For the Sake of Pride! Byakuya vs. Renji
Kanji	誇りのために！白哉VS恋次
Romaji	Hokori no tame ni! Byakuya VS Renji
Episode Number	241
Manga Chapters	None
Arc	Zanpakutō Unknown Tales arc
Chronology
Previous Episode	Byakuya's Betrayal
Next Episode	Shinigami and Zanpakutō, Total Sortie
Airdate
Japanese	October 13, 2009
English	February 18, 2012
Theme Music
Opening	Shōjo S
Ending	Mad Surfer
Episode 241 Screenshots

For the Sake of Pride! Byakuya vs. Renji is the two-hundred forty-first episode of the Bleach anime.

Muramasa gives Byakuya a test of loyalty. Afterwards, he invades the Sixth Division barracks and is forced to defeat Renji.

Summary

Ichigo Kurosaki tells Renji Abarai that Byakuya Kuchiki has joined forces with Muramasa, but Renji refuses to believe it. Captains Retsu Unohana, Jūshirō Ukitake, and Shunsui Kyōraku, reflect upon the most recent events of the Zanpakutō rebellion. Ukitake says that while Tōshirō Hitsugaya has regained his Zanpakutō, he may be out of commission for a while. Captain Unohana reports the news from the 12th Division that if anyone other than a Zanpakutō's master defeats and destroys it, the sword is unlikely to ever return to normal. Nanao Ise suggests that it would be best to limit knowledge of Byakuya's betrayal to the captains, but Shunsui argues against it, as rumours will be difficult to control. Ukitake decides that he should be the one to break the news to Rukia Kuchiki.

Meanwhile, in the Zanpakutō Spirit's hideout, the gathered Zanpakutō, including Senbonzakura, question why Byakuya has defected. Haineko and Tobiume reveal that Byakuya set them free from the prison carriage. To prove that he really has turned against the Shinigami, Senbonzakura tells Byakuya to kill his sister's Zanpakutō, Sode no Shirayuki. Most of the Zanpakutō summon their weapons in anticipation of his refusal. Byakuya, however, attacks Sode no Shirayuki.

As the two duel, Sode no Shirayuki seems to have the upper hand, but is soon defeated after being caught in a Kidō spell. Byakuya kills her, saying that there is nothing he will not kill in order to defend his pride. Muramasa then appoints a task to Byakuya. With Renji's permission, Rukia searches Byakuya's office for a clue, but falls asleep at his desk. She awakens to find that the 6th Division's barracks has been attacked by her brother. Senbonzakura gives her the remains of Sode no Shirayuki. Byakuya tells his sister to stay away from him, while Senbonzakura attacks her. He is interrupted by Renji, who informs Byakuya that he is under arrest for aiding the rebellion and attacks him. When Renji tries to activate his Shikai, Byakuya tells him that he cannot do so due to his recent use of Higa Zekkō, but Zabimaru materializes and ends up fighting Senbonzakura, allowing Renji to continue against Byakuya; however, both Renji and his Zanpakutō are outmatched.

With Renji and Zabimaru defeated, Byakuya tells Rukia to stay out of the rebellion, and attempts to walk off. However, several Zanpakutō arrive with the intention of killing Rukia and Renji. Before they can attack, though, they are surrounded by members of the Onmitsukidō, led by Suì-Fēng, as well as Ikkaku Madarame, Yumichika Ayasegawa, Izuru Kira, and Ichigo.

Shinigami Illustrated Picture Book

Isane opens the door to Hitsugaya's room and discovers that several objects have been frozen. She also sees his Zanpakutō Hyōrinmaru sitting in a chair beside his master, and realizes that he's responsible. Isane tells the Zanpakutō that a patient's room must always be kept warm as she thaws out the frozen objects and removes an ice sculpture of him and Hitsugaya. After she's finished, Hyōrinmaru then freezes the entire room much to Isane's surprise.

Characters in Order of Appearance

Fights

• Byakuya Kuchiki vs. Sode no Shirayuki (concluded)
• Renji Abarai & Zabimaru vs. Byakuya Kuchiki & Senbonzakura (concluded)

Powers and Techniques Used

Kidō used:

• Hadō #4, Byakurai (白雷, Pale Lightning)
• Hadō #61, Rikujōkōrō (六杖光牢, Six Rods Prison of Light)
• Hadō #31, Shakkahō (赤火砲, Shot of Red Fire)
• Bakudō #4, Hainawa (這縄, Crawling Rope)

Techniques used:

• Tsugi no mai, Hakuren (次の舞・白漣, Next Dance, White Ripple)
• Some no mai, Tsukishiro (初の舞・月白, First Dance, White Moon)
• Utsusemi (空蝉, Cicada)
• Hikotsu Taihō (狒骨大砲, Baboon Bone Cannon)

Zanpakutō released:

Shikai:

• Suzumebachi (雀蜂, Hornet)
• Tenken (天譴, Heavenly Punishment)
• Hōzukimaru (鬼灯丸, Demon Light)
• Ruri'iro Kujaku (瑠璃色孔雀, Azure Peacock)
• Wabisuke (侘助, Miserable Man)
• Kazeshini (風死, Wind Death)
• Sode no Shirayuki (袖白雪, Sleeve of the White Snow)
• Zabimaru (蛇尾丸, Snake Tail)
• Senbonzakura (千本桜, Thousand Cherry Blossoms)

Bankai:

• Hihiō Zabimaru (狒狒王蛇尾丸, Baboon King Snake Tail)
• Senbonzakura Kageyoshi (千本桜景厳, Vibrant Display of a Thousand Cherry Blossoms)

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