User blog comment:SakuraKarakura/Ch 396: Explanations, Proofs, and Theories/@comment-1932702-20100319082550

But also note that Isshin's tenure as a captain is not given. This means that he could have been Captain when Aizen was at SS. So Aizen may know him. Aizen is also known for using people as pawns. So, taking this and his love for long, twisted plots into consideration, the whole Gotei 13 may be part of Aizen's plan. Another point of speculation (this is just an opinion, nothing assumed for certain) : Remember how Muramasa manipulated Ichigo's power to break Yamamoto's barrier? Maybe Aizen has something similar planned.... OR, and this is really extreme...close to zero chances of reality: Maybe Aizen just has a taste for dramatics...and expects a *FINAL* showdown with Ichigo? Maybe, he, like all bad guys, likes to let his opponent become stronger ? Ofcourse, in other such situations, the bad guy loses...but in this case.... Also, what of the Zero Squad? Their power is supposed to be higher than that of the Gotei 13...so what if they get involved early? I still think that the Zero Squad will have a major role to play in training Ichigo to master his power.... Then, there remains the issue of Ichigo himself. I doubt Zangetsu's potential abilities are limited to the Getsuga Tensho...Ichigo could learn some new move...Or maybe learn how to fire a Cero like how his Hollow did vs. Ulquiorra... Nothing is certain. It all comes to how Kubo keeps us dancing till the music finally fades