Sode no Shirayuki vs. Rukia! Delusion of the Heart

Sode no Shirayuki vs. Rukia is the two-hundred thirty-second episode of the Bleach anime.

Rukia and Ichigo battle Sode no Shirayuki and Muramasa is revealed to be a Zanpakutō spirit.

Summary
Rukia Kuchiki appears in the Soul Society and goes to the Sixth Division barracks to check if her adopted brother Byakuya Kuchiki is there. When Renji Abarai tells her that he has sent out a search party to look for Byakuya, who hasn't returned, she seems to be crestfallen. Later, she encounters Sode no Shirayuki, her Zanpakutō, and engages her in battle. She states that she doesn't want to fight her and Sode no Shirayuki merely replies that holding back will result in her death. Rukia tries to defend herself, but Sode no Shirayuki asks, "Do you think my power's yours? I'll show you the difference. I was once your Zanpakutō and I allowed that. However, I had no choice, but now, I am free."

Sode no Shirayuki attacks Rukia with Some no mai, Tsukishiro, but Rukia quickly flash steps out of the way. Sode no Shirayuki tells her not to underestimate her power, and she hurls icicles at Rukia, who quickly dodges. Sode no Shirayuki then pulls out a katana similar to Rukia's Shikai, and proceeds to use Some no mai, Tsukishiro again on Rukia, who fails to dodge. As Sode no Shirayuki is about to finish her off, Ichigo appears to protect Rukia.

Sode no Shirayuki attacks Ichigo numerous times and then says, "Do not hold back because I am Rukia Kuchiki's Zanpakutō. In truth, I am free and no longer her Zanpakutō." She tells him that his hesitation will result in his defeat, but Ichigo Kurosaki prepares another attack. Before he can unleash it, Rukia asks Ichigo to stop, as it is her fight. Rukia turns her attention to Sode no Shirayuki, and tells her that she was grateful for the time they spent together and that Sode no Shirayuki was now free. Rukia uses Bakudō 61 on Sode no Shirayuki, and tells her that she will live without her, because her anger, hatred and sadness means that she isn't a part of her anymore. Rukia then goes on to say that they were once part of each other, but that she's now giving up the power Sode no Shirayuki gave to her as a Shinigami. She then uses Hadō 73, which blasts them away from each other. Surprised that Rukia let her go, Sode no Shirayuki reaches out to grab Rukia's hand, but Muramasa stops her. Ichigo asks him who he is, to which Muramasa replies that he is a Zanpakutō.

Arrancar Encyclopedia
Gin lets Ichigo host the segment to prove to him how rough it is. The three top Espada; Starrk, Baraggan and Harribel are on the panel but they refuse to utter a syllable.

Characters in Order of Appearance

 * 1) Rukia Kuchiki
 * 2) Renji Abarai
 * 3) Muramasa
 * 4) Gonryōmaru (flashback)
 * 5) Byakuya Kuchiki (flashback)
 * 6) Senbonzakura (flashback)
 * 7) Sode no Shirayuki
 * 8) Yoruichi Shihōin
 * 9) Ichigo Kurosaki
 * 10) Kaien Shiba (flashback)

Fights

 * Rukia Kuchiki vs. Sode no Shirayuki (concluded)

Powers and Techniques Used
Techniques used:

Kidō used:
 * Bakudō #61 (flashback)
 * Hadō #33
 * Hadō #73

Zanpakutō released:

Shikai:

Bankai: