The Test Of Time

Improvement Type

• Bankai
  
• Great Spiritual Pressure
  
• Mastered Spiritual Control
• Mastered Hakuda
  
• New Hakuda Ability: Mukyū Shunkō
  

Character Link: Kyoko Kusanagi

Reasoning: The chaos spread through the Soul Society continues to grow with each passing day after Hinaai-Soutaichou's death. So in response to that the five Gundanchou of the Onmitsukidō meet in order to figure out a way to return peace to the Soul Society, and be rid of the current Nibantai Taichou, Yuu Yashin. In order to do this, four of the five Gundanchou are taken to learn Bankai, and Kyo finds that she learns a lot more about herself along the way.

Thread Links: 
Hidden Judges: The five Gundanchou meet, their faces unknown to one another. The Uneitai Gundanchou, Zhi Mùbiāo, suggests a way to move forward as well as explaining the current situation, as to who should rightfully be the Soutaichou now. This continued with the other Gundanchou speaking their opinions, including Kyoko which are quickly shot down. Being the Nibantai Fukutaichou, she remains unsure as to how to proceed. But after some convincing she agrees to this as well as training for Bankai and as a result, leaves her post as the Fukutaichou of the Nibantai.  

Poisonous Resistance: Having tried once before, Kyoko now makes her second attempt at gaining Bankai. This time using a far quicker method, the young Shinigami is tested to her absolute limits, both mentally and physically. Despite this she manages to overcome those odds, and with ten minutes left to spare before the end of those three days, finally attains Bankai. 

• Day One: The first day starts off easily enough, Kyoko having to find her Zanpakuto Spirit - Dokuga as he hides within the Dojo's walls of her inner world. She soon finds that this isn't your simple game of cat and mouse. Becoming frustrated it takes a while for the young shinigami to realize all she needed to do was listen. Doing just that, and letting her own senses expand she soon finds something that was nearby. Finding what she had been looking for, Kyo found herself thrust back into her past. Re-becoming the small child that Siam had found after her family were tragically killed. Scenes from her past becoming almost real, Kyoko ends up almost re-watching the death of her mentor and father like figure. But through sheer determination and will power, ends up using a highly successful double incantation with kido. Not only destroying Siam's attacker, but gaining confidence and skill with her spiritual abilities. 
  
• Day Two: The following day started quickly, now without her weapon. Kyoko had to rely solely on her Hakuda and Hoho skills to reach her goal. Taking down anyone in her path. However after a while of doing so, soon coming to terms that she would have to fight her own family, as well as ones she held close to her heart. Her concentration fails her as she wonders if she can really hurt those closest to her, this only hinders her further she when she ends up hurt further as a result. However, pushing her own doubts aside as to if she could or not, Kyo continues forwards. Despite not liking herself for it, Kyoko takes out her family using Hakuda and quick bursts of Hoho. With one opponent left - her mentor. Once again seeing Siam again brings her doubts forward, and thus letting Kyo get her "butt seriously kicked". Now badly injured and her body protesting to continue, Kyoko ignores this, knowing this would likely be her final chance at trying to gain Bankai. Using Shunkō, the Shinigami pushes herself even further than before and comes out victorious. After this, Dokuga leaves Kyoko to reflect on the day's past. Her mind replaying back everything that had happened in the last two months, followed by an emotional reminder by Siam of how she still uses hatred to fuel some of her battles. Stating she doesn't want anyone else she cares for to be lost, her resolve becomes even stronger than before. Then leaving shortly after, she remains hopeful for the final day.
• Day Three: The final day proves to be the most challenging for Kyoko yet, now facing the one person she trusts above all others. Dokuga himself. The two start to engage in all out combat, Dokuga clearly toying with the Shinigami, yet Kyo still ending up badly hurt and in serious doubts about if she can even win this fight or not. Dokuga soon backing her into a corner, blade drawn with what appears to be the end for the white haired female. But once again a reminder from Siam spurs her on, remembering to trust her instincts and not to rush her fighting. This shows itself in a burst of Shunkō, which seems different than before, never-ending almost. Power flowing within her and rising from her soul, Kyoko launches and all out fight back. Seriously damaging the blade Dokuga held, almost shattering it entirely, and both outwitting and beating the Spirit in terms of speed. After such a time, Kyoko becoming victorious although worn out, just before returning to the real world. Dokuga reminds her not to push herself, and to go and rest. Little does she listen to this, once returning Kyoko then tests out her new Bankai. At first thinking Dokuga was messing with her, as nothing had happened saved for a Spiritual Pressure increase. Hakyoku no Dokuga then showing itself as Kyo's Spirit manifests within his new form. Telling Kyoko quite happily that she will get used to his power and slowly learn to control it over time, once again telling her to rest this time she agrees. A smile on the Shinigami's face as she then falls unconscious from her efforts.