Board Thread:General Discussion/@comment-27973159-20160406160730/@comment-1970092-20160408150513

Kaestal wrote: I personally think that Ichigo and friends will appear in front of the cranky old man while he is asleep, and upon placing his hand on one of Zangetsu's hilts the Zero Division will appear to protect the Soul King.

Ichigo will question why they are defending Yhwach, but they will merely say they are defending the Soul King as that is their duty.

That's almost exactly how I'd imagine Kubo reintroduces the Royal Guard. It would explain why their fight was off paneled, as he was saving it for this moment.

Question is: could Ichigo stand up to them? Everyone else is predisposed, or beat up. And unless Aizen (and maybe, HOPEFULLY, Jushiro) can find his way up their, no one else has the power to stand up to the Royal Guard~