Senbonzakura, Crushed! Zangetsu Thrusts through the Sky

'''Senbonzakura, Crushed! Zangetsu Thrusts through the Sky''' is the fifty-seventh episode of the Bleach anime.

Statistics

 * Original Airdate: November 8, 2005
 * English Airdate: March 30, 2008
 * Opening Song: Ichirin No Hana
 * Ending Song: Life
 * Manga Chapters: Chapter 159 through Chapter 161.
 * Kanji: 千本桜、粉砕! 天を衝く斬月
 * Romaji: "Senbonzakura, funsai! Ten o tsuku zangetsu"
 * Arc: Soul Society: The Rescue arc

Summary
Soifon and Yoruichi Shihōin continue to battle it out to determine who is strongest. Soifon revisits her childhood back when she had first learned that her life belonged to the protection of the head of the Onmitsukidō. She remembers Yoruichi's kind treatment of her and how close they were before her betrayal.

Meanwhile, Ichigo Kurosaki and Byakuya Kuchiki clash swords and Byakuya releases his Shikai.