Byakuya, Disappearing with the Cherry Blossoms

 is the two hundred and thirty-first episode of the Bleach anime.

Ichigo Kurosaki battles against the manifested Zanpakutō spirit Sode no Shirayuki, who arrives in the Human World while chasing Rukia Kuchiki.

Summary
In Karakura Town, Ichigo Kurosaki leaps into the air while in his Shinigami form. Sensing a large amount of Reiatsu, he wonders who it belongs to. Landing on top of a telephone pole, he leaps off before moving to a riverbank with Shunpo.

Moving to the other side of the river with Shunpo, Ichigo senses the Reiatsu once more as a Senkaimon appears above him. As it opens, Rukia Kuchiki emerges, prompting Ichigo to call out to her. As the Senkaimon closes and vanishes, Rukia falls to the ground below.

Catching her, Ichigo kneels and asks Rukia if she is okay. As he asks who did this to her, Rukia opens her eyes and states it is good to see him. Saying there is no need to worry, she grunts in pain, prompting Ichigo to ask how he could not worry, for she is injured. As he asks once more who did this to her, he senses the Reiatsu once more as a bright light shines behind him. As he moves away with Shunpo, another Senkaimon appears.

As mist covers the ground, a white-haired woman emerges from the Senkaimon, which vanishes. As she sets foot on the ground, the grass around her freezes in an expanding circle. As the circle of ice approaches him, Ichigo moves to a nearby hill and sets Rukia down. Wondering who the woman is, Ichigo wonders if she is a Hollow. As he notes she does not have a mask or Hollow hole, the woman turns and states Ichigo is Karakura Town's Shinigami.

When she asks if this is correct, Ichigo gets up and demands to know who she is. Snorting in derision, she sends a wave of ice towards him, prompting Ichigo to draw Zangetsu and fire a Getsuga Tenshō in response. Obliterating the ice, the blast travels towards the woman, who moves away before it hits her. As the blast smashes into the ground, Ichigo looks at the bridge, which the woman is standing on top of. When she says she will take Rukia now, Ichigo expresses confusion.

Looking at Rukia, who is sweating, Ichigo turns to the woman and proclaims he does not know who she is, but she is not going to take Rukia. Stating she sees now, the woman moves to Ichigo and says he is the Substitute Shinigami. Leaping away, Ichigo lands and asks how the woman knows him. Drawing her sword, the woman uses Some no mai, Tsukishiro, causing the white circle to form on the ground around Ichigo. As Ichigo moves away with Shunpo, a pillar of ice forms and shatters.

As Ichigo recognizes the attack, the woman uses Tsugi no mai, Hakuren, sending a wave of ice from the tip of her blade towards Ichigo. Cursing, Ichigo fires another Getsuga Tenshō, countering the wave. Appearing in front of the woman, Ichigo slashes at her, only for his blade to sink into the ground as the woman shatters into ice. As the smiling woman appear behind him, Ichigo turns and demands to know who she is and proclaims Some no mai, Tsukishiro and Tsugi no mai, Hakuren are Rukia's techniques.

Confirming this, the woman says this makes them her techniques as well. As Ichigo expresses confusion, the woman puts her hand up to her face and blows, sending an icy wind towards Ichigo, who shields himself. As the wind dies down, Ichigo sees the woman standing within a Senkaimon. As he tells her to wait, the doors close as the Senkaimon vanishes. Cursing, Ichigo runs over to Rukia. Acknowledging she is badly hurt, he asks who the woman was.

Looking at him with one eye closed, Rukia reveals the woman is Sode no Shirayuki, her Zanpakutō. As Ichigo expresses shock, Rukia falls unconscious as Ichigo yells her name. Later, at the Urahara Shop, Kurōdo gives Ichigo some tea. As he hops off of the table, Kon states he hopes Rukia is okay. When Kurōdo says there is no need to worry because Orihime Inoue is tending to her, Noba states this is encouraging.

When Yasutora Sado asks what happened, Uryū Ishida says Rukia revealed the woman who confronted her was Sode no Shirayuki. Confirming this, Ichigo states a Zanpakutō taking on a physical form and attacking its master sounds unbelievable. Saying this is interesting, Kisuke Urahara reveals he sent Yoruichi Shihōin to Soul Society to investigate and states they should talk to Rukia before they decide what to do.

Hearing the door open, Urahara looks to the side to see Ririn, who reveals Rukia has regained consciousness. In Rukia's room, a sobbing Kon lies on top of Rukia and proclaims he has been worried about her. When she tells him to not worry and says she will be alright, Kon begins to tell her how he felt before being kicked in the face and sent flying away by Ririn, who asks if he did not hear Rukia say she is alright and proclaims Kon should have more faith in Orihime.

When Urahara asks Rukia if she can give them more details about what happened, Orihime helps her sit up. Stating she felt like she was in a nightmare, Rukia recalls the events in Soul Society. In the past, Muramasa wipes the blood from his face and reveals his name is Muramasa. Saying this night marks the end of the reign of the Shinigami over the Zanpakutō, he proclaims the Zanpakutō shall rule over the Shinigami from now on.

Manifesting a sword in his outstretched hand, Muramasa spins it to point downward and stabs it into the ground. As lines of blue Reiatsu radiate outward from the blade, the ground is sliced into squares, which begin to rise. As the dust clears, the Zanpakutō spirits stand on the newly-created columns of earth. As the Shinigami present look on, 13th Division Captain Jūshirō Ukitake expresses disbelief at Muramasa's statement of the Zanpakutō ruling over the Shinigami.

Confirming it, Muramasa reveals the Zanpakutō of every Shinigami present have been freed from their control. When 6th Division Lieutenant Renji Abarai tries and fails to release his Zanpakutō, Zabimaru, the Zanpakutō spirits laugh derisively. Stating this Zanpakutō news is important, 8th Division Captain Shunsui Kyōraku walks forward and asks Muramasa where Captain-Commander Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto is, for he is the one who called for this meeting.

When Shunsui asks Muramasa if he knows where Yamamoto is, Muramasa reveals Yamamoto has been sealed away, shocking the Shinigami present. Revealing Ryūjin Jakka refused to cooperate with the other Zanpakutō spirits when they approached it, Muramasa proclaims they called upon Katen Kyōkotsu, Sōgyo no Kotowari, and Minazuki, who combined their Reiryoku to seal Yamamoto away. As Ukitake expresses anger at this, 4th Division Lieutenant Isane Kotetsu turns to her captain, Retsu Unohana, and expresses concern.

As 2nd Division Captain Suì-Fēng expresses disbelief at the Zanpakutō spirits being able to seal away Yamamoto and wonders if it is even possible, 12th Division Captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi proclaims this is very interesting. When Shunsui asks Muramasa if he expects them to believe this, Muramasa says it is the truth regardless of whether or not they believe it. Running up, 11th Division 3rd Seat Ikkaku Madarame leaps into the air and attack Muramasa, only to be blocked by the green-haired man.

As Renji calls out to him, Ikkaku states they have heard enough from Muramasa and proclaims the time for listening to what he has to say is over. Putting his hand on his Zanpakutō, Ukitake calls out to Shunsui, who says it is time. As Suì-Fēng and her lieutenant, Marechiyo Ōmaeda, run forward with their blades drawn, 10th Division Captain Tōshirō Hitsugaya, his lieutenant, Rangiku Matsumoto, and 3rd Division Lieutenant Izuru Kira move away with Shunpo.

Leaping forward, Renji attacks Tenken, who nonchalantly blocks Renji's strike before pushing him to the side. As Rukia and 5th Division Lieutenant Momo Hinamori appear on either side of him, Tenken spins his flaming bolas, knocking them away. Clashing in midair, Hitsugaya and a samurai-like man separate as Rangiku watches. As she runs to Hitsugaya, the small, hornet-like girl moves in front of Rangiku and smiles. Meanwhile, Unohana tells Isane to tend to the injured 1st Division Lieutenant Chōjirō Sasakibe.

Lifting his injured captain, Sajin Komamura, 7th Division Lieutenant Tetsuzaemon Iba expresses surprise when 9th Division Lieutenant Shūhei Hisagi grabs Komamura's other arm and proclaims he will help Iba. Laughing manically, the [[Wikipedia:Kusarigama|kusarigama-wielding man]] falls towards them before being attacked and pushed away by Suì-Fēng. As the man laughs, Ukitake tells Shunsui to retreat as the latter appears along with his lieutenant, Nanao Ise, and states this sounds like a good idea. As a baby's scream is heard, Konjiki Ashisogi Jizō appears above the Zanpakutō spirits.

Saying this is an amazing sight, Mayuri notes it is about to release poison, prompting Shunsui to tell everyone to run away. As Muramasa states it is no use, Hihiō Zabimaru appears from behind him and uses Hikōtsu Taihō. As a bright blue column of energy extends into the sky from Sōkyoku Hill, several Shinigami watch from around the Seireitei. As one of them wonders what is going on, an explosion engulfs him along with the nearby Shinigami.

As a nearby building burns, the orange-haired man lands on top of it and wonders where the captains are, for he wishes to fight them. As another Shinigami is engulfed by an explosion, the brown-haired girl soars through the air and throws more fireballs at nearby buildings. Saying there is nowhere for the Shinigami to run, she lands and throws another fireball at a group of Shinigami. Elsewhere, a fat man swings a spiked ball attached to a chain over his head before knocking several Shinigami away with it.

Meanwhile, as Rukia and Renji run through the Seireitei, Renji curses and states the Zanpakutō spirits are destroying everything. When Rukia asks Renji if he believes everyone was able to escape, he confirms this and says there is no need to worry about the captains. As a portion of the building next to them explodes, a brown-haired man emerges from the smoke and stands in front of them as the kusarigama-wielding man appears behind them and laughs. As Rukia and Renji draw their blades, Renji asks Rukia how her Zanpakutō is.

Saying she cannot use her Shikai, Rukia states they are coming. As the two men leap towards them, the kusarigama-wielding man leans in towards Rukia and chuckles before moving away as the brown-haired man generates electricity along his pike and surrounds Rukia and Renji with lightning. As they leap into the air, the brown-haired man appears behind Rukia and stabs at her. Meanwhile, Renji clashes several times with the kusarigama-wielding man, who spins towards him before striking at him. Blocking the attack, Renji expresses concern for Rukia.

As Rukia lands on a roof, the brown-haired man leaps into the air and prepares to attack her. Extending his arm and pointing at the man, 6th Division Captain Byakuya Kuchiki uses '''Bakudō #61. Rikujōkōrō''', immobilizing the man in midair with six yellow spiritual bands. Seeing this, Rukia looks towards Byakuya, who stands on top of a nearby tower, and calls out to him. Calling out to Rukia, Renji asks her if she is alright before calling out to Byakuya.

Looking at them, Byakuya tells them to stay alert as Muramasa states he is right. As Rukia and Renji turn in surprise, Muramasa says the captains are very impressive. Standing beside the samurai-like man on top of a nearby building, Muramasa states they possess the strength to control powerful Zanpakutō as the samurai-like man steps forward and draws his sword, which glows pink before assuming its normal appearance. As Byakuya and the man look at each other, Rukia tells Renji to be careful.

When the man reveals his name is Senbonzakura, Byakuya tells Rukia and Renji to leave. When Rukia begins to protest, Byakuya puts his hand on his blade and says he will not repeat himself. Moving away with Shunpo, he appears in front of Senbonzakura and slashes at him. Blocking, Senbonzakura jumps away as Byakuya leaps after him. As they clash several times in midair, Byakuya knocks Senbonzakura away with a powerful strike. As Senbonzakura lands on a nearby roof, Byakuya moves to him.

As they cross blades, Senbonzakura states Byakuya is an experienced fighter and proclaims he should know it is hopeless to challenge his thousands of blades with one sword. As Senbonzakura's sword separates into blade petals, Byakuya expresses surprise before moving away with Shunpo. As he lands on another roof and leaps away, Senbonzakura sends the blade petals after him and proclaims he cannot escape. As Byakuya lands on another roof and jumps away, the stream of blade petals rebounds off of the roof and surges after him.

Leaping into the air, Senbonzakura proclaims it is useless and sends the blade petals after Byakuya, who is engulfed by the petals. As Rukia calls out to him, the blade petals crash into a nearby building, destroying it. When Rukia attempts to move to the destroyed building, Renji grabs her arm and tells her to stop. When she tells him to let go, Renji says Byakuya can handle this himself and tells Rukia to look at who has arrived. Looking up, Rukia sees Sode no Shirayuki standing at the other end of the roof.

As Rukia recognizes her, Sode no Shirayuki uses Tsugi no mai, Hakuren, enveloping the building in a wave of ice. In the present, Rukia reveals she and Renji were separated after this and she escaped to the Human World through a Senkaimon while fighting off Sode no Shirayuki. Stating the Zanpakutō are resisting the will of their Shinigami and turning on them, Urahara says he has never heard of something like this occurring before and states something is odd because a Zanpakutō true form exists within their Shinigami's inner world.

When Uryū asks what a Zanpakutō's true form is, Urahara explains how each Zanpakutō has a consciousness controlling its power, and this consciousness is its true form. When he reveals a Shinigami can raw power from their Zanpakutō by conversing with its true form, Sado asks if Zangetsu has a true form as well, which Ichigo confirms. As Urahara says Benihime possesses one as well, Ichigo asks if everyone in the Seireitei is alright.

As Rukia shakes her head, Yoruichi proclaims they are all fine. Leaning against the door, she states the Gotei 13 have not been destroyed as Urahara greets her and expresses surprise at her returning so soon. As Noba and Kurōdo set up a pillow, Rukia asks Yoruichi how Soul Society is doing and how Byakuya is. Telling her to calm down, Yoruichi sits on the pillow and says she will tell Rukia about everything she saw in Soul Society.

Stating the Seireitei was in a terrible state, Yoruichi says she could see the damage which had been done and how the battle had ended because it was daytime. Stating many buildings were demolished and many Shinigami were injured, Yoruichi says she wanted to find someone who could tell her what happened, so she traveled to the 4th Division's Sōgō Kyūgo Tsumesho. In the past, Yoruichi looks over the heavily damaged Seireitei from the top of a damaged tower before moving away with Shunpo.

In the present, Yoruichi reveals she found Unohana, Ukitake, and other Shinigami who had been staying at the 4th Division's barracks. In the past, Yoruichi walks past several injured Shinigami lying on beds, among them Chōjirō. Later, she meets with Shunsui, Unohana, and Ukitake. When she asks if the renegade Zanpakutō spirits caused all of this damage in a few hours and disappeared, Ukitake states they did so without a trace as Shunsui says many Shinigami were injured in the Seireitei and the Zanpakutō spirits burned down many of their buildings, starting with the 1st Division's barracks.

Looking up, Unohana states the only good news they have is of the Zanpakutō spirits leaving the Sōgō Kyūgo Tsumesho untouched. Saying the barracks of the 2nd and 12th Divisions are also intact, Ukitake reveals Suì-Fēng and the rest of the Onmitsukidō have already left to track down the Zanpakutō spirits. As Shunsui states Mayuri is currently investigating to figure out what is behind all of this, Ukitake says they will use the 4th Division's barracks as a command center for now.

As Ukitake says he will begin assigning all able-bodied Shinigami to security posts, Unohana agrees with this course of action and states they know they need to work together with Yamamoto missing. As Ukitake agrees, Shunsui says he will help as well. Hopping down from the porch, Yoruichi begins to walk away and states she is going to return to the Human World. Looking back, she says they must found out why the Zanpakutō spirits are rebelling and states she will talk with Urahara about this.

Saying this is a good idea, Unohana states they need all of the help they can get. Smiling, Yoruichi says she will get to it. In the present, Kurōdo states this news cheered him up and it appears the captains are okay. As Ririn says the Gotei 13 are under attack and are in terrible shape, Kurōdo states this is depressing, and Noba says there are many problems, which Kurōdo states is more depressing. When Urahara asks Ichigo if he has noticed any changes with his Zanpakutō, Ichigo says it has not changed at all.

Expressing surprise, Urahara states they have numerous reports of Shinigami in Soul Society having trouble controlling their Zanpakutō, but he has not had any problems with Benihime. Looking at him, Uryū says the enemy's ability to exert control over Zanpakutō appear to only work in Soul Society and has no effect in the Human World. Wondering if the enemy's power is unable to reach the Human World or if there is another reason, Urahara states they will not know until they look deeper into all of this.

When Yoruichi says she will return to Soul Society tomorrow morning, Urahara tells her to do so. When Rukia asks about Byakuya, Yoruichi reveals the Gotei 13 has determined the whereabouts of the captains, lieutenants, and seated officers, but the only one still missing is Byakuya. Recalling Byakuya being engulfed by the blade petals, Rukia states she knew it. Telling her to not worry, Ichigo says Byakuya must be okay and asks if she really believes they could take down someone as strong as him.

Smiling, Rukia states they could never do so. Later, at the Kurosaki Clinic, Ichigo lies on his bed. As a dark portal with red edges appears on his ceiling, Ririn, Kurōdo, and Noba emerge from it as Kurōdo greets Ichigo. As they land on his bed, Ririn says there is bad news as Ichigo asks why they are here this late at night. As Kurōdo states it is an emergency, Noba says there is a big problem as Ririn reveals Rukia has disappeared, shocking Ichigo.

At the Urahara Shop, a crying Kon lies on Rukia's pillow as Urahara tells Ichigo it appears a Senkaimon has been opened, so Rukia must have returned to Soul Society. Wondering what Rukia thinks she is doing, Ichigo states Rukia knows she is too weak to return. When Kurōdo theorizes she was too worried about Byakuya to stay here, Noba notes she is tough. Telling Urahara to open a Senkaimon, Ichigo says he will find her. Telling him to think about this, Urahara states it is too dangerous to go there with the current situation, and they need to have more information.

Telling they cannot wait around, Ichigo says they may not have very much time. As Urahara states he would think twice, Yoruichi says he should let Ichigo leave. Stating she will be returning to Soul Society in a few hours anyway, Yoruichi says she will get much more done if she has someone with her. Agreeing with this, Ichigo turns to Urahara and asks him once more. Conceding, Urahara states he cannot stop him, so Ichigo can go. In the underground training area, Urahara says he will do whatever he can to help them from here. When Urahara asks him to not rush into dangerous situations, Ichigo states he understands. Saying they will go, Yoruichi walks away as Ichigo tells Rukia to stay calm and not do anything reckless.

Arrancar Encyclopedia
Gin Ichimaru explains the names of Mamut, Tigre Estoque, Cierva, Leona, and Anaconda and how to write them in kanji. Walking onscreen, Ichigo Kurosaki questions the purpose of the segment, prompting Gin to talk about how serious studio executives are about it and how difficult it is to run the segment before asking Ichigo if he can host it himself.

Fights

 * Ichigo Kurosaki vs. Sode no Shirayuki (concluded)
 * The Rebellion Begins: Rise of Muramasa (concluded)
 * Byakuya Kuchiki vs. Senbonzakura

Powers and Techniques Used
Kidō used:
 * '''Bakudō #61.

Techniques used:

Zanpakutō released: Shikai:

Bankai: