soifon
 * Nanao Ise
 * Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto
 * Yoruichi Shihōin
 * Retsu Unohana
 * Marechiyo Ōmaeda
 * Chōjirō Sasakibe

Powers and Techniques used
Techniques Used:


 * Shunpo (瞬歩, Flash steps)

Zanpakutō released:

Shikai


 * Minazuki (肉雫唼, "Purify the Flesh")
 * Ryūjin Jakka (流刃若火; "Flowing Flame Blade")