Ikkaku's Bankai! The Power that Breaks Everything

Ikkaku trades blows with Edrad, who fights bare-handed thanks to his armor-like Hierro until Ikkaku threatens his arm and forces him to draw his blade. Watching nearby, a baffled Keigo Asano learns from Yumichika that Ikkaku ranks among the Gotei 13's fiercest fighters and is savoring a rare worthy opponent, content to die happy rather than accept any help. Ikkaku tricks Edrad by swapping his sword and scabbard between hands, slashing the Arrancar's face and losing two teeth in the exchange.

Impressed against his will, Edrad activates his Resurrección, Volcánica, sheathing his arms in massive white limbs and hurling Ikkaku blocks away with a torrent of flame. Elsewhere Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez appears and impales Rukia to test who is stronger, sending Ichigo charging at him. Fearing the enemy's escalating power, Yumichika contacts the research institute to request spatial freezes around the Shinigami and, grimly, a funeral for Ikkaku.

Battered and burning, Ikkaku braces against Edrad's fist and reluctantly unleashes his Bankai, Ryūmon Hōzukimaru, a trio of great blades whose tornado shatters windows and cuts power lines. He cleaves through Edrad's flaming fist, though his weapon chips easily, being pure destructive force rather than defense or speed. Ikkaku explains that his lazy blade only wakes by trading blows, its dragon crest reddening toward full power, and once it fills completely the two rivals collide in a final burst of fire and energy.

Ikkaku forces Edrad to draw and then release his sealed Zanpakutō. Edrad activates Volcánica and overwhelms Ikkaku with flames. Grimmjow arrives and stabs Rukia while sizing up Ichigo. Yumichika requests spatial freezes and, believing Ikkaku doomed, a division funeral. Ikkaku reveals his Bankai, Ryūmon Hōzukimaru, and explains its dragon-crest mechanic. The rivals clash once the weapon reaches maximum power.

The episode adapts Chapter 203 through Chapter 205 and features Hierro, Palma Plancha, Sonído, Shunpo, Ikkaku's Shikai and Bankai forms of Hōzukimaru, and Edrad's Resurrección Volcánica. The anime expands several exchanges, softens the bloodshed, and alters how Hōzukimaru breaks. A Picture Book gag has Renji nervously asking Byakuya to skip the lieutenants' meeting. The opening theme is Rolling Star and the ending is Sakura Biyori.