User blog comment:Xilinoc/Ch. 562 - THE VILLAIN 2 (Mask De Masculine is a Mexican luchador in a German army)/@comment-2120712-20131222214011/@comment-11051098-20131223005854

Äs doesn't possess Byakuya's Bankai anymore. When the 3 other Ritters lost their stolen Bankais as effect of the Shin'eiyaku pills, Äs was shown looking up into the air as Byakuya's Bankai flew upwards and returned to him.

Also, Chôjirô Sasakibe was a lieutenant, but he was on captain level, stated by Byakuya during his funeral.