User blog comment:Godisme/Hear.Fear.Here/@comment-955994-20120718154746/@comment-893506-20120718170826

Additionally, I find it hard to believe that character that underwent as much development and focus as Byakuya has been killed off without even using the fullest extent of his abilities. Most of the lieutenants, and some of the other captains I would understand, but not Byakuya.

I'm not convinced that Byakuya is dead yet, one way or another. Especially since Kubo wrote a couple of chapters ago that Izuru may not be dead, and let's face it, Izuru underwent much less development than Byakuya did, Killing him off would make more sense than killing off Byakuya.

Either way though, I'm wondering if we're going to see how his defeat will affect Rukia in whoever she's supposedly facing. Given how highly she regards Byakuya, my guess is she's not going to react well to his defeat.