I don't know what you mean by dead, it's just Kenpachi never really depends on his zanpakutou but his own brute strength. It's always there, but he just never really able to materialize/take form in Zaraki Kenpachi's heart since he's always were subdued unconsciously. after his fight with Ichigo, he did try to talk to it, but weren't able to. but I don't think that's mean his zanpakutou is dead/no longer there. It's takes a while to unleash their zanpakuto, you can't just do it so easily.
With that said, I just finished reading the latest chapter of Bleach with the several new characters. I wonder how Ichigo will get his powers back and their connections. or at least what they know about Isshin.
I'd always thought Isshin was a mysterious and interesting character. when I first learned that's he was a former shinigami, during the Grand Fischer fight. I was so excited. not only that, he's quite the strong character and even Aizen knows him, he got to be an important figure in Soul Society, rite?
I have a some thoughts about his past as well.
- Spoiler:
We all see that Isshin is as strong as a Captain Shinigami and he have a simliar zanpakuto to his son, Ichigo. I first thought that he not only he was a former captain, but once a member of the Zero Division, The Royal Guard. If you didn't know, the Royal Guard is made up of former Captain promoted to this level to protect the King and the Royal Palace. Being so, you could say that all members are stronger than any of the Captains in the Gotei 13. My guess is that Captain-Commander Yamamoto of the Gotei 13 is probably ranked within the top 10th seat if he was part of the royal guard.
The way Isshin is dress in his Shinigami robes seems to me how normal Royal guards would dress. Captain are recognized with their white haori with their division insignia displayed with a certain dignity and pride. So it would make sense that former captain would tying it like a sash/cast aside their robe as a symbol of their past.
I don't believe I'm the only one thinking this, as many would already thinking of the same thing, or even more. I'm just getting my opinion across. Isshin's past is more intriguing to me than the whole plot.
I also love to think how Tite Kubo comes up with this whole thing, I'm amazed at how detailed he is in creating Soul Society, the structure of the Seireitei , the Gotei 13, and the Central 46. how within the Gotei 13, there are these different divisions and different duties. It's all just so very detailistic and exciting to think of that world.
I also loved to compare the world of Bleach to the world of Naruto. not just the characters and roles, but it's superb detail to the societal structure, like the Country to the Village, the Ninja Academy, the Genin, Chuunin, Jonin, Kage, the ANBU, etc.
It's just all so fascinating to think of worlds like that. that 's one of the main reason why I love Japanese manga/anime, it's very detailed.
, Rossy Oliver the cute and fluffy 
, Rosa, and Pokey The Cute and Fluffy 
.clap. 
Tomomi!!!
