Byakuya, Disappearing with the Cherry Blossoms

Byakuya, Disappearing with the Cherry Blossoms is the two-hundred thirty-first episode of the Bleach anime.

Ichigo battles against the Zanpakutō, Sode no Shirayuki, who arrives in the Human World while chasing after Rukia.

Summary
During the night while patrolling the town, Ichigo senses a high amount of Reiatsu and searches for where it's coming from. He heads to one of the rivers in Karakura Town. While there, a Senkaimon opens and Rukia emerges from it falls, causing Ichigo to run and catch her. He notices that she is injured and asks if she's all right.

Ichigo then sees another Senkaimon open, this time revealing a young woman in a white kimono. The woman freezes the ground as she moves towards Ichigo and Rukia, leaving a trail, but Ichigo manages to get Rukia and himself out of the way. The woman asks if he is the Substitute Shinigami of the town and when Ichigo doesn't answer her, she attacks him. She says that she will be taking Rukia with her. Ichigo refuses to give her Rukia, and begins battling her As they fight, he recognizes the woman's techniques to be that of Rukia's. Before he can say much, the woman disappears through another Senkaimon. Ichigo learns from Rukia that the person he'd just fought is actually her Zanpakutō, Sode no Shirayuki.

Rukia is taken to Urahara Shop, where Orihime heals her injuries. Morning falls and Ichigo discusses the battle with his friends and the residents of the shop. Urahara says that he's already sent Yoruichi to Soul Society to do some checking on things. The group then go to Rukia and she explains that the events that occurred in Soul Society following Muramasa's appearance and the subsequent betrayal of the Zanpakutō spirits. She tells of how the Zanpakutō all began attacking their masters and causing destruction around the Seireitei.

As she concludes, Yoruichi returns from Soul Society. She sits down and explains about what she saw and details on how awful the Seireitei appeared after the destruction from the previous night. When asked by Rukia, she also says that Byakuya is the only captain unnaccounted for from the attack. Although Rukia is worried, Ichigo tries reassuring her by saying that Byakuya won't lose easily.

However, by that night Rukia already left for the Soul Society. He quickly returns back to Urahara Shop and there, he asks Urahara to open the Senkaimon. Yoruichi seconds the idea, adding that she'll be going back to the Soul Society shortly. Urahara hesitantly agrees and opens up a Senkaimon for them, warning them to be careful as both head out.

Arrancar Encyclopedia
Gin explains the names of Mamut, Tigre Estoque, Cierva, Leona and Anaconda and how to write them in kanji. Ichigo walks onscreen and questions the purpose of the segment, causing Gin to talk about how serious studio executives are about it and how difficult it is to run the segment. He then asks if Ichigo is able to host it himself.

Fights

 * Ichigo Kurosaki vs. Sode no Shirayuki (concluded)
 * The Rebellion Begins: Rise of Muramasa (concluded)
 * Byakuya Kuchiki vs. Senbonzakura

Powers and Techniques Used
Kidō used:
 * Bakudō # 61, Rikujōkōrō (六杖光牢, Six Rods Prison of Light)

Techniques used:
 * Getsuga Tenshō (月牙天衝, Moon Fang Heaven-Piercer)
 * Some no mai, Tsukishiro (初の舞・月白, First Dance, White Moon)
 * Tsugi no mai, Hakuren (次の舞・白漣, Next Dance, White Ripple)
 * Hikotsu Taihō (狒骨大砲, Baboon Bone Cannon)

Zanpakutō released:

Shikai:
 * Sode no Shirayuki (袖白雪, Sleeved White Snow)
 * Hyōrinmaru (氷輪丸, Ice Ring)
 * Tenken (天譴, Heavenly Punishment)
 * Senbonzakura (千本桜, Thousand Cherry Blossoms)
 * Suzumebachi (雀蜂, Hornet)
 * Kazeshini (風死, Wind of Death)
 * Hōzukimaru (鬼灯丸, Demon Light)
 * Gegetsuburi (五形頭, Five-Formed Head)

Bankai:
 * Konjiki Ashisogi Jizō (金色疋殺地蔵, Golden Leg-Cutting Jizō)
 * Hihiō Zabimaru (狒狒王蛇尾丸, Baboon King Snake Tail)