Fierce Fighting Conclusion! Who's the Strongest?

'''Fierce Fighting Conclusion! Who's the Strongest?''' is the two-hundred-second episode of the Bleach anime.

Kenpachi and Nnoitra conclude their battle.

Statistics

 * Original Airdate: January 13, 2009
 * English Airdate:
 * Opening Song: Velonica
 * Ending Song: Sky Chord ~Otona ni Naru Kimi e~
 * Manga Chapters: Chapter 311, Chapter 312.
 * Kanji: 激闘決着！最強は誰だ
 * Romaji: "Gekitō kecchaku! Saikyō wa dare da"
 * Arc: Hueco Mundo arc Part 2

Summary
Byakuya and Mayuri have already brought their battles to a close, but the battle between Nnoitra and Kenpachi Zaraki is still raging on. It seems Kenpachi is unable to cut the Espada. Nnoitra accidentally knocks off Kenpachi's eyepatch releasing his full power and Kenpachi slashes him and heavily damages him. Angered by this Nnoitra releases his Zanpakutō Santa Teresa, which excites Kenpachi, he attacks Nnoitra but is blown away by the Espada. Ichigo looks on at the battle and attempts to intervene, but Yachiru reassures them that this is Kenpachi's fight and tells Ichigo not to interfere. Kenpachi is seen with a hole in his ribs and laughs, saying that they are fighting on the same grounds now.Nnoitra then generates another scythe weapon and tells Kenpachi that it is over. However, Kenpachi beings to laugh hysterically, much to Nnoitra's surprise. He then admits to how much he is enjoying the fight and notes that it isn't the end because the fight has just begun. Kenpachi then cuts through a nearby structure sending it flying at Nnoitra. The two go at with full force, with Kenpachi sustaining many injuries in the process. Nnoitra then cuts off a piece of the same structure, but Kenpachi cuts it in half before it can crush him. The two continue to fight with Kenpachi gaining more wounds but relentlessly still continuing to fight with no stopping. After being critically wounded by Nnoitra, Kenpachi begins to realize that at this rate, he will end up dead. He then reluctantly decides to use kendō, though he admits that it's been quite some time since he has used it. When Nnoitra becomes confused, Kenpachi explains that the Captain-Commander made him learn it when he first joined the Gotei 13, but he never liked it and asks Nnoitra if he knew a sword is more powerful when you use two hands instead one. Nnoitra becomes bored with the conversation and charges at Kenpachi, who grips his sword with both hands and swings it down. Kenpachi manages to land a powerful blow, dealing Nnoitra a fatal wound to his chest almost severing him in half. He is surprised that the Espada is still alive and then turns to walk away. Nnoitra yells at him asking where he is going as the fight isn't over. Kenpachi explains he doesn't know what he is talking about, as the blow finished him and he is not about to be bothered with finishing someone off who can't even fight back. Undeterred, Nnoitra gets up and tells him the fight isn't over and taunts him to come back and continue fighting. Finally Kenpachi gives in as Nnoitra moves to attack him, but Kenpachi lands another blow to his chest and Nnoitra falls to the ground. As he dies, Nnoitra makes eye contact with Nel who awakens in time to see him die. Kenpachi stands over Nnoitra's corpse victorious, thanking him for the good fight.

Characters in Order of Appearance

 * 1) Ichigo Kurosaki
 * 2) Orihime Inoue
 * 3) Nnoitra Gilga
 * 4) Yachiru Kusajishi
 * 5) Kenpachi Zaraki
 * 6) Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck (flashback)
 * 7) Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez (flashback)
 * 8) Yasutora Sado (flashback)

Fights

 * Ichigo Kurosaki, Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck & Kenpachi Zaraki vs. Nnoitra Gilga (concluded)

Powers and Techniques Used
Techniques used:

Hollow techniques used:
 * (flashback)

Resurrección used:

Other powers:
 * (flashback)
 * (flashback)

Episode Notes

 * This episode marks the use of a new ending theme, Sky Chord ~Otona ni Naru Kimi e~, which is the eighteenth ending song.