Conclusion of the Death Match! White Pride and Black Desire

'''Conclusion of the Death Match! White Pride and Black Desire''' is the fifty-ninth episode of the Bleach anime.

Statistics

 * Original Airdate: November 22, 2005
 * English Airdate: April 13, 2008
 * Opening Song: Ichirin No Hana
 * Ending Song: Life
 * Manga Chapters: Chapter 164, Chapter 165, Chapter 166, Chapter 167.
 * Kanji: 死闘決着! 白き誇りと黒き想い
 * Romaji: "Shitō ketchaku! Shiroki hokori to kuroki omoi"
 * Arc: Soul Society: The Rescue arc

Summary
Chad, Orihime, Uryū, and Ganju, accompanied by Makizō Aramaki, are making their way up the Sōkyoku, following Ichigo's reiatsu. Having reached the top, they encounter Eleventh Division lieutenant, Yachiru Kusajishi, who informs them that Rukia Kuchiki has already escaped. Uryū speculates that Ichigo is fighting someone powerful, saying that just freeing Rukia wasn't enough, and that it was also necessary to thoroughly defeat the enemy to prevent him from capturing Rukia again.

Makizō questions their devotion to Rukia, but Orihime responds by saying that Rukia is more than just a friend, because she means that much to Ichigo. Because it was Rukia that changed Ichigo's life and Ichigo that changed all of their lives.

Meanwhile at the execution sight, Byakuya pushes Ichigo's blade away. He then proceeds to use his Senkei, saying it is Senbozakura's true form, when he abandons all defense and risks everything to kill his enemy. He remarks that Ichigo is only the second person to witness it. Ichigo thanks him, and the duel commences and huge amounts of spiritual pressure are released. Uryū suggests they find a safer place to wait, but Orihime insists on staying.

Ichigo realizes Byakuya has gained speed since revealing his Senkei, but is confident in his ability to counter it. While their swords are locked, Byakuya surprises Ichigo by summoning another sword from within the Senkei and skewering Ichigo's foot, nailing him to the ground, and then attacking him with Byakurai through the shoulder. Ichigo, now severely injured, struggles to move his unwilling body while Byakuya's blade nears him. Ichigo fades towards death, and in his desperation, his Inner Hollow appears as the mask is being formed on Ichigo's face, blocking Byakuya's fatal blow with one hand and responding with two slashes to Byakuya's body.

The Inner Hollow tells Ichigo that his own body can't handle the strains involved with using the Bankai. Saying he will show Ichigo how to use the Bankai properly, the Hollow attacks using a black Getsuga Tenshō, much to the surprise of Byakuya, who escapes using shunpo twice before finally getting hit by a surprise attack from the back.

The Hollow is about to continue his attack when Ichigo intervenes and rips off the mask. He apologizes to Byakuya for the interference. Byakuya replies that he won't ask him about what just happend, and says that neither of them have enough strength to keep fighting for much longer. He suggests they finish the fight with one final attack. Ichigo agrees, but again asks why Byakuya did nothing to save Rukia. Byakuya replies that should Ichigo defeat him, then he will answer that question.

Byakuya uses his Shūkei, focusing all the cutting power of Senbonzakura into one blade. Ichigo complements the beauty of the technique, but says all he can do is focus all of his reiatsu into one single attack. Black reiatsu collides with white reiatsu and as their swords clash, the effect is so powerful it can be seen and felt throughout the Seireitei. When the echoes subside, both men sustain injury. Remembering the attack, Byakuya understands his sword has been shattered. He then answers Ichigo's question, explaining his beliefs about upholding the law even devoid of any emotional attachment. Ichigo answers that if he was in Byakuya's place he would fight the law and end it. Byakuya understands Ichigo's perspective and lets him know that he had won, and that Byakuya will pursue Rukia no more. He then uses his shunpo one last time and disappears.

Ichigo lets out a victory roar but is forced to stop when the world around him starts spinning, he begins to fall but his fall is broken when he bumps heads with Orihime. Orihime and the others gather around him and thank him for surviving.

At the entrance to the Central 46 compound, Tōshirō Hitsugaya is resolved to enter even by use of force if necessary. As he cuts through the door he realizes the alarm doesn't go off and there are no guards at the door, he says someone must have removed the guards and after entering, resealed the door, and deactivated the alarm to prevent any commotion. Tōshirō and Rangiku enter the building and it soon becomes clear that the place is deserted. They run down to the main hall, only to stop cold at the entrance, gazing in horror at what they have found.

Characters in order of appearance

 * Makizō Aramaki
 * Ganju Shiba
 * Uryū Ishida
 * Orihime Inoue
 * Yasutora Sado
 * Yachiru Kusajishi
 * Rukia Kuchiki
 * Ichigo Kurosaki
 * Byakuya Kuchiki
 * Tōshirō Hitsugaya
 * Rangiku Matsumoto

Powers and Techniques used
Kidō used:
 * Hadō #4 Byakurai (白雷, Pale Lightning)

Techniques used:
 * Senkei (殲景, Massacre Scene)
 * Shunpo (瞬歩, Flash steps)
 * Getsuga Tenshō (月牙天衝, Moon Fang Heaven-Piercer)
 * Shūkei (終景, Final Scene; Viz: "last sight")

Zanpakutō released:

Bankai:
 * Tensa Zangetsu (天鎖斬月, Heavenly Chain Moon Cutter/Cutting Moon) (precedently released)
 * Senbonzakura Kageyoshi (千本桜景厳, Vibrant Display of a Thousand Cherry Blossoms) (precedently released)