Warning: Spoilers for Bleach: The Thousand-Year Blood War Episode 9It's been a rough time for the Soul Society in Bleach; the Quincy attack killed thousands of lower-ranked Soul Reapers, as well as their Head Captain and his lieutenant. Several of Bleach's captains were left without their Bankai, while others like Renji and Rukia were injured so badly that they had to be taken elsewhere to recuperate. Now, the Soul Society is finally starting to build back, and the first move was to appoint a new Head Captain.

As befitting his position as their leader, Head Captain Yamamoto set out to find and defeat the Quincy's leader Yhwach when the attack began. While he was able to kill two high-ranked Quincy, a deceitful trick left him exhausted and exposed, making him an easy kill for the real Yhwach. Ichigo, unfortunately, arrived too late to help Yamamoto, but he did keep Yhwach busy for long enough that the Quincy were forced to retreat. The Soul Reapers were left to lick their wounds and try to rally what remained of their forces before another attack could begin.

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In episode 9, Captain of Squad 8, Shunsui Kyoraku, is called before the Soul Society's governing body, known as the Central 46, where he is promoted to Head Captain, and as such, the Captain of Squad 1 as well. He requests to be allowed to keep his previous lieutenant, Nanao Ise, in addition to the top-ranked member of Squad 1, Genshiro Okikiba. Kyoraku is a good choice for Head Captain; when the other captains were assembled in the halls of the Seireitei and arguing over what to do next, it was Kyoraku who chided them for their behavior and got the more unruly captains back in line. Though he's not the oldest of the remaining captains, he is one of the most experienced, as Kyoraku knew Yamamoto back when he was still just a boy. Kyoraku's first act as Head Captain is to get permission for Kenpachi Zaraki to undergo some intensive training to develop his connection with his Zanpakuto.

Head Captain Kyoraku Must Lead Through A Crisis

Bleach-TYBW-Kyoraku

While being promoted to Head Captain is certainly an honor, the circumstances make it difficult for Kyoraku to take any pleasure in this. He seems surprised to have been chosen, but there really isn't another candidate better suited, since Ukitake's health is frail and Unohana (as leader of the healing squad) doesn't typically fight. Captain Kyoraku would often rather avoid a fight than engage in one, but that's a quality that makes him a better leader--someone like Zaraki, who's far too eager to fight, would only cause further problems were he in charge. Kyoraku also has a calm and relaxed nature that can put those under his leadership more at ease, another valuable trait.

Of course, having the traits to lead and actually leading are two different things, so it remains to be seen how Head Captain Kyoraku will shape the path forward in Bleach. If anyone can lead them out of this crisis, it has to be him.

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New Episodes of Bleach: The Thousand-Year Blood War are currently premiering on Mondays via Hulu.