One-on-one! Ichigo vs. Senbonzakura

'''One-on-one! Ichigo vs. Senbonzakura''' is the two hundred forty-third episode of the Bleach anime.

As the Shinigami battle the Zanpakutō spirits, when Kira defeats Kazeshini, only to be attacked by Wabisuke. Kenpachi Zaraki arrives on the scene.

Summary
As the Shinigami continue to battle the Zanpakutō spirits in the Sixth Division barracks, lieutenants Tetsuzaemon Iba and Isane Kotetsu decide to go help the others, but are confronted by Ashisogi Jizō, the Zanpakutō of Captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi. Isane states that she recognizes it because it has a 'unique look'. Iba says that they should capture it but Isane holds him back. As Ashisogi Jizō tries to release its poison against them, Isane uses Kidō to knock it into a building, allowing Iba to slash it. Iba and Isane decide to tell Mayuri, but are stopped from leaving by Haineko and Tobiume.

In the Sixth Division grounds, Captain Suì-Fēng continues to battle Tenken and Gonryōmaru. As it begins to rain, the latter says that he manipulates lightning so he can use his powers to his fullest potential now. Suì-Fēng laughs at this, asking whether the rain would put out Tenken's fire, though Gonyrōmaru states that this measly rain would not be enough to quench his 'hellish inferno'. Suì-Fēng then points out that she's not convinced of that and asks how they are able to communicate, but Gonryōmaru simply replies that Tenken is shy.

After being taunted more, Gonryōmaru becomes angry and tries to hit Suì-Fēng with lightning, which she quickly escapes from, successfully dodging the next two of his attacks as well. While distracted by Gonryōmaru, however, Tenken is able to hit Suì-Fēng, causing her to fall to the ground. Running towards Tenken, Suì-Fēng kicks him in the face, seemingly to no effect. She then tries to slash him with her katana, but Tenken blocks her attack easily. Tenken then lifts his sword to attack her, which she blocks, but is forced backwards into a building. Gonryōmaru then attacks her with lightning again. The combination of her two opponents forces Suì-Fēng to use her Shunkō, dispelling the clouds.

With her technique, Suì-Fēng overwhelms Gonryōmaru and holds back Tenken's sword attack with great effort. However, is struck from behind by her own Zanpakutō spirit, Suzumebachi. Quickly escaping, Suzumebachi complains that she was unable to strike her twice and wonders if it's the first time Suì-Fēng was hit by her own technique. She then asks what Suì-Fēng thinks of her new outfit, saying that she hated her old wardrobe and going on to say that Suì-Fēng sounds stupid when she runs around after Yoruichi. While Suzumebachi suggests she go and get some new clothes and a boyfriend, Suì-Fēng is surprised at the small spirit being her Zanpakutō.

Elsewhere, Yumichika Ayasegawa battles Ruri'iro Kujaku. An angry Yumichika rushes at Kujaku, who blocks all of his attacks. Yumichika tells Kujaku that he will never forgive him, but Kujaku retorts that he doesn't care and it's time Yumichika surrendered, telling him that Ikkaku's reiatsu has disappeared. Though momentarily worried, Yumichika tells him that Ikkaku didn't lose, as Hōzukimaru's reiatsu has also disappeared. Kujaku suggests that he's trying to match his opponent's fighting style, unlike Yumichika, who always hid his power. He then proceeds to activate his Shikai and quickly entangles Yumichika with a series of vines. Ruri'iro Kujaku asks him how it feels to be attacked by the power he loathes. Yumichika replies that he doesn't want anyone to find out about it, as he will be kicked out of the 11th Division. Kujaku calls him stubborn and then pulls him towards him, causing Yumichika to drop his katana as he continues to state he will remain in the 11th Division.

Meanwhile, Isane and Iba engage in battle with Tobiume and Haineko. Tobiume shoots a ball of fire towards them, which they dodge. Haineko then uses her Shikai, which Isane blocks with a Kidō. Haineko and Tobiume then begin to argue, Haineko tells Tobiume that she should be focusing on killing Isane and Tobiume complaining that she is always the backup, to which Haineko tells her that they lost last time because she couldn't keep focus. While they are distracted, Isane and Iba attempt to escape, but are stopped by Tobiume. They then spot Ashisogi Jizō and so Isane blasts a Kidō towards it. Ashisogi Jizō emerges from the rubble, dodging Isane's Kidō and slashes her. Iba runs to help Isane, but is blocked by Haineko. As Isane tries to get up, she finds herself unable to, with Tobiume explaining that Ashisogi Jizō can paralyze its victims.

In the Fourth Division compound, the injured Tōshirō Hitsugaya awakens and is told about the current situation by Hyōrinmaru. Hyōrinmaru tells him not to push himself because he put his body through a lot in order to get him back. He then proceeds to tell him that Muramasa has begun an all-out attack and that the Shinigami are fighting at the moment. Tōshirō tries to get out of bed but is stopped by Hyōrinmaru, telling him to believe in them and that they are strong and will not be defeated easily.

Meanwhile, as Iba and Haineko battle one another, Isane strikes at Tobiume, behind her, but Tobiume dodges her attack. As Tobiume prepares to attack her, Lieutenant Hinamori blocks, causing Tobiume to retreat to a rooftop as Isane expresses her surprise. Haineko looks around to see what's going on just as Rangiku arrives, holding her katana near Haineko's throat. Haineko joins Tobiume on the roof of a building, Rangiku tells them that they won't get away this time. Ashisogi Jizō then comes up behind them, ready to breathe its poison. Iba and Rangiku run away from it, but the poison starts to catch up to them.

Elsewhere, Ichigo battles against Senbonzakura, managing to block its attacks with his Bankai. Byakuya stands over Renji, who is lying injured on the floor next to Zabimaru. Rukia runs and kneels down next to him, pleading with Byakuya to stop doing this, who simply stares on in response. While blocking Senbonzakura's attacks, Ichigo notes that Ikkaku's Reiatsu has vanished at that Yumichika is in danger as well. He angrily fires Getsuga Tenshō at Senbonzakura, who dodges the technique as both return to the ground and stand across from one another. Materializing his sword, Senbonzakura prepares to battle Ichigo again.

Izuru Kira meanwhile, successfully blocks Kazeshini's attacks. He tries to bind it with a Kidō, but Kazeshini effortlessly breaks it and taunts Kira, complimenting his abilities while also telling him that the Zanpakutō are clearly winning their battles. Kira asks him if he really wants to carry on attacking him, saying that his Zanpakutō's power will defeat him, causing Kazeshini to ask him whether he has got his Shikai form back, which Kira tells him he won't answer. Kazeshini remembers that Kira has been dodging all of attacks but hasn't taken the offensive, which means that he probably hasn't got his Shikai form back. Kazeshini figures out that it's a bluff and then makes as if to attack again, Kira dodges the attack with Shunpo. Kira raises his katana as if to release it and so Kazeshini rushes towards him as if to stop him. Kira then creates an explosion, which Kazeshini gets caught up in.

He then uses a Kidō and fires it at Kazeshini, who doesn't have enough time to dodge it and gets caught up in a cyclone of wind. As the wind dissipates, Kira slashes Kazeshini with his katana, causing him to fall onto the roof of a building underneath them. Kira the joins him on the roof, saying that he hadn't got his Shikai form back and that the moment he stopped to think about it, he lost. Binding him with a Kidō, Kira is about to turn around to help everyone else until he senses Wabisuke behind him. Wabisuke has been slashing his katana without him realizing it. Weighing Kira down with his attacks, Wabisuke slashes at Kira himself, causing him to fall through the roof. As he struggles to sit up, Wabisuke puts his foot down on him, forcing him back to the ground.

During battle, Ichigo notices that Kira is in trouble. Senbonzakura asks him where he is looking as Ichigo, desperate to go and help the others, tells him to get out of the way and begins trying to attack him. Suddenly, a yellow beam of light shoots up from a building and into the sky. Captain Kenpachi Zaraki appears through the light, laughing maniacally.

Shinigami Illustrated Picture Book
Ukitake and Kyōraku are playing a board game together and Ukitake wins. They decide to play another game but Ukitake suddenly starts coughing endlessly, due to his illness. Kyōraku goes outside to find someone to help but no one's there. Ukitake then collapses, causing Kyōraku to cry out if anyone can help.

Fights

 * Ichigo Kurosaki vs. Senbonzakura
 * Suì-Fēng vs. Tenken & Gonryōmaru (concluded)
 * Yumichika Ayasegawa vs. Ruri'iro Kujaku
 * Isane Kotetsu & Tetsuzaemon Iba vs. Ashisogi Jizō
 * Izuru Kira vs. Kazeshini (concluded)

Powers and Techniques Used
Kidō used
 * Hadō #31,
 * Hadō #1
 * Bakudō #39
 * Hadō #58,
 * Bakudō #63

Techniques used

Zanpakutō released

Shikai:

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