User blog comment:GinIchimaru/The Zero Squad: Reality vs Speculation?/@comment-44061-20100413013531

Im with you on this topic Gin and if we are talking logic we have to address the protection of the King is important. While he does not directly rule Soul Society his position holds some great significant importance beyond being a ceremonial figurehead. As such he has the Royal Guard. While they are made up of former captains we should not forget they are for all purposes bodyguards. Whatever the ranking system that would call for I doubt it would be as complex as the Gotei 13 and there is likely not as many. The reason for this is that even with the Gotei 13 (least we forget the Kido Captain and Commander in chief of the special forces, if not for soifon holding the latter position) the captains are the true power of Soul Society as was stated by the captain-commander. Together they are supposed to be unstoppable now, if for all purposes the Captain-Commander is the most powerful of all them there are 12 captain-level fighters of varying power. Now thats give or take 13 to 14 or 15 captain level people protecting the Bleach universe equivalent of Heaven but not just that. They protect the very balance of the world (without which the end of existence would take place). The numbers game comes up with a logical scenario. You have a number of generals with many soldiers under them to protect a country and the leader of that country have their specialized bodyguard. Those bodyguard will logically number less then the military as they have less to protect. So if we go on 13 captains it could mean that the Zero Division may have 7 or 9 people at most. Who knows. Also as Gin mentions power level could really be anywhere and as bodyguards they maybe skilled and likely their skills maybe purely defensive as the reason for being picked as bodyguards. But for certain they likely aren't heavy hitters as thats a waste of power for a job that would require little or no action. I have no doubt they would have to be formidable as former captains. I think the fans hype up the position too much on little to no evidence when logically they couldn't be navy seals but more like secret service. While secret service is good and may possess training from various law enforcement or military backgrounds they dont develop anymore like the guys on the front lines as Gin mentions with Yoruichi. If Hikifune is the last captain promoted to the division she is only as good as she was 110 years ago. Those already there are probably even more rusty then that. Once again they could all have purely defensive zanpakuto, hence perfect for the job.