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 discuss 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 battle. Meanwhile, Renji Abarai and Rukia Kuchiki share a moment as they are trying to escape. At Sōkyoku Hill, Sentarō Kotsubaki is incapacitated by Soifon, and Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto holds Jūshirō Ukitake and Shunsui Kyōraku at bay, for their treachery. Shunsui, Jūshirō and Nanao Ise retreat, with Yamamoto following, and Soifon tries to kill Kiyone Kotetsu, but she is taken by surprise by Yoruichi Shihōin. Retsu Unohana and Isane Kotetsu transport the injured away for treatment, and Retsu asks Isane to follow her to an unrevealed location. Yamamoto berates his subordinates for the crime they have committed, and incapacitates Nanao with his Reiatsu when she moves to assist her captain. Shunsui removes her from the battlefield, as the battle between the strongest 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

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

Powers and 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")