Dragon of Ice and Dragon of Flame! The Strongest Showdown!

Yamamoto, Shunsui Kyōraku, Jūshirō Ukitake, Yoruichi Shihōin, and Ichigo Kurosaki remain hemmed in by lashing tendrils of Ryūjin Jakka's flame, which repel every attempt to break out. Yamamoto discloses that Muramasa has crossed into the Human World to reach a spiritual hotspot hidden within Karakura Town. There, Muramasa arrives alongside Byakuya Kuchiki and Senbonzakura, though his body flickers transparent and he grows short on time. Elsewhere in Soul Society, Kenpachi Zaraki cuts down Gonryōmaru so he can finally face Tenken alone, provoking the spirit into unleashing his Bankai, Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō.

Yamamoto at last explains Muramasa's purpose: to free Kōga Kuchiki, a Shinigami banished long ago who once used Muramasa's power to seize control of other Zanpakutō and lead a devastating revolt against the Seireitei. Muramasa has extracted the sealing secret from Yamamoto's mind and could annihilate the town if reunited with Kōga. On the hidden island, Orihime Inoue heals the collapsed Muramasa despite knowing he is Ichigo's enemy, until Uryū Ishida and Yasutora Sado arrive. Hitsugaya then descends, freezing Ryūjin Jakka's fire with Daiguren Hyōrinmaru and clearing a gap so Ichigo can pursue Muramasa.

Yoruichi repeatedly activates Shunkō to smash through collapsing rock, only to be cornered by the Zanpakutō spirits Haineko and Tobiume, who return for a rematch. Kenpachi's duel escalates into a Bankai clash with Tenken. Orihime's decision to mend a wounded enemy underscores her nature, and the black-red Reiatsu radiating from Muramasa unnerves her with its Arrancar-like darkness. Yamamoto reveals that the whole Kōga incident was buried in secrecy after Soul Society barely captured and sealed the traitor.

Ichigo blames himself, since Muramasa used a copied Getsuga Tenshō to shatter Yamamoto's barrier. Hitsugaya, now healed, arrives on his ice dragon and freezes the wall of flame, then uses Ryūsenka to punch a hole through it. Yamamoto declares he will finally discipline Ryūjin Jakka as the wood peels from his cane, and Ichigo bolts through the opening to chase Muramasa down.

Episode 248 is anime-only and belongs to the Zanpakutō Unknown Tales arc, adapting no manga chapters. It aired in Japan on December 1, 2009, and in English on April 8, 2012, with Anima Rossa as the opening and Sakurabito as the ending. A closing Shinigami Illustrated Picture Book segment has Renji buying Rukia a tiny Chappy doll, only for her to be far more delighted by the giant Chappy that Ukitake already sent to her hospital room.