I think Yama was a terrible leader. I've come to the conclusion that Yama's position was not one of choice by the c46 but one of situation - as he was present at the creation. I suspect he was the "one that was ignored" when the royal guard were assembled, so he was deviated to set up the rest.

During the Kenpachi awakening, and previously when explaining the origins of the Gotei (in relation to Yama), it was noted that the first person he went to was Unohana - the most dangerous criminal in all of Soul Society, to be his first captain. Yama valued power above all else - he was a brawler, a fighter, and for all intents and purposes unless Kubo comes out and gives us a different reason, I believe Yama is the reason for the majority of the deaths in the early years AND responsible for the entire 1,000 year blood war. He very admirably maintained restraint after realizing the danger he presented, and it seemed as though he was trying to repent - but he was doing so in a straight edge, I am the law, there is no other way kind of fashion.

I mean, he blatantly ignored his "most prized accomplished students" when Ukitake and Shunsui confronted him about the madness in the execution of Rukia. And when Hitsugaya started pointing out the weird things, Gin being all shady, and the extremely odd coincidence that Aizen is found murdered with a Zanpakutou right in the middle of an invasion by humans? The man was blind then.

Horrible at cleaning up his own messes too - there has been no indication of anyone more responsible for Yhwach than Yama himself.

Shunsui is showing himself to be great leader. Prior to such a position he showed pose, he embraced pacifism but not in the face of situations that required action in the face of a bad, negative, or outright evil decision. He didn't hesitate to stand up to Yama himself to stop the execution of Rukia. And during his battle against Chad - restraint when he knew that Chad's intents were not to hurt him, but only to save Rukia - a cause he himself was unable to disagree with.

Durin the Arrancar arc, when Yama pops up and just goes all out regardless of any danger it poses (and might I add, without even slightly thinking about whether or not Aizen has come up with some ridiculous manner to deal with the brash act-first-die-instead actions) just releases and acts like he's the boss.... and then goes and gets brushed to the sidelines because in the end he wasn't even able to stand up to his own insults at far weaker subordinates.

The man did some good things in training and setting up the school, but there was plenty of evidence that as a leader ... other than that very pride that has killed the Gotei time and time again - what has he given to the team, rather than the man?

I liked Kyoraku's statement, "You can beat me up later." It shows his character. I think others might have seen that as a challenge, but I'm holding fast to the idea that has always seemed to be present: Kyoraku, Ukitake, Urahara, Aizen, and Mayuri know secrets. Those secrets have every one of those people sitting calm, in some cases laughing. Urahara doesn't even flinch when Aizen shows his power - he merely comments "Oh, well, yea he probably got stronger in the Mugen." The second they gave him the order that he was captain commander, he didn't waste a single step. He made everyone aware, and went straight to the c46. There wasn't a hesitation, and every single choice he made was with full confidence and deliberate intent. He went there entirely for the very purpose that he is now showing. Aizen. And then Aizen's demeanor? Bringing the palace to them for the entrance?

There is a calm between very specific people in this chapter... like, an unspoken plan. Something is being arranged and (yet again) the core people are too prideful to even look at the picture - instead, they are arguing about the insult, while Aizen starts planning additions to his chair once he's done. Its not really all that different from past arcs, but, its a little more... obvious now - because even the people who are supposed to be informed (simply out of their position/squad's responsibility - aka ahem soi-fon ahem.