User blog comment:GinIchimaru/The Zero Squad: Reality vs Speculation?/@comment-1393830-20100413014719

You bring up the point of defensive zanpakuto but I don't think this is true. If they are protecting the king then they to do more than defend, they need to be able to deal with the threat. Some of them must also have offensive zanpakuto in order to take out the threat. You're analogy to the secret service is not so great because while the secret service is not on the front lines, they are sharper than military officials. Military officials know how to fight, secret service can fight, sneak, disarm and capture. They are kept sharp at all times through constant practice and training. I see this as more of how the zero squad would be. More well rounded than the captains and their strength not coming just from sheer power but from their abilities and how they are able to defend