Tatsuki's picture, and even having Ikkaku become related to Ichigo's other friends as early as post SS arc, pre HM arc, just sounds strikingly much as if it was Kubo's own idea, and not the fans, heck they even watch Ichigo in his shinigami form enter HM, the last major arc. It's especially suspicious when Tatsuki in the picture above seem to have been drawn insanely early Bleachs early developments.
Also on another matter, Ichigo seem to be building relations with the most recognized Noble, Byakuya, and the most distanced character to the Noble world, the barbarian Zaraki. Both seem to be getting a serious powerup, am I the only one seeing this really interesting contrast? Two really different characters, who even are rivals, with completely different backgrounds, supporting Ichigo in the coming struggles? I mean, it's really interesting, at least I find it to be so.
It almost smells like that it was the whole reason that both Byakuya and Zaraki did fall in the last invasion, in fact, they were the only two aside for Yami-Jii, who did actually fall/loose. If anything, this interesting contrast, makes me think that Byakuya is in the Royal Dimension for a very specific reason - to get stronger, like Zaraki is. The whole thing that Byakuya is a Noble, and the only Noble Captain who did fall in the invasion, makes it all the more relevant for Byakuya to go to the Royal Dimension, imo.
