User blog comment:Northstar1012/Time to fill the ranks/@comment-1454424-20100618204803

Thanks Northstar1012 for altering the blog. As for the question of filling the position of the three captains, setting aside the Vizards (who are an ultra special case) - you have Renji, Ikkaku, Urahara and Yoruichi. Renji has only been a Vice-captain for about 4 months and somehow, I don't see either Byakuya or Kenpachi (his former captain) giving him a recommendation to given allow him to sit the captains exam. So he's out.

Ikkaku is not interested. So he's out. Which just leaves Urahara and Yoruichi. Both of them might return to the Gotei 13. Nothing says they can't. It's not like they have an inner hollow, which is the biggest mark against the Vizards. Then there is Hisagi, the only one of the current captain less lieutenants who has the title of "acting captain". Doesn't mean he has bankai but clearly there is greater trust placed in his ability to lead squad nine without a captain.

Lastly, it is unlikely any member of squad 0 would return to being Gotei 13 captains as that is effectively a demotion. Only way I see that happening is if Yamamoto is dead and gone forever. Then a squad 0 captain might return because no one currently is strong enough to be Captain-commander. But I think if Yamamoto is dead, either Unohana or Kyoraku would get the job.