Byakuya, the Truth Behind his Betrayal

 is the two hundred and fifty-second episode of the Bleach anime.

As Senbonzakura reveals the truth about 6th Division Captain Byakuya Kuchiki's betrayal, Byakuya fights against Kōga Kuchiki. Meanwhile, Muramasa loses controls and unleashes hundreds of Gillians.

Summary
As Kōga pushes Captain Byakuya Kuchiki's blade up, they leap back from each other as Muramasa, Ichigo Kurosaki, and Rukia Kuchiki watch. As Ichigo expresses shock at Byakuya's sudden appearance, Rukia tells Byakuya to be careful.

Noting Byakuya is wearing a windflower-silk scarf and a kenseikan, Kōga states Byakuya is from the Kuchiki Clan, prompting Byakuya to tell Kōga his name and reveal he is the 28th Head of the Kuchiki Clan. Noting Byakuya is from the 28th generation of the Kuchiki Clan, Kōga states a great deal of time has passed since he was sealed away and says Ginrei Kuchiki must have died by now.

Reprimanding Kōga for referring to the passing of his ancestor so flippantly, Byakuya states Kōga personally ruined the reputation of the Kuchiki Clan and says Kōga will never have the right to utter the name of his grandfather because of this, prompting Kōga to curse. As Rukia states she does not understand, Ichigo demands to know what is going on and says he thought Byakuya was on the side of the Zanpakutō Spirits. Appearing in front of Ichigo and Rukia, Senbonzakura tells them to watch quietly and states this fight is Byakuya's alone.

When Senbonzakura says Byakuya is upholding the Kuchiki Clan's honor, Rukia states she is confused as Ichigo says this does not make any sense. When Ichigo states he believed Senbonzakura's mind was controlled by Muramasa, Senbonzakura denies this and admits there was a time when Muramasa tried to influence him. In the past, Byakuya is engulfed by blade petals and slammed into a building, which is destroyed. In an underground passage, Byakuya crashes through the ceiling and appears outside of the resulting cloud of dust with Shunpo before moving back as Senbonzakura appears.

Rushing toward each other, Byakuya and Senbonzakura clash. Moving to the side, Senbonzakura sends several streams of blade petals toward Byakuya, who fires '''Hadō #4. Byakurai''' to disperse them. As the bolt of lightning travels past his head, Senbonzakura expresses surprise as his eyes return to their normal size. As Senbonzakura lands on the ground, Byakuya appears in front of him and points his blade at Senbonzakura, who refers to him as master. Noting Senbonzakura has returned to his senses, Byakuya lowers his sword and asks Senbonzakura what happened.

Saying he does not know, Senbonzakura states he heard a voice coming from within his mind and reveals it told him to release his soul and follow his instincts. Saying he understands, Byakuya states it is as he feared. In the present, Senbonzakura says Byakuya was aware of Muramasa and Kōga before revealing Ginrei had told Byakuya about Kōga being sealed away. In the past, Byakuya kneels behind Ginrei, who states Byakuya needs to know this before saying it will be Byakuya's duty as Head of the Kuchiki clan to hunt down and kill Kōga if the seal is broken and he escapes.

Stating he passes this responsibility to Byakuya, Ginrei says the world must never be exposed to Kōga's warped and evil power again as Byakuya swears to do this on his honor as the Head of the Kuchiki Clan. In the present, Senbonzakura reveals Byakuya went to the archives to search for any clues as to where Kōga had been sealed away and states there was no record of Kōga's whereabouts. As Senbonzakura says Byakuya realized it was best to keep this to himself, Rukia realizes Kōga was connected to the Kuchiki Clan as Ichigo demands to know why all of this was hidden from them.

When Senbonzakura states it was all for the purpose of learning where Kōga had been sealed away, Ichigo and Rukia express surprise as Senbonzakura says destroying Muramasa alone would be meaningless and proclaims the one who had to be defeated was Kōga. Stating he acted like he was still brainwashed in order for them to continue their investigation, Senbonzakura says it was not easy to discover where Kōga had been sealed away and reveals this is why Byakuya stayed by Muramasa's side regardless of his friends thinking he had betrayed them.

When Ichigo expresses shock at Byakuya being willing to risk his own death, Senbonzakura states Byakuya had to stay true to his duty as Head of the Kuchiki Clan. As Rukia says Byakuya's name, Kōga asks Byakuya if he intends to seal him away as well. Denying this, Byakuya states he cannot allow Kōga to remain alive any longer and says all of Kōga's actions have been a disgrace to the Kuchiki Clan before stating he will kill Kōga for this. Saying this is predictable, Kōga states this was said with all of the arrogance he would expect from the Kuchiki Clan.

Agreeing to fight Byakuya, Kōga says Byakuya being the Head of the Kuchiki Clan is ample reason to fight him regardless of his threats. Standing up, Muramasa tells Kōga to use him and states he will still fight for Kōga. As Kōga expresses surprise, Muramasa limps toward him and says his power and Kōga's are one before stating his power belongs to Kōga. Smiling, Kōga raises his sword in front of him. As Muramasa expresses surprise, Kōga snaps the blade of his sword in two with a downward chop as those present express surprise.

As the two pieces of the sword land on the ground, Muramasa falls to his knees and asks Kōga why he did this. Saying Muramasa has become a hindrance to him, Kōga states he does not need to use a pathetic and unstable sword like Muramasa and says his power alone is enough. Cursing, Ichigo asks Kōga if he has no loyalty or respect for his own Zanpakutō Spirit, prompting Kōga to state a Zanpakutō is merely a tool for which there are countless replacements. Clutching his throat with both hands, Muramasa yells as black-red Reiatsu surges around him.

As Muramasa's Reiatsu spirals around him, those present leap back as Ichigo calls out to Muramasa. As Rukia notes Muramasa is unable to control his own Reiryoku because his despair is so powerful, Muramasa's body begins to bubble as he calls out to Kōga. When dozens of Gillians rise from the sea of Reiatsu surrounding Muramasa, Ichigo expresses shock as Rukia notes Muramasa collected Menos inside of himself. Saying he is wasting time, Byakuya assumes a battle stance and leaps toward two Gillians, which are cut in half by a Getsuga Tenshō.

As the Gillians dissipate, Ichigo appears near Byakuya with Shunpo and states he knows Byakuya has only been pretending to betray them. Saying Byakuya's first duty is defending his clan's honor, Ichigo tells him to focus on defeating Kōga while they handle this. Stating Ichigo is right, Rukia appears near Byakuya with Shunpo. As Byakuya and Rukia look at each other, Rukia turns to Ichigo and tells him they should get going. As Ichigo confirms this, he and Rukia rush toward the Gillians. As Ichigo fires another Getsuga Tenshō, Rukia fires '''Hadō #73. Sōren Sōkatsui'''.

Watching this, Byakuya says Senbonzakura's name. As Senbonzakura appears next to Byakuya, they rush forward. When Byakuya tells him they should begin, Senbonzakura confirms this and disperses into blade petals, which condense into the sealed form of Senbonzakura in Byakuya's hand. As Byakuya hurtles forward, Kōga appears next to one of the spears, which is lodged in the ground, and pulls it out before leaping toward Byakuya. Clashing in midair, Byakuya and Kōga look at each other before separating and moving higher into the air with Shunpo.

When Byakuya asks him what the spear is supposed to be, Kōga holds the spear in front of him and asks Byakuya if he does not remember before stating he said he could find a replacement weapon. Assuming a battle stance, Kōga asks Byakuya if he is ready as Byakuya assumes a battle stances before moving to Kōga with Shunpo. Slashing at Kōga, who blocks, Byakuya strikes at Kōga, who blocks before slashing at Byakuya. Leaping back to avoid the slash, Byakuya swings his sword at Kōga, who dodges and swings his spear at Byakuya. When Byakuya dodges, Kōga slashes at him.

As he and Byakuya clash three more times, Kōga kicks at Byakuya, who dodges with Shunpo. As Byakuya lands behind him, Kōga turns around and rushes forward before stabbing at Byakuya with his spear. Deflecting Kōga's spear with his sword, Byakuya slashes at Kōga, who blocks with the handle of his spear. Grinning, Kōga pushes Byakuya's sword away and grabs his spear with both hands before stabbing at Byakuya. Deflecting Kōga's spear with his sword, Byakuya dodges another stab before stopping a third stab from the spear and swinging his blade toward Kōga.

Watching Byakuya's sword travel toward his head, Kōga expresses derision and dodges before moving away from Byakuya. When Kōga swings his spear upward, Byakuya turns around and blocks with his sword. Leaping away from each other, Byakuya and Kōga charge toward each other as Kōga stabs at Byakuya, who blocks with his sword. As Kōga's spear grinds along his sword, Byakuya pushes the spear away and slashes at Kōga, who blocks with the handle of his spear. As Kōga pulls his spear back, Byakuya stabs at him, forcing Kōga to block as Byakuya pulls his sword back.

When Byakuya swings his sword down, Kōga blocks with the end of his spear as Byakuya pulls his sword back and slashes at him once more. Blocking with the blade of his spear, Kōga traps Byakuya's blade between the spear's blade and axe-like section before pulling Byakuya forward as he swings the other end of the spear toward him. Watching the end of the spear travel toward him, Byakuya leans back to avoid it and pulls his sword back before striking at Kōga, who blocks with the axe-like section of his spear and admits Byakuya possesses the skill of a Kuchiki Clan leader.

As he and Byakuya move away from each other with Shunpo, Kōga tells Byakuya they will see how well he fares with Kidō before firing Kongōbaku at him. Holding his hand in front of him, Byakuya fires '''Hadō #33. Sōkatsui''', which collides with the blast of red energy in midair and cancels it out. As a circle of green energy surrounds the end of his spear, Kōga uses Gaki Rekkō, causing several dozen green blasts to fire at Byakuya in a cage-like formation. Dodging the blasts with Shunpo, Byakuya appears on the edge of the lake and fires several '''Hadō #4. Byakurai''' at Kōga, who dodges with Shunpo.

Appearing behind Byakuya, Kōga uses Hyōga Seiran, causing a large wave of ice to burst from the end of his spear. As Byakuya uses '''Bakudō #81. Dankū''', which forms a large translucent wall-shaped barrier behind him, the wave of ice crashes into the barrier and surges around it. As Ichigo calls out to Byakuya, the wave of ice destroys several Gillians, which dissipate. As Kōga yells, the wall-shaped barrier behind Byakuya cracks before shattering. As the wave of ice surges over Byakuya, the entire lake is frozen solid. As Kōga smiles, a chunk of ice in front of him explodes as blade petals surge out of it.

As the blade petals condense into his sword, Byakuya states Kōga's Kidō is no match for Senbonzakura and says it is child's play. When Byakuya tells him he will have to do better than this, Kōga tells him to not be so smug and appears in front of him with Shunpo before swinging his spear at him. When Byakuya leaps into the air, Kōga points his spear toward him as the air around it distorts. As Byakuya stops in midair with his arms clasped to his sides, Kōga states he has captured Byakuya's shadow and says Byakuya is no longer able to move as Byakuya sees dozens of tentacles constricting him in the reflection of the lake.

As Kōga states Byakuya cannot move a single finger, Byakuya releases Senbonzakura, causing his sword to disperse into blade petals, which cut through the tentacles. When Byakuya sends the blade petals toward him, Kōga holds his spear in front of him and spins it. As the blade petals surge around it, Kōga's spear shatters as Byakuya appears behind him. As Kōga looks over his shoulder, Byakuya says it ends here and bifurcates. Looking through the space between the two halves of Kōga, Byakuya expresses surprise upon seeing Kōga standing in front of his bifurcated body, which fades away.

Stating Byakuya left himself wide open, Kōga stands behind Byakuya and slashes him across the back with the broken handle of his spear. As Byakuya stumbles forward, Kōga proclaims he is not getting away and appears in front of Byakuya, who cuts him in half once more. As the bifurcated Kōga fades away, Kōga appears behind him in the air and slashes at Byakuya, whose shoulder is cut. As Byakuya expresses surprise, Kōga appears in front of him and grins. Moving back with Shunpo as Kōga lands on the ground, Byakuya asks Kōga what he has done and wonders how this happened.

Saying Muramasa was able to control the minds of the Zanpakutō Spirits, Kōga states he got inside of them and reveals his ability to do this came from Kōga's power. Saying he can confuse all five of his adversary's senses by sending his Reiryoku into them, Kōga appears next to Byakuya, who expresses surprise and cuts Kōga in half once more. As Kōga's bifurcated body fades away, Kōga appears several feet away and proclaims all of Byakuya's senses are in the palm of his hand before stating Byakuya cannot tell if Kōga is actually standing before him.

When Byakuya says this is an illusion, Kōga denies this and proclaims an illusion is far too simplistic before throwing the broken handle of his spear toward Byakuya, who slashes at it. As the broken hilt fades, it hurtles toward Byakuya again and bounces off of his chest before clattering on the ice. Stating Byakuya's perception is off in his present state, Kōga says Byakuya's eyes cannot tell when something is coming at him or when he should swing his sword. Stating Byakuya can no longer fight effectively because nothing matches up, Kōga says Byakuya made it easy.

As dozens of clones of Kōga appear and disappear behind him, Kōga states he would not have been able to use this skill if Byakuya had attacked while closing his mind off to Kōga like Ginrei and Captain-Commander Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto did. Saying he surprised Byakuya when he snapped Muramasa, Kōga states Byakuya let his guard down for a moment, prompting Byakuya to say Kōga is wrong. As Kōga expresses confusion, Byakuya reveals he challenged Kōga with his mind wide open in order to kill him and states he would not have been able to destroy Kōga if he closed his heart.

As an irritated Kōga says Byakuya has a lot of nerve to speak to him like this in the current situation, Byakuya holds his sword in front of him as its blade glows pink. Moving to another spear with Shunpo, Kōga proclaims he will not let Byakuya do this and infuses the spear with blue Reiatsu before throwing it toward Byakuya. As the spear begins to appear in multiple places, a surprised Byakuya moves away with Shunpo, only for the spear to hit his hand, sending his sword flying away. When his hand begins to glow, Byakuya expresses confusion.

Leaping into the air with the remaining two spears in hand, Kōga infuses one of them with blue Reiatsu and throws it toward Byakuya, who moves back with Shunpo. As the spear traps Byakuya's other hand, Kōga uses Hyōga Seiran once more, causing a large amount of ice to burst from the center of the spear in his hand. As Byakuya uses '''Bakudō #81. Dankū''' once more, which forms a translucent wall-like barrier in front of him, the wave of ice crashes into him from the side. As Kōga states Byakuya is facing the wrong way, Byakuya stands with the lower half of his body encased in ice.

Chuckling, Kōga say this is a pathetic sight and states Byakuya is powerless without his Zanpakutō as the spears trapping Byakuya's hands glow with blue Reiatsu, which fades. Laughing, Kōga says the skills of his enemies are irrelevant and proclaims everyone falls to their knees before him. Stating it is all because of his own power, Kōga says he does not need anything from a Zanpakutō and proclaims he is the most powerful Shinigami to ever live. Telling Byakuya this will be his last day as the Kuchiki Clan leader, Kōga assumes a battle stance and grins.

Running toward Byakuya, Kōga yells and stabs at him with his spear, only for it to be blocked by four streams of blade petals converging in front of Byakuya's face. Expressing confusion, Kōga turns to see the blade petals emerging from Byakuya's sword, which lies on the ice several feet away. As Kōga states it is impossible for a Zanpakutō to enter its Shikai on its own, the blade petals condense into Senbonzakura, who stands next to Byakuya. As Byakuya says his name, Senbonzakura says he knows Byakuya's senses and body have been shut down.

Stating he will fight as Byakuya's eyes and limbs, Senbonzakura tells Byakuya to instruct him as he wishes before dispersing into blade petals. As the ice encasing Byakuya's lower body shatters, the blade petals swirling around Byakuya condense into his sword. When Kōga proclaims he will control the senses of both Byakuya and Senbonzakura together, Byakuya says he does not think so and drops his sword, which phases into the ground. As two columns of giant blades rise up on either side of Byakuya, the blades disperse into blade petals as Byakuya activates his Bankai, Senbonzakura Kageyoshi.

As Kōga expresses shock, the blade petals condense into four circular rows of glowing pink swords as Byakuya activates Senkei. Stating this is the true form of Senbonzakura Kageyoshi, Byakuya says it is a space which focuses offensive energy for the sole purpose of defeating an enemy. Calling a sword to his hand, Byakuya states there is no need for defensive power here and says confused senses will not help Kōga because his sword will be able to find Kōga regardless of where he is. Laughing, Kōga proclaims they shall test the precision of the sword's guidance as he glows with blue Reiatsu.

As Byakuya glows with white Reiatsu, he and Kōga leap toward each other and clash. As blue and white Reiatsu radiates from them in opposite directions, Byakuya and Kōga separate before turning around and clashing once more. As an explosion occurs within Senkei, Byakuya and Kōga separate and slide back upon landing on the ground. When Kōga points his spear at Byakuya, the air around his spear distorts as Byakuya is constricted by the invisible tentacles once more. Appearing, Senbonzakura extends his hand, causing several swords to fall and cut through the tentacles.

As Kōga expresses shock, Byakuya leaps toward him with his sword pointed at him. Watching Byakuya's sword approach his eye, Kōga turns his head to avoid the attack as Byakuya hurtles past him. Moving back with Shunpo, Kōga pants as Byakuya turns to face him. Cursing, Kōga demands to know how Byakuya possesses so much power. Appearing behind Byakuya, Senbonzakura states fighting together gives them power. Saying a Shinigami and a Zanpakutō Spirit combine to make one, Senbonzakura states they are only able to display their true power when their souls are in harmony with one another.

Saying Kōga's pride caused him to abandon the one he needs right now, Senbonzakura states Kōga cannot defeat them alone. Telling Senbonzakura to shut up, Kōga says Senbonzakura does not know enough about him to judge him like this and states no one acknowledges what he did despite his successes. Saying they branded him a traitor and tried to seal him away instead, Kōga states he had to create a place for himself somewhere if this was the case and says order is created by power before proclaiming he is going to become king of the new world with his power.

When Byakuya states this is foolish, Kōga demands to know what he said. Saying Kōga failing to understand the true nature of power is the real tragedy, Byakuya states Kōga needs the power to relate to others and connect to his Zanpakutō Spirit in a synergistic way. Saying Byakuya sounds like a complete idiot, Kōga states this has never been the kind of power which he has needed and says his power is like no other before before proclaiming his power is absolute and has no equal anywhere in the universe, prompting Byakuya to note there does not appear to any use discussing this.

Telling Kōga to blame his own immaturity for not being able to realize his confidence is actually arrogance, Byakuya assumes a battle stance and tells Kōga he will now complete his duty as head of the Kuchiki Clan as he swore under oath to do. As Byakuya states he is honoring the wishes of his predecessors, the floating blades disperse into blade petals, which condense into a pair of white wings on Byakuya's back as Byakuya activates Shūkei: Hakuteiken. Saying Byakuya is more then he expected, Kōga states few of the Kuchiki Clan leaders were as powerful as Byakuya.

When Byakuya says he will pay his final respects by using this ultimate technique because Kōga was once a member of the Kuchiki Clan, Kōga proclaims he will defeat Byakuya and end this curse of having ever been part of the Kuchiki Clan once and for all. As Kōga assumes a battle stance, blue Reiatsu radiates from him as the ice under him and Byakuya shatters. As chunks of ice rise into the air around them, Kōga yells and leaps forward. As Byakuya leaps forward, he and Kōga collide in an explosion of Reiatsu.

Shinigami Illustrated Picture Book
As Yasutora Sado ponders the existence of manifested Zanpakutō Spirits, Uryū Ishida pops up behind him and tells Sado to not let it get to him. Stating he is sure Sado can talk to Brazo Derecha de Gigante as well, Uryū says he can do it and holds up his Quincy cross. Crouching behind Uryū, Ichigo Kurosaki pretends to be the manifested spirit of Ginrei Kōjaku and states they were able to talk ever since Uryū opened up to him. As Uryū expresses happiness, Ichigo points out he has another weapon as well and says he wishes to talk as well. As Uryū wonders if it could be his Seele Schneider, Ichigo tells Sado to pretend to be the manifested spirit of Uryū's Seele Schneider, which Sado declines to do.

Fights

 * Byakuya Kuchiki vs. Senbonzakura (concluded)
 * Byakuya Kuchiki vs. Kōga Kuchiki (concluded)

Characters in Order of Appearance

 * 1) Kōga Kuchiki
 * 2) Byakuya Kuchiki
 * 3) Ichigo Kurosaki
 * 4) Rukia Kuchiki
 * 5) Muramasa
 * 6) Senbonzakura
 * 7) Ginrei Kuchiki
 * 8) Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto
 * 9) Renji Abarai (flashback)

Powers and Techniques Used
Kidō used:
 * '''Hadō #4. (flashback)
 * (flashback)
 * '''Hadō #73.
 * '''Hadō #33.
 * '''Bakudō #81.
 * '''Bakudō #81.
 * '''Bakudō #81.
 * '''Bakudō #81.

Techniques used:
 * Spiritual Threads
 * Illusions
 * Illusions

Shinigami techniques used:

Zanpakutō released:

Shikai:

Bankai:

Trivia

 * In the English dub, Byakuya mistakenly says "Hadō" instead of "Bakudō" when using Bakudō #81. Dankū.