User blog comment:Xilinoc/Ch. 566 (not out yet, but dis gon b gud)/@comment-26420452-20140202184043/@comment-26420452-20140202191920

Kenpachi became a captain just because, without a functional Zanpakutō, he's as strong as a captain using Bankai.

Yamamoto's Ryūjin Jakka is similar in power to other captains' Bankai.

Even if there was no James, Renji wouldn't have killed Mask, just defeated him.

Rukia seemed to have had mastery over her Shikai for a long time. I'd love to see her defeat Äs Nödt without a Bankai, but the truth is it seems impossible.

Xilinoc, about Byakuya, of course he screamed scared, but I imagine him doing with his normal voice.