Byakuya Kuchiki (Ash)

"What is to be done with them? A redundant question. These men are a threat to Soul Society. Your blades should face no hesitation as you cut them down."

- Byakuya Kuchiki to the Sixth Division.

Byakuya Kuchiki (朽木 白哉, Kuchiki Byakuya) is the current Captain of the Sixth Division in the Gotei 13 and one of the few surviving Captains from the Thousand Year Blood War between the Quincy and Shinigami. In addition to this, he is the 28th head of the. His current lieutenant is Takashi Sakuma, following the death of his previous lieutenant,.

As well as this, among the Captains, Byakuya acts as the overseer of the Captain Proficiency Test (隊首, taishu). This is to test those who deem themselves to be at the level of a Captain as a means to ensure that Soul Society's ranks are only filled with those that have the power to justify their claims and has been approved by the Captain-Commander, Shunsui Kyōraku.