Conclusion of the Death Match! White Pride and Black Desire

'''Conclusion of the Death Match! White Pride and Black Desire''' is the fifty-ninth episode of the Bleach anime.

Statistics

 * Original Airdate: November 22, 2005
 * English Airdate: April 13, 2008
 * Opening Song: Ichirin No Hana
 * Ending Song: Life
 * Manga Chapters: Chapter 164, Chapter 165, Chapter 166, Chapter 167.
 * Kanji: 死闘決着! 白き誇りと黒き想い
 * Romaji: "Shitō ketchaku! Shiroki hokori to kuroki omoi"
 * Arc: Soul Society: The Rescue arc

Summary
Chad, Orihime, Uryū and Ganju, accompanied by Makizō Aramaki, are making their way up the Sōkyoku, following Ichigo's spiritual pressure. Having reached the top, they encounter 11th Division lieutenant, Yachiru Kusajishi, who informs them of Rukia's escape. Uryū speculates that Ichigo is fighting someone powerful, saying that just freeing Rukia wasn't enough, and that it was also necessary to thoroughly defeat the enemy.

Aramaki qustions their devotion to Rukia, but Orihime responds by saying that Rukia is more than just a friend, because she means that much to Ichigo. Because it was Rukia that changed Ichigo's life and Ichigo that changed all of their lives.

Meanwhile at the execution sight, Byakuya pushes Ichigo's blade away. He then proceeds to use his Senkei, saying it is what happens when he abandons all defense, and risks everything to kill his enemy. He remarks that Ichigo is only the second person to witness it. The duel commences and huge amounts of spiritual pressure are released. Uryū suggests they find a safer place to wait, but Orihime insists on staying.

Ichigo realizes Byakuya has gained speed since revealing his Senkei, but is confident in his ability to counter it. While their swords are locked, Byakuya surprizes Ichigo by summoning another sword from within the Senkei and skewering Ichigo's foot, nailing him to the ground, and then attacking him with Byakurai through the shoulder. Ichigo, now severly injured, struggles to move his unwilling body while Byakuya's blade nears him. His desperate struggle calls out his inner Hollow, who appears as the mask is being formed on Ichigo's face, to block Byakuya's sword and then respond with two slashes to Byakuya's body.

The hollow tells Ichigo that his own body can't handle the strains involved with using the Bankai. Saying he will show Ichigo how to use the Bankai properly, the Hollow attacks using a black Getsuga Tenshō, much to the surprise of Byakuya, who escapes using flash steps twice before getting hit by a surprise attack from the back.

The Hollow is about to continue his attack when Ichigo intervenes and rips off the mask. He apologizes to Byakuya for the Hollow's intrusion. Byakuya replies that he won't ask him about the hollow and says that neither of them have enough strength to keep fighting for much longer. He suggests they finish the fight with one final attack. Ichigo agrees, but wants to know why Byakuya did nothing to save Rukia. Byakuya replies that should Ichigo defeat him he will answer that question.

Byakuya uses his Shūkei Hakuteiken, focusing all the cutting power of Senbonzakura into one blade. Ichigo complements the beauty of the technique, but says all he can do is focus all of his spiritual pressure into one single attack. As their swords clash the effect is so powerful it can be seen and felt throughout the Seireitei. When the echoes subside both men are injured. Remembering the attack, Byakuya understands his sword has been shattered. He then explains to Ichigo his beliefs about upholding the law even at the expense of relatives. Ichigo answers that if the shoe was on the other foot he would fight such a stupid law and end it. Byakuya understands Ichigo's perspective and lets him know that he had won and that Byakuya will pursue Rukia no more, then he flash steps away.

Ichigo lets out a victory roar but is forced to stop when the world around him starts spinning, he begins to fall but his fall is broken when he bumps heads with Orihime. Orihime and the others tank him for surviving.

At the entrance to the central 46, Tōshirō Hitsugaya is resolved to enter even by use of force if necessary. As he cuts through the door he realizes the alarm doesn't go off and there are no guards at the door, he says someone must have murdered the guards and after entering resealed the door. Hitsugaya and his lieutenant enter the building and it soon becomes clear that the place is deserted. they run down to the main hall, only to stop cold at the entrance, gazing in horror at what they have found.

Characters in order of appearance

 * Makizō Aramaki
 * Ganju Shiba
 * Uryū Ishida
 * Orihime Inoue
 * Yasutora Sado
 * Yachiru Kusajishi
 * Rukia Kuchiki
 * Ichigo Kurosaki
 * Byakuya Kuchiki
 * Hollow Ichigo
 * Tōshirō Hitsugaya
 * Rangiku Matsumoto

Powers and Techniques used
Zanpakutō released:

Shikai:

N/A

Bankai:
 * Tensa Zangetsu (天鎖斬月, Heavenly Chain Moon Cutter/Cutting Moon)
 * Senbonzakura Kageyoshi (千本桜景厳, Vibrant Display of a Thousand Cherry Blossoms)

Kidō used:
 * Hadō #4 Byakurai (白雷, Pale Lightning)

Techniques used:
 * Senkei (殲景, Massacre Scene)
 * Getsuga Tenshō (月牙天衝, Moon Fang Heaven-Piercer)
 * Shūkei Hakutiken (終景白帝剣, Final Scene White Imperial Sword)