Thread:LordNoodleXIV/@comment-22439-20150903215105/@comment-1493741-20150910083755

Shikai is a requirement for a Shinigami to be a Seated Officer, and their seat decides their strength, generally speaking. That said, it is a military rank and the character could likely be unseated if he's too weak to make the cut, or if other extenuating circumstances prevent him from taking up the seat (i.e: military infraction).