Release! The Black Blade, the Miraculous Power

 is the fifty-eighth episode of the Bleach anime.

Ichigo Kurosaki and 6th Division Captain Byakuya Kuchiki activate their Bankai.

Summary
With Ichigo Kurosaki having relayed the name and explanation of his Zanpakutō's special technique, Getsuga Tenshō, 6th Division Captain Byakuya Kuchiki comments on how pretentious it sounds and decides to give into Ichigo's demands that he use his Bankai before holding up and dropping his Zanpakutō. As Ichigo expresses surprise at him letting go of his sword, Byakuya stoically promises to turn Ichigo to dust before he has time to regret his decision while his Zanpakutō sinks into the ground as though it were water, creating ripples in the dirt.

The surrounding area darkens as two rows of giant swords rise up out of the ground behind Byakuya, who activates his Bankai, Senbonzakura Kageyoshi, causing the swords to separate into innumerable blade petals that swirl toward a stunned Ichigo. Regaining his senses, Ichigo picks up his Shikai, Zangetsu, and rushes toward Byakuya while Senbonzakura Kageyoshi tears through the ground where he was standing. When a mass of blade petals forms in front of Byakuya and attacks him, Ichigo leaps into the air.

Ichigo fires a Getsuga Tenshō directly at Byakuya while in midair, only for the latter to assert this is not good enough while massing Senbonzakura Kageyoshi in front of him to block the energy blast, which dissipates, before sending them hurtling toward Ichigo. Though Ichigo slashes through the stream of blade petals, the two streams reconverge behind him and approach Ichigo, forcing him to block the stream with Zangetsu. While Byakuya looks on from below, a struggling Ichigo splits the stream once more with another Getsuga Tenshō, but finds Senbonzakura Kageyoshi massing behind him, prompting him to cut through it with a third Getsuga Tenshō.

Despite this, Ichigo sees multiple streams of blade petals converging above him and realizes he will not be able to counter this as Senbonzakura Kageyoshi engulfs and slams him into the ground before Byakuya, kicking up a huge cloud of dust. While he watches the dust settle, Byakuya reveals the essence of Senbonzakura Kageyoshi lies in its ability to create a relentless barrage from every direction by attacking simultaneously with billions of blades and acknowledges Ichigo's Zanpakutō is indeed powerful. With the dust clearing to reveal a wounded Ichigo panting on his hands and knees in a crater, Byakuya concludes that slow attacks cannot counter his Bankai.

Cursing his inability to do better, Ichigo acknowledges that it was foolish of him to think he could defeat a Bankai with only his Shikai, and when an alerted Byakuya instructs him to be careful with his words because he seems to be implying that he has already achieved Bankai, Ichigo proclaims that this is exactly what he is saying as he gets to his feet. Elsewhere in the Seireitei, 10th Division Captain Tōshirō Hitsugaya and his lieutenant, Rangiku Matsumoto, run through one of the streets. In the past, Hitsugaya stands over a hospitalized 5th Division Lieutenant Momo Hinamori in his division's barracks and recalls their conflict the previous night.

After a somber Hitsugaya walks out of the room into the hallway, Rangiku inquires how Hinamori is doing, leading Hitsugaya to note that she is sleeping before using Kyōmon to erect a transparent barrier in the doorway. Upon being asked by a surprised Rangiku why he has done this, Hitsugaya admits that he cannot predict the moves of other parties and that this barrier is meant to protect Hinamori from any enemies, concerning Rangiku as he asserts that they should depart. In the present, while continuing to run through the street, Rangiku notices a dust cloud created by an explosion of force on Sōkyoku Hill and wonders if it could be the Ryoka.

Hitsugaya points out that it could not be anyone else due to how intense the Reiatsu is at the source of the clash and observes that they have to try to control the situation by making a direct appeal to the Central 46 now that the situation has become so complicated. With Rangiku questioning if he intends to inform them of the incident with 5th Division Captain Sōsuke Aizen, Hitsugaya affirms this and notes that he needs to reveal what really happened as well before using Shunpo alongside Rangiku to move more rapidly ahead. Back on Sōkyoku Hill, Byakuya is astonished by Ichigo's claim, prompting Ichigo to state that he will not repeat himself.

As he theorizes that Byakuya may not believe what he has been told, Ichigo declares that Byakuya will have to believe his own eyes and holds out Zangetsu behind him while slamming his feet into the ground to strengthen his stance. Yelling loudly, Ichigo exerts his Reiatsu, which begins surging around him and into the sky. In a different part of the Seireitei below, Orihime Inoue, Yasutora Sado, Uryū Ishida, Ganju Shiba, and Makizō Aramaki come to a halt in one of the streets as they see the pillar of Reiatsu, where Orihime wonders if this is Ichigo. While Uryū claims that no one else fights this crazily, Ganju expresses relief at not picking a fight with Ichigo.

Upon hearing this, Orihime recalls a common saying about a cat not eating a childish fight, but Uryū clarifies that it is about a cat not eating a child's fight. However, Sado corrects them both on the saying actually being about a dog not eating a married couple's fight, and while Orihime cheerfully apologizes for the misunderstanding, Uryū is apoplectic over being drawn into one of Orihime's bizarre tangents and getting corrected by Sado. Interjecting, Aramaki points out that it is not the time for comedic breaks, prompting Uryū to regain his senses and run off with the others, though Ganju remains standing in place and questions if Uryū is smart or stupid.

With Ganju stating Uryū should be one or the other consistently so he knows what to expect, Orihime calls out and reminds him he is going to be left behind, which leads a startled Ganju to hurry after them. Back on Sōkyoku Hill, as Ichigo's Reiatsu continues to intensify, Byakuya mentally asserts that him achieving Bankai is impossible because only the most experienced Shinigami can perform Bankai, with even the four Noble Houses whose members are born with Reiatsu surpassing all others only having one member in several generations ever attain that level of power, to the point that the names of those who have done so are etched into the history of Soul Society.

Looking at Ichigo, Byakuya wonders how he could dream of achieving Bankai when he became a Shinigami on borrowed powers and has no noble lineage in addition to not being a proper Shinigami. Despite this, Byakuya is left uncertain by Ichigo's confident talk of achieving Bankai and intense Reiatsu. After recalling his previous defeat at the hands of Byakuya in the Human World and Rukia Kuchiki's tearful departure, Ichigo stops exerting his Reiatsu and swings Zangetsu around to point forward, causing part of his damaged shihakushō to burst off while the cloth attached to Zangetsu coils around his arm, before activating his Bankai.

Ichigo's eyes glow with Reiatsu as Zangetsu surges with energy that bursts forward toward Byakuya, extending off the side of Sōkyoku Hill. While running through the streets below, Hitsugaya and Rangiku are shocked upon sensing the release of power behind them, and Ichigo's friends watch in astonishment from below Sōkyoku Hill as the energy kicks up a massive dust cloud, which begins swirling around in a tornado that affects and disperses the clouds far above. With the dust beginning to settle, Byakuya, who had been shielding himself with Senbonzakura Kageyoshi, scatters his blade petals and stares in shock as a black cloak becomes visible within the dust.

As a burst of power from his new blade separates the dust cloud into several concentric, separated rings that quickly vanish, Ichigo stands with his Bankai, Tensa Zangetsu, consisting of a ragged black coat with a red lining and a pure black daitō. However, Byakuya refuses to believe that what he perceives to be an ordinary Zanpakutō could be a Bankai and assumes that this is simply Ichigo gleefully treading on something else the Shinigami hold sacred as he did with the execution ceremony. Proclaiming that he will show Ichigo what happens when he insults their honor, Byakuya masses Senbonzakura Kageyoshi around himself and prepares to attack.

Suddenly, Byakuya is stunned to find Ichigo holding the tip of Tensa Zangetsu to his throat, leaving Senbonzakura Kageyoshi to disperse around him. After observing that Byakuya's pride seems to demand that he kill Rukia, Ichigo lowers his sword and leaps back while declaring that stepping on this pride is the reason why he achieved Bankai as he levels Tensa Zangetsu at Byakuya. Meanwhile, in another part of the Seireitei, a concerned Hinamori leaps onto a rooftop and runs along it. In the past, Hinamori wakes up in the Tenth Division barracks and gets dressed before noticing Aizen's letter on a bedside tray, which she picks up while crying.

After falling to her knees and wondering what she should do, Hinamori calms down, stores the letter in her shihakushō, and gets up as she mentally resolves to find out. In the present, Hitsugaya and Rangiku arrive at the front gate to the Central 46 Compound, where they are confused to find it unguarded and further surprised to discover the double doors have not been locked when Hitsugaya opens them with a push of his hand. Walking over the bridge connecting to the main entrance, Rangiku reaches the door alongside Hitsugaya and notes no one is guarding this area either, though Hitsugaya deduces the doors are locked from inside.

While Rangiku steps back, Hitsugaya announces himself and requests permission to enter the compound for a matter of utmost importance, causing over a dozen swords to bar the doors horizontally and vertically in response. When Rangiku takes this as proof the emergency defense lock is working, Hitsugaya agrees and ruminates on how this makes matters even stranger. At the backside of Sōkyoku Hill, the Ryoka reach the long, staggered set of stairs leading up to the execution ground, prompting Orihime to marvel at how high it is while Ganju bemoans having to climb all the way up. As Uryū and Sado note Rukia and Ichigo are at the top, the Ryoka prepare to move.

However, Aramaki frantically tells them to wait and inquires if the Reiatsu from earlier does not both them before raising the question of what will happen to them should they walk into the middle of a fight between combatants of such power. Pausing in silence for a moment, Orihime merely thanks Aramaki for worrying about them and asserts that they have to go, which Uryū affirms is due to them being Ichigo's friends as Ganju and Sado nod in agreement. With Aramaki speechless at this, Sado thanks Aramaki for coming with them this far and assures him that he does not have to go any further, and while Aramaki expresses surprise, Orihime decides that they should say farewell here.

Orihime fails to remember Aramaki's name and addresses him with a nickname that Uryū and Ganju use as well in the process of bidding him farewell. As the Ryoka begin running up the stairs, Aramaki is left astonished by their behavior and angrily declares his name and tenure in the Eleventh Division before concluding he and his comrades do not run away while running after the Ryoka and asking them to remember his name. Back on Sōkyoku Hill, Byakuya faces Ichigo and recalls the latter briefly disappearing from his sight during his attempted attack with Senbonzakura Kageyoshi. Remembering his inability to react in time, Byakuya refuses to believe this is possible.

As he questions if Ichigo withdrew his blade out of overconfidence, Byakuya asserts that arrogance destroys the footholds of victory before claiming that Tensa Zangetsu cannot possibly be a Bankai due to its miserable size and Ichigo himself being a Ryoka. After asserting that Ichigo will regret not slitting his throat when he had the chance, Byakuya proclaims that miracles only happen once and sends Senbonzakura Kageyoshi hurtling toward Ichigo, who leaps over the swarm of blade petals at the last second, leaving it to crash into the ground where he was standing, and proceeds to evade several more tendrils in midair while approaching Byakuya.

Appearing directly in front of Byakuya, Ichigo slashes at him, only for a surprised Byakuya to intercept his strike by massing Senbonzakura Kageyoshi between them. Pushed into the air by Senbonzakura Kageyoshi as he blocks the blade petals with his sword, Ichigo rapidly moves behind Byakuya and falls onto his hand to duck below another stream sent at him, allowing him to handspring over Byakuya while the latter continues facing the area where he was located prior. Astonished by Ichigo's speed while the latter continues to evade Senbonzakura Kageyoshi, Byakuya wonders if his Bankai cannot catch Ichigo as he begins generating several afterimages of himself.

Though Ichigo tauntingly asks Byakuya if he cannot keep up and claims that he can still go a little faster, Byakuya demands that he not get cocky and gestures with his hand, causing Senbonzakura Kageyoshi to begin pursuing Ichigo across the rocky landscape. When Ichigo leaps into the air after dodging several strikes, three tendrils of Senbonzakura Kageyoshi converge on his location, prompting Ichigo to escape to the ground below just before they smash together, where he realizes that Senbonzakura Kageyoshi has gotten faster as he jumps to avoid another strike. Internally, Byakuya details how Senbonzakura Kageyoshi is twice as fast if he controls it with his hands.

With Senbonzakura Kageyoshi separating into several tendrils that approach him in midair, Ichigo evades several while they surround him in the sky above, and as he mentally declares that there is nothing he cannot catch, Byakuya has the entirety of Senbonzakura Kageyoshi converge on Ichigo, only for the latter to disperse Senbonzakura Kageyoshi by repelling every single blade petal with hundreds of rapid slashes. While Byakuya stares in astonishment at this, Ichigo moves behind him and inquires what Byakuya calls this if a miracle only happens once before stabbing at him with his sword, which draws a considerable amount of blood.

Having caught Ichigo's sword near the hilt with his right hand before it could pierce his body, Byakuya concludes that Tensa Zangetsu concentrates all its power into this small blade so Ichigo can fight with maximum force at hyper-speed. Acknowledging this as the secret ability of Ichigo's Bankai as he stands up and jostles Ichigo, Byakuya proclaims that he will simply crush that power and Ichigo along with it before exerting his Reiatsu on the surrounding area.

Jinta-sama's Ultimate Diary
When Yuzu Kurosaki opens the door to the Urahara Shop and greets him, Jinta Hanakari, who is playing with a soccer ball inside, expresses shock at seeing her again, prompting Yuzu to cheerfully note that the shop has low prices. Visibly blushing, Jinta assumes that Yuzu wants 500 yen's worth of snacks as usual and rapidly fills up her shopping bag to the point of overflowing before handing it back to Yuzu, who points out that it is a bit more than she asked for. Claiming that it is Yuzu's imagination, Jinta tells her to get out of here because he is training for a soccer match, prompting an awed Yuzu to give him Kon's plushie body as a lucky charm as Jinta asserts that a man does not need a stuffed animal.

Fights

 * Ichigo Kurosaki vs. Byakuya Kuchiki: Rematch

Powers and Techniques Used
Zanpakutō Techniques:

Hohō Techniques:
 * (flashback)

Kidō Techniques:

Zanpakutō released:

Shikai:

Bankai:
 * (flashback)
 * (flashback)
 * (flashback)
 * (flashback)

Anime Notes
Removed Content= Added/Expanded Content= Censorship= Changes=
 * Ichigo Kurosaki telling Byakuya Kuchiki to watch closely as he prepares to activate his Bankai.
 * Ichigo attempting to rush toward Byakuya after the latter activates his Bankai, only to leap into the air upon being attacked with another mass of blade petals.
 * Ichigo slashing through Senbonzakura Kageyoshi multiple times, twice with Getsuga Tenshō, prior to being slammed into the ground by the full brunt of it.
 * Tōshirō Hitsugaya and Rangiku Matsumoto running through the Seireitei to inform the Central 46 of the situation after Hitsugaya uses Kyōmon to protect Momo Hinamori.
 * Ichigo's Reiatsu extending into the sky in a column as he prepares to activate his Bankai.
 * The other Ryoka noticing Ichigo's intense Reiatsu and having a discussion on the correct phrasing of an idiom.
 * Flashbacks to Ichigo's defeat at the hands of Byakuya and Rukia Kuchiki leaving the Human World during their first encounter.
 * Ichigo's eyes and Zangetsu glowing prior to the massive amount of energy being released during his Bankai activation.
 * Hitsugaya, Rangiku, and the Ryoka being shocked by Ichigo's Bankai activation.
 * A massive tornado that reaches the clouds briefly forming on top of Sōkyoku Hill after Ichigo's Bankai activation.
 * The dust swirling around Ichigo being separated into concentric rings that dissipate by a burst of power from his sword.
 * Hinamori running through the Seireitei after waking up in the Tenth Division barracks and finding Sōsuke Aizen's letter.
 * Hitsugaya and Rangiku finding the Central 46 Compound unguarded but the emergency defense lock still active, to their confusion.
 * The Ryoka reaching the stairs leading up to Sōkyoku Hill, where they bid farewell to Makizō Aramaki after the latter expresses concern about getting involved in the battle ahead, only for Aramaki to follow them out of pride.
 * Ichigo evading multiple attacks from Senbonzakura Kageyoshi prior to noting that it has sped up after Byakuya begins using his hands to control it.
 * Ichigo dodging and being surrounded by several streams of blade petals prior to Byakuya attempting to attack him with the entirety of Senbonzakura Kageyoshi.
 * Ichigo disappearing from sight in the reflection of Byakuya's eye after deflecting all of Senbonzakura Kageyoshi.
 * Byakuya exerting his Reiatsu after promising to destroy both Ichigo and his power.
 * Ichigo is not bleeding as severely after being hit with the full brunt of Senbonzakura Kageyoshi.
 * In the manga, when Byakuya attacks him with Senbonzakura Kageyoshi for the first time, Ichigo leaps over a single large stream of blade petals while it crashes into the ground where he was standing; here, he runs past multiple smaller streams of blade petals while they surge over the area where he was standing.
 * In the manga, during his Bankai activation, Ichigo's Reiatsu is colored golden, marking its first official coloring; here, it is colored blue in line with the anime's coloration up until and following this point.
 * In the manga, when Ichigo activates his Bankai, the energy is released off the front of Sōkyoku Hill; here, it is released off the side instead.
 * In the manga, during Ichigo's Bankai activation, Byakuya does not do anything to protect himself from the accompanying energy surge; here, he shields himself with Senbonzakura Kageyoshi, which then disperses.
 * In the manga, after lowering his sword, Ichigo remains standing near Byakuya; here, he leaps several meters back.
 * In the manga, when Byakuya resumes his attack on Ichigo after declaring that the latter will not get a second miracle, Senbonzakura Kageyoshi cuts a small boulder in half as it surges through the area where Ichigo was standing; here, it does not.
 * In the manga, after performing his first strike against Byakuya, Ichigo immediately moves behind him; here, he is pushed into the air by Senbonzakura Kageyoshi first.