User blog comment:Yoruichigoddessflashes/Ichigo, the Savior/@comment-1405841-20100805210723

Could be the buildup he's been rooting for ;>_> you don't know that...but I'm curious, what would the qualifications for "Zero Squad" be if Ukitake, Shunsui and various others haven't been considered yet...but Hikifune has? I don't think it's that crazy to assume new characters up and kick his ass, it would certainly be a change for Kubo. Besides, he has an entire huge arc coming up for Ichigo to prove himself...to do it now would be alittle farfetched...

I DO believe he has the potential to become the strongest character in the series, just not yet.