The Strongest Shinigami! Ultimate Confrontation Between Teacher and Students

is the fifty-fifth episode of the Bleach anime.

Battles begin all throughout the Seireitei.

Summary
Ichigo Kurosaki and Captain Byakuya Kuchiki stand with their blades locked, discussing their reasons for their actions, with neither able to understand the motivations of the other. Deciding that talking is pointless, the two resume combat. Byakuya swears to defeat Ichigo and execute Rukia Kuchiki with his own hands, while Ichigo swears to stop him.

Meanwhile, Lieutenant Renji Abarai and Rukia are escaping from Sōkyoku Hill. Rukia demands that Renji go back and help Ichigo, but Renji refuses. He tells her about Ichigo's promise to repay his debt to her, but Rukia still regrets changing his life. Renji assures her that things will be fine and that no one ever thinks poorly of her for anything.

Back at Sōkyoku Hill, Kiyone Kotetsu rushes to the aid of her sister, Lieutenant Isane Kotetsu, and Sentarō Kotsubaki rushes to help her, but he is incapacitated by Captain Suì-Fēng. Kiyone stops in her tracks, and Captain-Commander Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto holds Captains Jūshirō Ukitake and Shunsui Kyōraku at bay for their treachery. Shunsui, Jūshirō, and Lieutenant Nanao Ise retreat, with Yamamoto following, and Suì-Fēng prepares to kill Kiyone, but she is ambushed by Yoruichi Shihōin, and the two fall from Sōkyoku Hill.

Elsewhere, Captain Retsu Unohana transports Isane and the injured back to the Fourth Division's headquarters for treatment, and Retsu asks Isane to follow her to an unrevealed location.

Meanwhile, Yamamoto berates Shunsui and Jūshirō for the crime they have committed. Seeing Yamamoto's power, Nanao reaches for her Zanpakutō, but makes eye contact with Yamamoto. Both his stare and Reiatsu incapacitates Nanao, causing her to collapse and make it difficult for her to breathe. Shunsui moves to shield her from Yamamoto's Reiatsu before removing Nanao entirely from the battlefield. Shunsui returns. Yamamoto commends him for his exceptional talent with Shunpo, and reflect on each of their outstanding performances and standing in the Shin'ō Academy. Then deeming that further talk is useless, Yamamoto removes his haori and releases his Zanpakutō, Ryūjin Jakka, as the battle between three of the four oldest captains in Seireitei commences.

Shinigami Cup Golden
The Karakura Superheroes fight and defeat a Hollow in Karakura Town while Zennosuke Kurumadani watches and wonders what they are.

Characters in Order of Appearance

 * 1) Byakuya Kuchiki
 * 2) Ichigo Kurosaki
 * 3) Renji Abarai
 * 4) Rukia Kuchiki
 * 5) Kiyone Kotetsu
 * 6) Sentarō Kotsubaki
 * 7) Shunsui Kyōraku
 * 8) Jūshirō Ukitake
 * 9) Isane Kotetsu
 * 10) Suì-Fēng
 * 11) Nanao Ise
 * 12) Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto
 * 13) Yoruichi Shihōin
 * 14) Retsu Unohana
 * 15) Marechiyo Ōmaeda
 * 16) Chōjirō Sasakibe

Fights

 * Ichigo Kurosaki vs. Byakuya Kuchiki: Rematch
 * Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto vs. Shunsui Kyōraku & Jūshirō Ukitake

Powers and Techniques Used
Techniques Used:
 * Shunpo (瞬歩, Flash steps)

Zanpakutō released:

Shikai


 * Minazuki (肉雫唼, Purify the Flesh)
 * Ryūjin Jakka (流刃若火; Flowing Flame Blade)