the title is the goal. and I am trying to pace him...kind of. while being mindful of the unofficial competition. I doubt there will be an actual competition unless someone else decides to contend for it. ultimately my confusion revolves around the masters and experts classification since its a part of getting him to that level. we've established that rank is based on power in skill. ok. and that, despite knowing the kido, should a non captain try a captain level kido it would be weak. that makes sense in most cases. But not if the shinigami is proficient. If i could blend the idea you and Zane put forth before about mastery with kurisa's id have a propostion. an expert in kido would be able to use one kido from "level" up with a power gap. a master would be able to use kido from the next level up efficiently. and higher level kido with a power-gap. so a Lieutenant who has mastered Kido would be able to use captain level kido with a power-gap...but it wouldnt be so pitiful. thats how i always saw it but since i never fully understood it, i stayed modest with kido levels. 

But how does that work with zanjutsu? if they master Zanjutsu as a 4th seat will their Ryodan be shitty? even though its really a simple kendo downswing?