Author's Note: Hey everyone, things are moving fast with this arc, we're already half way through it. Hope you all enjoy this chapter.
"Juha Bach"
"Shiro"
"Aka"
"Ao"
"P.O.V."
'Thought'
"Attacks"
Shikai/Bankai
Chapter 14: Assault on Trip at Sacred Ground!
{Opening Theme: "*~Asterisk~" by ORANGE RANGE}
[July 15, 2001]
"Good evening, everyone! This week's episode of Spirit Hunter is brought to you live from an abandoned hospital in the town of Karakura, where the tortured screams of the dead can be heard echoing
through the hall." A male announcer says standing on a make shift stag next to an old, run down hospital.
"Who knows what horrifying sights we'll witness here this evening." A female announcer says looking out into the audience that contains Orihime, Tatsuki, Chad, Keigo, Mizuiro, Isshin, Karin, Yuzu, and Ichigo.
"And now, folks, let's get in a warm welcome. This century's premier spiritualist and messenger from hell, Mr. Don Kanonji." The male announcer says gesturing to the incoming helicopter causing the audience to cheer and applaud as a man jumps from it while still in the air.
"The spirits are always with you." The man known as Don Kanonji says wearing a flashy outfit with a cape that he uses to free fall in the air a little before deploying a large parachute allowing him to fall to the ground safely.
'How the hell did I wind up here?' Ichigo wonders with a deadpan look on his face as he thought back to the other day.
[Flashback]
[July 7, 2001]
It was a regular day a Karakura High School, with the defeat of Grand Fisher a few weeks and Ichigo revealing most of his secrets to Rukia, things were pretty much the same as Ichigo enters his classroom to find Orihime stand at the entrance waiting for him.
"Bohahaha." Orihime laughs with her arms crossed over her chest.
"Mm?" Ichigo asks through his closed mouth as he stares at her surprised by what she did.
"Huh? Ichigo, you barely reacted at all." Orihime says disappointed by the react her crush gave her instead of reciprocating with her. "Don't you even know where it's from?" She asks.
"Uh,
Spirit Hunter?" Ichigo asks reluctantly.
"Yeah, isn't that show just the best?" Orihime asks once again in a cheerful mood. "Come on then, Ichigo. Join in with me." She says and attempts to do the laugh and pose again.
"Banzai!" Tatsuki shouts coming up behind her and grabs Orihime's arms, lifting them above her head, stopping her from doing the pose.
"Hmm?" Orihime asks blinking a few times as she sees her best friend was the one who stopped her. "Oh, hey, Tatsuki, what's the matter?" She asks.
"Let's go already, you can bohahaha with me. Now mow!" Tatsuki says gently but firmly pushing her friend away.
"Huh?" Orihime asks in confusion as they leave a perplexed Ichigo standing in the doorway to the classroom.
"Yo, Ichigo. Keigo here." Keigo says standing behind Ichigo doing the Spirit Hunter pose.
"Huh?" Ichigo asks turning around.
"And Mizuiro!" Mizuiro says doing the pose too.
"Hmm." Chad says also doing the pose.
"Bohahaha." Keigo and Mizuiro preform the laugh while Chad just does the pose.
"Mm. Meh." Ichigo groans and lets out a sigh before heading into the classroom and stands at the open window.
"What do you mean, you're not going? It's the best TV show in Japan. And it's gonna be broadcasting
live from Karakura. You live in this town, dude. You'd have to be dead to miss it." Keigo says not understand Ichigo's dislike for the show.
"Guess that makes me a zombie. Get lost." Ichigo says shooing his annoying friend away.
"Uh! But I already went to the trouble of asking Rukia to go." Keigo says gesturing to the Substitute Shinigami's partner standing behind them.
"Hi, Ichigo." Rukia says performing a curtsy to her partner with her little act.
"Huh?" Ichigo asks sweating dropping from her little angel act she fools everyone with.
"Come on, Rukia. Mua-ha-ha-ha." Keigo says doing the pose but with his version of the laugh.
"No. I'd be too embarrassed to do it." Rukia says innocently with her left hand on her check.
"Oh, please, Rukia? Do it. Mua-ha-ha-ha." Keigo pleads doing the laugh again.
'Geez. She's becoming quite the little actress, isn't she?' Ichigo thought with an annoyed look on his face as he watches Rukia giggle in response to Keigo's pleads.
[End Flashback]
Ichigo has the same annoyed look on his face from that day as the crowd continues to cheer around him.
"Don, Don, Don, Ji! Don, Don, Don, Ji!" The crowd chants as Don Kanonji stands on stage to address the crowd.
"And how is everyone tonight? Hold on to your seats, my babies. It's time again to hear the spirits cry." Don Kanonji says making the audience applaud him loudly.
"So tell us, what do you think of this place? Well?" The female announcer asks.
"The stench of the spirit world hangs in the air around us. I'd have to say that…" Don Kanonji begins to say.
"Smells like bad spirits!" The crowd shouts in a chanting tone.
"Bohahaha!" Don Kanonji laughs doing his signature pose.
"Bohahaha!" The crowd laughs with him doing the pose as well as smoke fills the air around Don Kanonji, obscuring him from the view of the crowd.
"And we're cutting to commercial." A TV announcer says.
'Man, I hate stupid shows about spirits.' Ichigo thought letting out a sigh.
"This way, everyone. We're about to get started. Make your way to the spirit purification location." A TV crew member says directing the crowd.
"Ichigo?" Orihime says running up to him from behind.
"Hmm?" Ichigo asks turning around to look at her.
"I'm sorry for the other day." Orihime apologizes.
"What do you mean?" Ichigo asks in confusion.
"It's just that Tatsuki was telling me you really can't stand TV shows like this one. And I had no idea." Orihime explains.
"That's cool. It's really no big deal." Ichigo assures her as he looks over at Keigo and Mizuiro.
"Bohahaha." Keigo and Mizuiro laugh while doing to pose in unison while facing in Ichigo's direction.
"Look at those two. They know it drives me nuts, but they do it anyway." Ichigo says sweat dropping with an annoyed look on his face.
"But you still showed up. Why is that?" Orihime asks curiously.
"Oh. Yeah, well my dad and my little sister go out of their minds for Spirit Hunter." Ichigo says pointing in the direction of his family as they see Isshin and Yuzu also doing Don Kanonji's signature laugh and pose while Karin just stares at them.
"And that's why you're here?" Orihime asks.
"Guess so." Ichigo says.
"Bohahaha." Isshin and Yuzu's laughter is heard.
"I couldn't just let them come alone, you know." Ichigo tells her, still keeping an eye on his family.
"Wow, you've got such a good heart, Ichigo." Orihime says with closed eyes and a smile on her face.
"Why, isn't that normal?" Ichigo asks in a confused tone.
"Uh." Orihime mutters as she stares up at her crush while he looks back at her. "Oh, yeah. That's normal. Mm-hmm. Very normal." She says leaving a silence between them until a voice calls out.
"Hey, Orihime, we're gonna head on without you." Tatsuki says from within the crowd as she raises her hand for her friend to see where she was.
"Oh, hey! Hold on, Tatsuki, wait up! See you." Orihime says to Ichigo as she runs off to join her friend.
'Yeah, sure. I'm normal. But what about the rest of these weirdos? What's their excuse?' Ichigo wonders before sensing a familiar Reiryoku coming up next to him.
"Ichigo, what's wrong?" Rukia asks standing next to her partner as he turns to look at her. "Bohahaha." She laughs doing the pose that annoys him so much.
'You too?' Ichigo thought before bopping her on the head with his fist. "Don't ever do that again." He warns her.
"Ow. You truly are like Kaien, has anyone ever told you that?" Rukia asks with tears in the corner of her eyes as she nurses the bump on her head like the numerous times she did after getting hit by her former Lieutenant.
"Yeah. My dad says not only do I look like my cousin but in some ways I act like him to." Ichigo says placing his hand on her head and helps sooth the pain a little making her blush at the warmth emitting from him.
'It's still hard to believe that Ichigo and his family are part of the Shiba Clan's Branch family but that would explain why Ichigo and Kaien look so much alike when I first meet him.' Rukia thought remembering the secrets Ichigo revealed to her the other day. "Look Ichigo, I get that this isn't your kind of thing but as long as you're here, you might as well try and have fun." She says with a smile.
"I guess. I just can't believe that people are actually willing to follow this guy's lead and do that stupid laugh and pose all the time." Ichigo says with his hands in his pockets.
"Between all of your schoolwork and your duties as a Shinigami, you must be exhausted. And there will be harder battles on the road ahead. Use tonight to enjoy yourself a little." Rukia advises.
"What? Are you-" Ichigo begins to ask.
"By the way, tell me. What is this festival all about?" Rukia asks bluntly.
"You mean you showed up here without even knowing?" Ichigo asks much to his chagrin before telling her what the show was about. "Seriously, you think there'd really be spirits in an old, deserted hospital
like this one?" He asks taking a good look at the run down hospital.
"What are you getting at?" Rukia asks her partner.
"I mean, if they had been here, you Shinigamis would have helped them cross over already, right?" Ichigo asks.
"Well, not necessarily. Jibakurei (Earth-bound Spirit) are often tied to places like this. Jibakurei spirits are ghosts that dwell within the Earth, so it's very rare that Shinigamis are able to pinpoint their location. There's only one reason a Jibakurei would reveal itself…" Rukia explains.
"Get more lights. Hurry!" A crew member shouts to another crew member.
"Okay." The crew member says.
"…when it notices humans are invading its territory." Rukia says.
The crew member approaches the hospital with a large spotlight on a tripod and steps onto the area in front of the steps to the front door, causing a Hollow-like howl to emanate from within the hospital.
"Huh?" Chad asks going wide eyed.
"What's the matter, Chad?" Mizuiro asks.
"Do you guys hear anything?" Chad asks his friends.
"Huh? Come on, Chad, cut it out. You're giving me the creeps." Keigo says.
"It's just your imagination." Mizuiro tells him
Chad continues to hear the Hollow-like howl and shifts his gaze over to Ichigo, who looks at him and nods confirming his suspicions.
"Yeah, right. My imagination." Chad says acting like they were right even though he knew otherwise.
"Oh, boy. I never should have come out here with you guys." Karin says with a grim look on her face along with Yuzu.
"Don't worry, girls. It's just a Jibakurei attempting to defend its territory." Isshin assures his daughters placing comforting hands on their shoulders. "As long as we don't get near the hospital, it shouldn't bother us." He says.
The Hollow-like howl continues and even Orihime and Tatsuki hear it as they look at each other in concern.
"That's the cry of a Jibakurei. So there is one here." Rukia says.
"Wait a sec, how do you know that sound's not a Hollow?" Ichigo asks wanting to be absolutely sure as the howling continued.
"As you know there are certain paths along which Hollows come into being." Rukia says as the spirit of a young man with short spiky dark hair and sideburns wearing a long-sleeved pink T-shirt appears with chains surrounding him. "One path is when a Jibakurei, with its fierce attachment to the world, is left alone and becomes a Hollow, much like this spirit here." She explains.
"So then he's a-" Ichigo begins to say.
"A Plus on the verge of becoming a Hollow. A Demi-Hollow." Rukia finishes for him as the Jibakurei continues to scream while fully manifesting.
"Yeah, well he sure feels like a Hollow to me. Except that he doesn't have a mask and the hole in his chest hasn't opened all the way." Ichigo notes taking in the appearance of the Jibakurei.
"The hole in a Hollow's chest shows that the heart has been lost, leaving nothing but raw instinct. The white skull-shape mask is all that shields those bared instincts from the outside world. Neither are necessary if the heart is still intact." Rukia says as she begins drawing on her sketch board. "Upon death, the chain of fate is severed from the body. Usually, the spirit waits for a Shinigami's guidance. But if they have regrets in this world, they become bound to the source of their pain." She says.
"Still with the interesting and cute drawings." Ichigo says with a sweat drop as he stares at her bunny drawings.
"Huh?" Rukia asks as a tick mark forms on her forehead but also forms a blush when she registered that he commented her drawings as cute. "So that means this Demi-Hollow's heart is chained to the hospital." She says as her face becomes serious again.
"This hospital belongs to me! I'm not giving it up for anyone! Don't even think about trying to come in here! I'm going to be filthy rich in this place…" The Demi-Hollow shouts making Ichigo and Rukia groan in disgust at his greed.
"I so want to kill this dumbass." Ichigo growls. "I'm sure the Soul Society doesn't need someone like him going around shouting these things." He says.
"I agree but that's not for us to decide." Rukia says.
"Coming back from commercial." The TV announcer says as the light turn back on.
"Oh! I think the show is about to get started." Rukia says with enthusiasm making Ichigo sigh as the crowd resumes cheering.
"The spirits are always with you. Bohahaha!" Don Kanonji laughs doing the pose once again.
"Bohahaha!" Rukia laughs doing the pose with the rest of the crowd.
"Hey, I told you to not do that around me!" Ichigo shouts at her.
"Don't worry. It takes months for a spirit to transform into a Hollow." Rukia says looking over her shoulder but her eyes widen which confuses Ichigo.
He then felt tugging on his shirt sleeve as he looks down and sees Ao stand beside him with her arms crossed in the form of Don Kanonji's pose.
"Don't you dare start, Ao." Ichigo whispers in a loud tone.
Ao doesn't say anything as she looks up at her master with puppy dog eyes making Ichigo sigh as he smiles at her.
"Alright. You can stay and watch the show with us. Besides, I can never say "No" to that face." Ichigo says patting and rubbing her head making the Zanpakutō spirit smile as they walk over to Rukia.
'That must be his Zanpakutō spirit or at least one of them since he has a dual Zanpakutō.' Rukia thought taking in the spirit's appearance. 'But if Ichigo can manifest her, that must mean he's achieved Bankai?' She wonders since Ichigo never told her that much.
"Now then, the time has come once again for Don Kanonji to take the stage." The male announcer says standing next to Don Kanonji and the female announcer.
"You can feel the excitement in the air tonight." The female announcer says.
"We don't want the spirit to become agitated with this many people around. We'll do the Konsō after the show." Rukia says.
"Agreed, especially since spirits go through so much pain when they transform into Hollows." Ichigo says remembering the first time he used Resurrección.
"Exactly. They fill the night with terrible screaming. Besides, does it look like that Demi-Hollow is suffering to you?" Rukia asks as they turn their attention back to the show.
"Huh? And who the hell are you?" The Demi-Hollow asks as Don Kanonji inspects him up close. "You think you can come in here and defile my hospital? You've got some nerve, buddy. And what's with the crazy frigging hat?" He asks.
"My guess is no." Ichigo says but feels a slight spike in Reiryoku as the air becomes colder and knows that Ao is getting annoyed with this Jibakurei and sees her blade of Getsu no Ikari's (Moon's Wrath) Shikai starting to form in her right hand. 'Calm down Ao.' He says placing his comforting hand on her head.
"He's so annoying." Ao says calming down from her master's touch as the sword disappears.
"There, you see? Unless someone deliberately messes with that opening in his chest, he's still got another six months before he becomes a Hollow.
Suddenly, Don Kanonji jams the end of his Super Spirits Stick into the hole of the Jibakurei, who begins screaming in pain as Ichigo, Ao, Rukia, Chad, Isshin, Karin and Yuzu watch in shock.
"Huh?/Huh?" They all at the same time as they listen to the Jibakurei continue screaming.
"All right, let's send you over to the other side, baby." Don Kanonji says pushing the Super Spirits Stick further into the Jibakurei.
"Wow! There it is, the Super Spirit gained an unusual move for him this early in the game." The male announcer says as the crowd cheers though they are unable to see what was truly happening.
"What the hell does he think he's doing?" Ichigo asks with an angry look on his face.
"The fool! All he's doing is speeding up the creation of a Hollow." Rukia says also with an angry look on her face as they hear the Jibakurei continue to scream in pain.
"Oh, yeah!" Don Kanonji yells as he chants words fervently. "Get gone!" He shouts.
As the Jibakurei continues to howl in agony and begins to let out a Hollow's roar, Don Kanonji chants fervently. Suddenly, Ichigo leaps over the rope barricade in front of the crowd and runs toward Don Kanonji.
"Come on, knock it off!" Ichigo yells continuing his advance.
"Hey, who's that guy?" A crew member asks.
"Security, do your job!" Another crew member shouts waving security over.
"Mm?" Ichigo asks seeing shadows over him. "Whoa!" He yelps as he is tackled to the ground by four security guards.
"Over here, we've got to get you out of your body." Rukia shouts donning her Gokon Tekkō.
"Get her!" Several more members of the security team restrain her just like Ichigo.
"Let go of me." Ichigo demands as Ao watches her master unable to truly help him.
The Jibakurei continues to scream in extreme pain, visibly unnerving Orihime, the Kurosaki Shibas, and Chad, who was about to go and assist his best friend but a hand on his shoulder halts him. Suddenly, his chains start breaking one by one, visible shocking those that knew what was happeneing.
"No!" Rukia yells still being retrained.
"Get your hands off of me!" Ichigo shouts struggling to get free when suddenly a familiar cane pushes Ichigo from his body sending him flying forward but Ichigo quickly regains himself as he uses his hands and front flips to land on his feet. "Who did that?" He demands as he looks behind him and sees Kisuke, Tessai, with Chad next to him reveal he was the one who halted Chad from rushing in.
"Hello." Kisuke says with his open fan.
"Kisuke?" Ichigo asks confused by his presents here as Ao rushes to her masters side.
"Don't just stand there like a lump. Get to work already." Kisuke says. "Unless you want me to tell Yoruichi about this little event." He says with a smirk.
"Right." Ichigo says sweating rapidly thinking of what Yoruichi would do to him if she learned he got caught so easily. "Ao, time to go back home." He tells her making her nod in response as she disappears from sight, returning to Ichigo's inner world.
"Hey, what's wrong?" A security member asks Ichigo's lifeless Gigai.
"What the hell are you doing here?" Rukia asks after being freed.
"Whatever do you mean?" Kisuke asks in an innocent tone.
"Out of the way. I'll take care of this." Tessai says as he pushes the security team away and slings Ichigo's Gigai over his shoulder.
"Stop it!" Ichigo says rushing towards Don Kanonji.
"Huh?" Don Kanonji asks, surprised by his sudden appearance as Ichigo separates him from the Jibakurei and leading the crowd to see Don Kanonji sent flying backwards.
"Holy moly, Don Kanonji was just thrown through the air." The male announcer says.
"What's wrong with you, kid?" Don Kanonji asks raising his fist in frustration.
"Well, then, I guess you can see me too." Ichigo says with his arms crossed.
"Of course I can. I'm the century's premiere spiritualist. Oh, wait, I get it. You're dead, but you're a fan, aren't you?" Don Kanonji asks but then feels something cold and sharp against his throat as he looks and sees Ichigo had one of Getsu no Ikari's (Moon's Wrath) blades drawn and pointed at his neck.
"Don't make me kill you." Ichigo says with a dark and irritated look on his face.
Upon hearing a loud cracking sound from behind him, Ichigo turns to see the body of the Jibakurei cracking.
"Don't tell me, am I too late?" Ichigo asks himself.
Shining brightly, the Jibakurei suddenly shatters, leaving a cloud of smoke as a stunned Ichigo expresses his belief that the Jibakurei has disappeared.
'He's gone.' Ichigo thought.
"But he'll be back, Ichigo." Aka says to her master appearing in her transparent form on Ichigo's left that only he is able to see.
"Better be ready." Ao says reappearing on Ichigo's right in her transparent form as well.
"Yeah! Mission accomplished, baby!" Don Kanonji shouts happily making the crowd cheer.
"Are you kidding?" Ichigo asks as he and his girls sweat drop at the man's cluelessness.
"Another successful soul purification!" The male announcer shouts.
"No." Rukia says realizes that the Jibakurei did not disappear and opens her Denreishinki. 'The moment a Demi-Hollow becomes a Hollow, it disperses and reforms as a Hollow elsewhere. And if its heart was bound to something here in this hospital-' She thought as her Denreishinki scans the area before looking up in shock at the moon, which is obscured by a bright orb of light that begins to move toward the roof of the hospital.
"Don, Don, Don, Ji! Don, Don, Don, Ji! Don, Don, Don, Ji! Don, Don, Don, Ji!" The crowd continues to cheer for the man unaware of what was about to happen.
"Yeah! Thank you!" Don Kanonji shouts gratefully.
"Look out, Ichigo! Above you!" Rukia shouts to her partner.
This caused Ichigo, his Zanpakutō Spirits, Don Kanonji, and everyone else who could truly see what was going on to look at the roof of the hospital, where the orb of light begins drawing green Reishi from the surroundings that proceeds to form a Hollow's body from the limbs up. The body takes the form of a medium-sized, bipedal green Hollow with its arms being long and thin, resembling bones with a spherical joint attaching each forearm to its respective upper arm encircled by two black streaks, with large, humanoid hands, while its legs are thick and muscular at the haunches before tapering down to normal-sized feet. Its crotch is covered by two black marks encircling its thighs and a third running up its chest, where it disappears under a layered purple carapace that rises up behind the Hollow's head. At its neck, the head of the Jibakurei pops out of the neck stump and screams before emitting a white substance that forms into a mask that resembles the face of a frog that has two long extensions coming out of the sides, resembling pigtails, and yellow eyes.
"What is it?" Don Kanonji asks.
"A Hollow. I hope you're ready." Ichigo tells him as he places his left hand on Getsu no Ikari's (Moon's Wrath) other sword ready to draw it.
"Oh, I feel it." Don Kanonji says making Ichigo pause in his action. "I feel something that reeks with the stench of a super dangerous spirit. Now I understand, you're that other spirit's evil Lord, and you've come here seeking vengeance." He says dramatically.
"Nice try, jackass." Ichigo says in irritation.
"I'm going to kill him. I swear to God." Ao says with an annoyed look on her face as she once again manifests her Shikai blade.
"Easy, little sister." Aka says wrapping her arms around her to prevent Ao from doing anything reckless.
"Oh, the pain. Must devour!" The Demi-Hollow says drooling promoting Ichigo to move to protect Don Kanonji.
"Hold on." Don Kanonji says as he pushes Ichigo out of the way. "Run, boy." He tells the Shinigami.
"Huh?" Ichigo asks in confusion.
"Come on, you bad spirit. Don Kanonji, the premiere spiritualist of the century, is ready!" Don Kanonji proclaims with his Super Spirits Stick held out horizontally in front of him.
"Are you?" The Demi-Hollow asks he as runs down the side of the hospital toward Don Kanonji.
"What are you doing?" Ichigo asks as he rushes forward, while Aka and Ao return to his inner world, as he jumps in delivering a powerful kick to the Hollow's face sending it to crash into the ground a few meters away.
"Kid, why didn't you run?" Don Kanonji asks.
"Hey, look, you're the one who should be running." Ichigo informs him.
"Huh? Me, run? What are you saying?" Don Kanonji asks. "Huh?" He asks noticing the Demi-Hollow getting back to his feet and roaring. "Huh? Oh, gee." He says as Ichigo draws his blades and assumes a battle stance.
As the Demi-Hollow charges in, Ichigo attempts to slash at it with one of his swords but misses when the Hollow ducked low and attempted to slash him back but Ichigo was just as quick and dodge the attack with nimble grace.
"Just as I thought. Wonderful. My student truly has come a long way. He's quick to adapt and isn't relying on one skill set. Ichigo was truly born to be a Shinigami." Kisuke says with a smile watching his student while the crowd cheers for Don Kanonji.
The Demi-Hollow charges toward a blocking Kanonji, whom Ichigo pulls out of the way right before the Demi-Hollow crashes into the wall behind where he was standing and begins struggling to free itself.
"A golden chance." Don Kanonji says with a laugh as he moves in to attack, only for Ichigo to grab him by the collar.
"Let's go." Ichigo says and pull him into the hospital through the glass front doors, which shatter.
"What could this mean, ladies and gentlemen? Don Kanonji…" The male announcer begins to say.
"Oh, I see, so that's how you plan on fighting this one, huh?" Kisuke says lower his hat over his eyes.
"The glass of the entrance has been shattered and whole walls have been destroyed. Folks, it appears that Don Kanonji must be battling against some unknown force." The male announcer says as a concerned Rukia tries to follow Ichigo into the hospital, Kisuke stops her.
"Don't worry about it. A Hollow of that level won't be a problem for Ichigo." Kisuke says.
"Especially now that the weight has been lifted off his shoulders about Masaki's death." Isshin says walking over to them with Karin and Yuzu following behind.
"Uh. But I, uh-" Rukia stutters.
"Best not to make too much of a fuss at the moment. Besides, it seems as Don Kanonji has a bit of power himself. Why don't we let them handle it?" Kisuke asks as Rukia reluctantly agrees looking over her shoulder at the broken glass door entrance.
Meanwhile, inside the hospital, Ichigo was dragging Don Kanonji down a hallway.
"Wait, why are we running away, kid?" Don Kanonji asks.
"Because I heard some idiot say we should run." Ichigo says.
"I know, but I was talking about you, kid, not me. Kanonji runs from no one." Don Kanonji says making Ichigo scoff. "Woah, huh?" He asks as he thrown headlong into a wall by Ichigo
"All right. Can you explain this one to me? I'm the one who actually knows what's going on. Why should I run away and you stay behind to fight?" Ichigo asks in a pissed off tone.
"Uh. Well I…I have to stay, because…because after all, I'm the hero." Don Kanonji says.
"Huh?" Ichigo asks completely stunned.
"Listen, little man. Do you have any idea the ratings my show pulls in for the network?" Don Kanonji asks.
"What the hell do I care?" Ichigo asks with an uninterested look.
"I'll tell you why you should. I've got 25 percent. One in every four households is watching my show." Don Kanonji says annoying Ichigo even further. "And many of those viewers are…" He begins to say taking a dramatic pause. "children." He says stunning Ichigo.
"Mm?" Ichigo asks with a peaked interest.
"Those children watch my adventures and their hearts are inspired. They see me stand up to evil spirits and learn what true courage is. So don't you get it? With all those kids out there watching my show, running isn't an option, understand?" Don Kanonji asks.
"Don Kanonji, you're right." Ichigo says in a stunned and awe tone.
"You bet I am. Now let's get out there and crush that monster." Don Kanonji says attempting to walk past Ichigo but is quickly grabbed by his jacket and thrown back to his original spot.
"Defeating it; yes. But out there; not an option." Ichigo says with his arms crossed. "Think, you idiot. You can't do that. Isn't it also a hero's job to protect the innocent from all harm?" He asks. "Well that's exactly what those people out there are; innocent bystanders. That thing is going after people with high levels of Reiryoku, like you and me. There's no question it's gonna come after us, but we need to fight it in here so no one in the audience will get hurt." He says.
"Kid…I am amazed. For you to have thought things through like that in the heat of battle." Don Kanonji says generally impressed by what Ichigo just said. "Kid." He begins to says but the sound the Demi-Hollow's roar makes Ichigo stop him.
"He's here." Ichigo says as the Demi-Hollow bursts out of the ground in front of them
"I'll devour you!" The Demi-Hollow shouts
"Let's do this!" Ichigo says drawing Zangetsu (Slaying Moon) from the sheath on his back but notices the tip scrap against the wall as it left a scratch mark. 'Not enough room. Guess there's no using wide swings for more powerful strikes. Good thing its not a broadsword or I'd be in big trouble.' He thought but suddenly the Demi-Hollow begins making a gurgling sound.
"Sticker Phlegm!" The Demi-Hollow shouts as he spits a powerful glue-like adhesive from his mouth that Ichigo tries to dodge but it winds up hitting his hand holding Zangetsu (Slaying Moon) and binds them together.
"What? What the hell is this? I can't frickin' get it off." Ichigo says struggling to break his hand free as the Demi-Hollow moves to bite him, prompting Ichigo to deliver an upward slash with his Zanpakutō through the Demi-Hollow's shoulder, effectively cutting it off. 'This adhesive is a pain but it helps me get a better grip on my sword in this narrow space.' He thought with a smirk as he watches the Demi-Hollow begins flailing around in pain and bursts through the wall of the hospital. "And where do you think you're going?" He asks. "Bakudō #4. Hainawa (Crawling Rope)!" He shouts firing the Kidō spell that wraps around the Demi-Hollow's neck but the pain its was in allowed him to still be about to move as it began clambering up the side to the roof with Ichigo holding on to the other end of the energy rope.
On the roof, Ichigo is thrown away from the Demi-Hollow and leaps back as the Demi-Hollow crashes into the area where he was standing. As Ichigo stares down the Demi-Hollow, Don Kanonji opens the door of the roof access point nearby.
"Hey, kid. Are you all right here?" Don Kanonji asks.
"You again?" Ichigo asks in disbelief but the Demi-Hollow leaps at the man. "Move it, Kanonji, run!" He yells attempting to intercept the Hollow but it shoves him into a railing with its remaining arm, which is dented by the impact, and uses Sticker Phlegm again to bind Ichigo to it. "Damn it." He curses struggling to free himself. "Huh?" He asks seeing the Demi-Hollow leap into the air. "Hey! Hold on!" He yells seeing the Hollow divebomb at him with an open mouth causing him to close his eyes and wait for the pain but it never does. "Huh?" He asks in confusion as he looks up and to see the Demi-Hollow had been stopped by Don Kanonji, who props open its mouth with his Super Spirits Stick. "Ka-Kanonji?" He asks in stunned shock.
"Are you hurt, kid?" Don Kanonji asks not looking at him.
"You can't handle him! Get the hell out of here!" Ichigo yells.
"No." Don Kanonji says sternly.
"Huh?" Ichigo asks as the Super Spirits Stick begins cracking.
"I know my own strength, and I know the difference between my enemy's powers and my own. I must say, you've made quite an impression on me today putting the safety of others first. That's great. You and I are two of a kind. What's say we be friends?" Don Kanonji asks looking his shoulder at Ichigo with a smile.
"Oh, uh, that's all right, really." Ichigo says declining his offer with a sweat drop.
{Play Number One by Hazel Fernandes}
"Whoa, Kan'onji-Style Final Super Attack: Kan'onball (Kan'onji-Style Final Super Attack: Kannon Temple Bullet)!" Don Kanonji yells as he focuses his power into the palm of his right hand and generates a tiny ball of blue Reiatsu.
Don Kanonji then proceeds to fire at Ichigo, who watches the ball of energy slowly travel toward him, once it touches the slime covering his chest, Ichigo is shocked when it explodes, shattering his restraints causing him to yell in surprise. At that moment, Don Kanonji's Super Spirits Stick shatters and the Demi-Hollow swats him aside.
"Kanonji!" Ichigo calls out to him.
'Even if this body is obliterated, so long as I can serve as a shield to the children of tomorrow, I shall carry no regrets for the life that I've lived.' Don Kanonji thought. "Good luck." He says giving Ichigo a thumbs up.
As Don Kanonji lands on the ground, the Demi-Hollow moves to attack him once more, only for Ichigo to appear beside it and delivers a windmill kick to the Hollow's side as it is sent crashing into ground hard on its back. Ichigo then leaps into the air and holds his left arm outward from his body.
"Bakudō #30. Shitotsu Sansen (Beak-Piercing Triple Beam)." Ichigo says generating a burst of crackling yellow energy in his left palm, as he then uses this energy to draw an inverted yellow triangle, which generates solidified energy in the shape of smaller triangles from its three points that are shot out fire and hit the Demi-Hollow, pinning it into the ground in three places in the shape of a perfect triangle and immobilizing. "Sorry, pal, but this is the end." He says now standing on the roof of the doorway roof access point as he raises Zangetsu above his head. "Cleave the Heavens and Pierce the Moon, Zangetsu (Slaying Moon)." He says transforming his Zanpakutō into its Shikai form and begins spinning it by the cloth creating a buzzsaw-like effect as he swings the cloth in a horizontal arc making the blade move across the ground and slices through the Demi-Hollow's mask.
"Well done." Don Kanonji says watching as Ichigo draws the spinning blade back into his hand as he deactivates it's Shikai and sheaths the sword onto his back. "That was great! Magnificent! Just magnificent! Yeah!" He shouts enthusiastically as he looks up to Ichigo, who sits atop the doorway access roof with his right resting on his knee while his left leg hangs over the edge.
"Kanonji." Ichigo says not as enthusiastic as the man. "Don't get too excited." He says as his hair covered his eyes.
"Huh? Why not, kid? You just defeated this monster. This is a time to rejoice." Don Kanonji says but sees Ichigo point behind him. "Huh?" He asks and turns around and is surprised to see the Demi-Hollow's body shimmer and dissipate. "Huh? What the-?" He begins to asks as the Hollow's body fades revealing the Jibakurei lying on the ground underneath. "Huh? It can't be. He's the one who-what?" He asks in confusion.
"He was a Hollow. With the chain linked to his soul broken, the hole in his chest opened. He became a monster devoid of conscience, a Hollow." Ichigo explains to the man, who caused the whole thing to begin with.
"That- Who? So then- No." Don Kanonji says thinking back to his earlier actions as he falls to his knees. "So if that's the case, what is it I've been doing all this time?" He asks as he starts to cry. "Oh, no. I'm so ashamed of myself." He says sobbing.
"Huh?" Ichigo asks hearing a sound start to grow over Don Kanonji's cries, the crowd's cheering from ground level. "Hey, come on. Quit your crying, hero, let's go." He tells him.
"Huh?" Don Kanonji asks in confusion.
"Everybody's waiting." Ichigo says gesturing to the edge of the roof as Don Kanonji makes his way over to the railing, where he is stunned to see the crowd cheering for him below. "What's wrong?" He asks standing behind him. "You'd better answer them. It's part of a hero's duties, isn't it?" He asks.
"Kid." Don Kanonji says looking at the Shinigami.
"All right, Don Kanonji's soul purification seems to be over." The male announcer says as he and the crowd see Don Kanonji walking to the railings edge.
"Mission accomplished! Bohahaha." Don Kanonji says doing his signature laugh and pose.
"Bohahaha!" The crowd mimics him.
'Ichigo.' Rukia thought with a smile.
"Kid, that was a magnificent battle. I stand in awe of your courage, and I'm amazed by your power. I hope you'll lend me that strength in the future." Don Kanonji says holding his hand out to him.
"Uh…" Ichigo stutters staring at the hand. "Yeah, sure, once in a while." He says accepting Don Kanonji's hand with his own.
"Thank you. From now on, you will be my number one pupil." Don Kanonji says horrifying Ichigo to his core as he can hear his spirits laughing at him.
"That's a demotion!" Ichigo yells in rage.
{Ending Theme: "Life is Like a Boat" by Rie Fu}
Author's Note: Hope you all enjoyed this chapter. It showed Ichigo's relationship with his Zanpakutō spirits as well as his fighting ability compared to the original episode. We are getting closer to the Soul Society arc, one of my personal favorites. Please let me know what you thought of this chapter as well as the previous ones.