Things are coming clear in Bleach 599, so let's get to it!
Spoilers after the cut.
I'd wager that the first couple of pages of this chapter are a bit unexpected. Not the fact that Stern Ritter W (Weizol? Wisor?) bit the dust, but the introduction of the "elites".
I guess there truly is no hierarchy implied by the alphabetical organization of the Stern Ritter. Two of the elites are C & D, while the other two are M and X. Plus, Nakk le Varr claims to be the only one who rose above the others.
Either way, it looks like Shutara is in trouble. And now the rest of the Zero Division will have to get involved.
I think it's fascinating that Bach held back his strongest soldiers to take on the Royal Guard in Reioukyuu itself. Obviously, the first thing to do is compare his strategy to Aizen's. Aizen, however, failed miserably where Bach has succeeded tremendously. Not only are Bach's "elite" soldiers much more powerful, but he actually made it to Reioukyuu whereas Aizen didn't even get a chance.
So how does chapter 599 set up for things down the road?
Well, it seems pretty obvious that if Ichigo is going to save Reioukyuu. Or at least he'll end up there in order to fight Bach/Haschwald/Ishida. Who knows how long it'll take the makeshift cannon to get them there. Or what the rest of his team will do against these enemies that seem even more powerful than Espada.
As overrated as the Espada were, it took some very creative ass-pulling to take out the top 3. We're talking kidou manipulation that Ichigo's team does not possess (I don't think Yoruichi has the kind of skill that Ushouda has) and the shikai of the most powerful living shinigami (Kyouraku, who is now captain-commander).
So now Ichigo and his team will be faced (most likely) with these four Stern Ritter, unless a couple of them get taken out by other members of the Zero Division, a conclusion I wouldn't put too much stock in.
And then Bach remains after that. It should be an exciting couple of months as we head toward the end of 2014.
