Casual Soul Realm Assault Trip!

Assault on Trip at Sacred Ground! is the tenth episode of the Bleach anime.

Ichigo battles against a Hollow after going to Don Kanonji's show with the rest of his family.

Summary
In Karakura Town, at a condemned hospital, are large television set has been established with a large crowd watching as the broadcast announcer introduces them to the show, hinting that you can hear the screams of the angry spirits. He then announces the arrival of the host, Don Kanonji, who jumps down from above, leaping out of a helicopter that is hovering above, declaring that the "The Spirits are always with you". He glides towards the stage before a parachute and the television titles for the show appear.

At Karakura High School, Orihime Inoue greets Ichigo as he enters into the classroom with her arms crossed across her chest, bellowing a loud and awkward "Bwahahah!!". Ichigo's startled and perturbed expression tells her instantly that Ichigo is not "in" on the news. But Ichigo takes a guess at what the fuss is about, mumbling "Drop-in?", with a lack of enthusiasm. Orihime smiles, exclaiming what a great show it is and invites him to watch it with her. Tatsuki interrupts her excitement, pushing her away from Ichigo and insisting that she watch the show with her instead. As Ichigo observes still somewhat stunned, his friends approach him from behind. Chad, Keigo, and Mizuiro greet him in a similar fashion as Orihime had, leaving Ichigo completely dumbfounded. Later on, Ichigo finds himself in a vocal battle with Keigo over his plans not to attend the show, explaining how rare it is for the show to be filmed live in their own city. Ichigo stares out the class window, completely unconvinced. Asano then states that he has invited Rukia Kuchiki, almost as if a last resort. Ichigo stares over at Rukia, who greets him in her phony, high-school girl type of way. He watches disgusted by her improving performance as Keigo charms her into going to the show.

Before he knows it, Ichigo is also watching in disgust amongst the crowds at the live broadcast of "Drop-In Holy Ground". Elsewhere, Don Kanonji stands smugly on the stage. He declares that he will let everyone hear the whispers of the spirits. He can smell bad spirits all around the hospital and at once, the crowd choruses "SMELLS LIKE BAD SPIRITS!"; followed by Don's loud and rumbling "BWAHAHAHAH!!". The crowd follows his lead as if in an idiotic trance and Ichigo becomes annoyed. The stage fills with smoke and somewhere off-set a voice states the show is going to commercial. Ichigo then states that he hates ghost shows.

Back on set, stagehands direct the crowds to the "exorcism area". Orihime approaches Ichigo and apologizes for the other day, telling him that she didn't know he hated ghost shows. He insists he's cool with it anyway, pointing out Keigo and Mizuiro, who are completely aware that he hates ghost shows, yet still copy Kanoji's distinctive laugh. She then asks why he came to the show despite hating it. Ichigo explains that his dad, Isshin, and little sister, Yuzu, are big fans and he didn't want to be a drag by not going along with them. Orihime smiles at Ichigo's kindness, complimenting him. He's surprised, saying that he thinks his behavior is perfectly normal. Orihime is also surprised by his response and there is a subtle awkward moment between them. She then agrees faintly that it is normal and then goes off to regroup with Tatsuki. Ichigo continues his sulk in the crowds. From behind, Rukia asks Ichigo if anything is wrong. Ichigo turns to face her, only to find Rukia also performing Don Kanoji's signature pose and laugh.

Ichigo scowls at her and she approaches him inquisitively with her arms still locked in position. Ichigo insists he's not sulking. Rukia feels he must be tired from all the Shinigami work and schoolwork. She wants him to relax.

As they watch what's going on together, Ichigo ponders aloud if there are really spirits in the hospital. He asks Rukia whether the Shinigami would have put them to rest. She explains that they might not have, because the ghosts would have been earth-bound ghosts, which are usually absorbed into the ground. She states these types of spirits almost never show up on Soul Society's sensors. She further explains that there is only one reason for earth-bound ghosts to show themselves and that's when a Human enters their territory. At that same instant, a cameraman takes one wrong step closer onto the hospital grounds and a long cry is heard in the distance. Chad, Orihime, Tatsuki and Karin all pick up the sound of the deep wail. Rukia points out to Ichigo that the cry is from the earth-bound ghost. He asks her if it is the voice of a Hollow. She explains that this particular Hollow cry is the sound of an earth-bound ghost with a strong attachment to the world, degrading into a Hollow as it is neglected. They conclude that this ghost is a plus on its way to becoming a Hollow and is currently a Demi-Hollow.

Ichigo observes the ghost from afar, noting that it does not have the white mask or the large, open chest-hole of regular Hollows. Rukia tells him that the hole in a Hollow's chest is a mark that they have lost their heart and live purely on instinct. The white mask protects that instinct from the physical world. She also explains that when a person dies, their spiritual chains to the body are severed. However, those who have regrets in the world are chained down by the objects of those regrets. Rukia states that this ghosts heart is imprisoned within the hospital. The ghost begins yelling that the hospital is his and he will become rich.

The lights dim, and Rukia explains there's nothing to worry about, because it takes months and months for a ghost to become a Hollow. She explains that the ghost would be screaming and writhing in pain if they are about to turn into a Hollow, but the ghost in the hospital looked just fine. She also tells Ichigo that so long as the ghost doesn't receive any strange stimuli to the hole on his chest, it would take at least 6 months for the transformation. The brilliant Don Kanonji begins his exorcism, wielding a "Super Spirit Stick", which he plunges into the ghost's chest hole; causing him severe pain. Ichigo runs over to the set, yelling at Kanonji to stop as he is speeding up the transformation process; but he is tackled by security. Rukia is also tackled when she offers to change him into a Shinigami with her glove.

The ghost cries fiercely and the chains on him break. Suddenly, Ichigo's Shinigami form is expelled. Kisuke Urahara, who was responsible for releasing him, and Tessai show up; telling him to hurry up and stop the transformation. Ichigo darts in front of Don Kanonji, who is able to see him, telling him to stop. But the ghost is already crying in fury and smoke erupts everywhere. The ghost vanishes. The crowds cry in excitement, thinking that Don successfully expelled the spirit, but it reappears on the roof of the hospital as a full-fledged Hollow.

Don Kanonji pushes Ichigo out of the way, proclaiming that he will fend off the dangerous spirit, whom he thinks is the "boss" of the spirit he defeated which has come to seek revenge. Ichigo interferes and they both insist that the other run away. Ichigo continues to save Kanonji as the Hollow lunges after them. They disappear into the hospital, with Ichigo dragging Don by the collar. Kanonji explains that he cannot run away because of his fame, because one in every four people watch his show and little children learn lessons of courage. Ichigo keeps Don from fighting outside, not wanting to risk harming the spectators. The Hollow reappears from the hospital floor and Ichigo hauls out his Zanpakutō, only to get his giant sword stuck in the ceiling. He yanks it out, aware that the area is too crowded to swing his Zanpakutō effectively. The Hollow spits out green goo onto Ichigo's arms, sealing them and the sword handle together. Although Ichigo can't aim effectively because of it, he still manages to hit the shoulder of the Hollow.

It then drags him onto the roof of the hospital, where Ichigo is spat at with goo a second time and sealed to the roof fence. As the Hollow lunges at him ferociously, Ichigo is saved by the unpredictable Don Kanonji, who uses his Spirit Stick to keep the hungry Hollow's mouth pried open. The showman insists that he too has some power and he can understand the difference in power between himself and his enemies. He is inspired by Ichigo's consideration of others and summons his "Kanonji-ryuu Final Super Attack: Kanon ball". After a somewhat impressive show of light, a tiny, bumbling ball of energy slowly approaches the dubious Ichigo. The light then, much to Ichigo's bewildered surprise, lands on the green goo and makes it explode. During this time, the Hollow breaks Don's Spirit Stick in half and whacks him aside. Don feels his purpose in life is still achieved so long as he didn't run, teaching them what it means to be courageous. Ichigo takes advantage of his newfound freedom and attacks the Hollow. He slices it effectively down the middle of its white mask; defeating it in one blow.

Kanonji dances giddily around him, as he quickly recuperates, saying how great Ichigo is. But Ichigo watches the Hollow body with a serious expression, as the Hollow exterior crumbles away and reveals the earth-bound ghost that Kanonji had thought he expelled from earlier. Kanonji recognizes the ghost and is horrified. Ichigo explains what had happened, telling him how his actions provoked its advanced transformation into a Hollow. Don Kanonji is grieved by a lifetime of failures, because he had not understood what he had been doing. Ichigo tells him to go back to his earnest crowd and continue being the hero that he had prided himself on being. Don Kanonji thanks him for everything, for inspiring him with his strength, wit and bravery. The two shake hands and Kanonji promises to make Ichigo his number one pupil, an offer which Ichigo with a horrified look, calls a demotion.

Characters in Order of Appearance

 * 1) Orihime Inoue
 * 2) Ichigo Kurosaki
 * 3) Tatsuki Arisawa
 * 4) Keigo Asano
 * 5) Mizuiro Kojima
 * 6) Yasutora Sado
 * 7) Rukia Kuchiki
 * 8) Don Kanonji
 * 9) Karin Kurosaki
 * 10) Yuzu Kurosaki
 * 11) Isshin Kurosaki
 * 12) Fishbone D (flashback)
 * 13) Shrieker (flashback)
 * 14) Acidwire (flashback)
 * 15) Hexapodus (flashback)
 * 16) Kisuke Urahara
 * 17) Tessai Tsukabishi
 * 18) The Demi-Hollow

Fights

 * Ichigo Kurosaki & Don Kanonji vs. The Demi-Hollow (concluded)

Powers and Techniques Used
Other powers: