Maybe an extra note should be included in step 3:
They aquire a healer. (Hanataro/Nel)
I was wondering how the group would handle these fights without a healer, but apparently Nel has healing drool.

The power of the other characters besides Ichigo kinda worries me.
Ichigo only had a hard time with his sub-boss because he refused to use bankai. The others seem to have their hands full with their opponents. The only one I expect to put up a good fight until the end is Rukia. I really expect her to whip out a bankai.

Chad only seems to be good at taking hits. I wish he would become awesome

Judging from the recent eps, I think step 10 is coming really fast.

As for the Ichigo powerup in step 11/12:
I predict a full Hollow Ichigo. Step 11 would be that he masters his Vizard powers, and 12 the full transformation.

I can only HOPE that this all doesn't happen, because this series deserves more then this.