One-on-one! Ichigo vs. Senbonzakura

 (一騎打ち!一護VS千本桜, Ikkiuchi! Ichigo VS Senbonzakura) is the two hundred forty-third episode of the Bleach anime.

The Shinigami continue to struggle against the Zanpakutō spirits when Kira defeats Kazeshni, 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 as it was kind enough to show up but Isane holds him back. As Ashisogi Jizō tries to release its poison against them, Isane uses Kidō to knock him into a building and Iba slashes him. 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 taunt Tenken and Gonryōmaru as it begins to rain, with the latter's power being enhanced by the newly arrived rain. He 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. Gonyrōmaru states that this measly rain would not be enough to quench his 'hellish inferno'. Suì-Fēng then points out that he is insulting his own abilities by saying this. Gonryōmaru translates what Tenken is saying, saying that the rain is merely a catalyst to strengthen his powers and it doesn't matter how strong it is. Suì-Fēng asks how they are able to communicate, but Gonryōmaru just replies that Tenken is merely shy. After taunting them some more, Gonryōmaru becomes angry and tries to hit Suì-Fēng with lightning, which she flashsteps away from. She manages to dodge the next two of his attacks then. While distracted by Gonryōmaru, however, Tenken is able to hit her with a sword attack. Suì-Fēng falls to the ground, but begins running towards Tenken. She kicks him in the face, which doesn't appear to affect him at all. She then tries to slash at 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. She promptly overwhelms Gonryōmaru and blocks Tenken's sword attack, but is struck on the back by her own Zanpakutō spirit, Suzumebachi. Suzumebachi complains that she was unable to strike her twice. She then asks what Suì-Fēng thinks of her new outfit, saying that she hated her 'boring old wardrobe'. She then goes on to say that Suì-Fēng sounds stupid when she runs around after Yoruichi and that she should go and get some new clothes and get a boyfriend.

Elsewhere, Yumichika Ayasegawa is fighting against Ruri'iro Kujaku. Yumichika is seen crashing into a wall and sitting by it, clearly wounded. Kujaku tells him that his bark is worse than his bite and that he is merely a pushover. The angers Yumichika, who rushes at Kujaku, who blocks all of his attacks. He then tells Kujaku that he will never forgive him, but Kujaku retorts that he doesn't care and it's time Yumichika surrendered. He then tells Yumichika that Ikkaku's reiatsu has disappeared. Yumichika tells him that Ikkaku didn't lose, as Hōzukimaru's reiatsu has also disappeared, but Kujaku just tells him that he's probably just trying to match his opponent's fighting style. He then proceeds to activate his Shikai and quickly immobilizes Yumichika. Kujaku asks him how it feels to be attacked by the power he hates so much. Yumichika replies that he doesn't want anyone to find out about it, as he will be kicked out of the 11th Division. Kujaku tells him that he is stubborn and then pulls him towards him, causing Yumichika to drop his katana.

Meanwhile, Isane and Iba are in a 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 focussing on killing Isane. Tobiume yells that she is always the backup, Haineko tells her that last time they lost 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, leaving her legs paralyzed. Iba runs to help Isane, but is blocked by Haineko.

In the Fourth Division compound, the injured Tōshirō Hitsugaya awakens and is told about the current situation by Hyōrinmaru. Hyorinmaru 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 right that minute. Tōshirō then tries to get out of bed, but is stopped by Hyōrinmaru who tells him to believe in them and that this isn't enough to defeat them.

Meanwhile, Iba and Haineko are both battling, but not managing to strike each other. Isane strikes at Tobiume, who has been standing right behind her, but Tobiume dodges her attack. As Tobiume prepares to attack her, Momo Hinamori blocks her with her katana. 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, starting to breathe its poison. Iba and Rangiku run away from it, but the poison starts to catch up to them.

Elsewhere, Ichigo is battling Senbonzakura and managing to block its attacks with his Bankai. Byakuya stands over Renji, who is lying injured on the floor, Zabimaru is also lying on the ground near Renji. Rukia runs and kneels down next to him, pleading with Byakuya to stop doing this. While blocking Senbonzakura's attacks, Ichigo notes that Ikkaku's reiatsu has vanished at that Yumichika is in trouble. He angrily fires Getsuga Tenshō at Senbonzakura, who dodges it.

Izuru Kira meanwhile, is managing to block Kazeshini's attacks. He tries to bind it with a Kidō, but Kazeshini effortlessly breaks it. He then tells Izuru that the Zanpakutō are clearly winning. Izuru asks him if her really wants to carry on attacking him, saying that his Zanpakutō's power will defeat him. Kazeshini asks him whether he has got his Shikai form back, Izuru tells him that only a stupid person would ask a question like that. Kazeshini remembers that Izuru 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, Izuru dodges the attack with Shunpo. Izuru raises his katana as if to release it and so Kazeshini rushes towards him as if to stop him. Izuru 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. Izuru then slashes him with his katana, causing Kazeshini to fall onto the roof of a building underneath them. He 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. He then proceeds to bind him with a Kidō. As he is about to turn around to help everyone else, however, he then spots Wabisuke behind him. Wabisuke has been slashing his katana without him realising it. Which weighs Izuru down, Wabisuke then slashes at Izuru himself, causing him to fall through the roof. As Izuru struggles to sit up, Wabisuke puts his foot down on him, forcing him back to the ground.

Ichigo notices that Izuru is in trouble. Senbonzakura asks him where he is looking. Ichigo, desperate to go and help the others, tells him to get out of the way and begins tring to attack him. Suddenly, a yellow beam of light shoots up from a building and into the sky. Kenpachi 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 Shakkahō (赤火砲, Shot of Red Fire)
 * Hadō #1 Shō (衝, Thrust)
 * Bakudō #39 Enkōsen (円閘扇, Arc Shield)
 * Hadō #58 Tenran (闐嵐, Orchid Sky)
 * Bakudō #63 Sajo Sabaku (鎖条鎖縛, Locking Bondage Stripes)

Techniques used
 * Getsuga Tenshō (月牙天衝, Moon Fang Heaven-Piercer)
 * Utsusemi (空蝉; Cicada)
 * Shunkō (瞬閧, Flash Cry)

Zanpakutō released

Shikai:
 * Tenken (天譴, Heavenly Punishment)
 * Hōzukimaru (鬼灯丸, Demon Light)
 * Kazeshini (風死, Wind Death)
 * Suzumebachi (雀蜂, Hornet)
 * Rui'iro Kujaku (瑠璃色孔雀, Azure Peacock)
 * Tobiume (飛梅, Flying Plum Tree)
 * Haineko (灰猫, Ash Cat)
 * Ashisogi Jizō (疋殺地蔵, Leg-Cutting Jizō)
 * Wabisuke (侘助, Miserable Man)

Bankai:
 * Tensa Zangetsu (天鎖斬月, Heavenly Chain Moon Cutter or Heavenly Chain Cutting Moon)
 * Senbonzakura Kageyoshi (千本桜景厳, Vibrant Display of a Thousand Cherry Blossoms)
 * Ryūmon Hōzukimaru (龍紋鬼灯丸, Dragon Crest Demon Light)