Chapter 6: Antithesis

How fortunate for you, Uryu Ishida. Fate is lending you a hand to prove yourself.

If you claim you're not a traitor, kill them right here, right now.

I see how you will respond, Uryu Ishida.

............

That's a sun key. It's issued to every member of the Stern Ritter.

Holding it up to metal sheets called Sun Gates allows you to travel between other Sun Gates located across Wahrwelt.

Use it to go back to the world of the living. I'm staying here and taking this place down.

What are you saying, Uryu?! Stop messin' around!

I figured you'd say that. That's why I came here without telling you guys.

You don't have to do this... All we gotta do is defeat Yhwach!

That's impossible! There is no way to defeat him!

Then why do YOU gotta do it?!

It's something only I can do!

............!!!

Now you know, so go. Before Haschwalth realizes what I'm doing...

I don't understand. Before I realize? When would that be? I told you.

I see how you will respond, Uryu Ishida.

The Sun Gate that leads to the world of the living has already been destroyed.

............!

Let's finish this, Uryu Ishida. Before His Majesty wakes up.

(Wait... "Before His Majesty wakes up." Of course...!)

Ichigo. You noticed his eyes are the same as Yhwach's, right?

His power is switched with Yhwach's only while Yhwach is asleep. Right now, Yhwach is neither omniscient nor omnipotent.

Yhwach is at the upper-most level of Wahrwelt. Head up there, Ichigo!

Uryu... So you're gonna stay here?

Stop talking and go!

Those won't be my last words.

............

You're not even pretending to chase them. You sure you don't have to?

Don't make me repeat myself. I see everything.

They will die. There is no reason to chase them.

Right, but...

The future can be changed, right?

What a surprise, Uryu Ishida.

You're almost a different person from earlier. You seem so...full of hope right now.

I see... Setting aside whether I'm full of hope or not...

The fact that you were surprised just now means you did not previously see me full of hope.

That power for you is far from almighty.

All of us walk on a balance. We weigh all we encounter in life on a balance. We sort out what is right and wrong for ourselves.

The sorted pieces of right and wrong piled on top of one another give us form. That is who we are.

I know you, too, have done the same, Uryu Ishida.

But I do not see your form. Who are you, Uryu Ishida?

Is it truly your desire to risk your life for those shallow humans?

Who am I...? How can I answer that?

That's something I'll finally find out when I defeat you people!

I see...

My Schrift is "B." "The Balance."

By allocating the misfortunes that occur in my domain to the fortunate, I maintain harmony in the world.

And all the misfortunes that occur to me can be received by this Freund Schild (Sacrifice Shield).

You do not stand a chance, Uryu Ishida.

Don't...you want to see...my Schrift?

Don't bother trying to prolong the inevitable. If it was enough to beat me, you would have used it already.

It's the opposite... I was just thinking now's the time.

What do you mean?

My Schrift is "A." "Antithesis."

Wh...What is this?!

Antithesis. It reverses events that have already taken place between two designated points.

This time I simply reversed our wounds.

I see... What a magnificent power. That explains why His Majesty took an interest in you.

Your Antithesis is indeed remarkable, but it does not match up well with The Balance.

I told you. I can allocate misfortunes.

And all the misfortunes that occur to me are received by this Freund Schild.

In other words, the good fortune of you wounding my body has rained down on you as a misfortune in the same amount.

The misfortune inflicted on my body is transferred to the Freund Schild and...will rain down on you as additional misfortune.

............

I thought I told you... You don't stand a chance, Uryu Ishida.

Huff... Huff...

Still won't give up, will you?

You're a smart man. I know you realize you don't stand a chance against me or His Majesty.

I said I could not see you...but I take that back.

You are very much like those unbelievably foolish humans.

I'm...like them?

I thought...I've always remained calm, made decisions based on your so-called balance.

But Ichigo's an idiot, so he can't do that. If he wants to help, he'll just go help.

Orihime's also an idiot. Chad's an idiot. Ms. Kuchiki's an idiot. Renji's an idiot...

If I appear to be the same as those idiots...

...then that makes me happy.

Happy you say? I wasn't calling into question how you felt.

I can't imagine being with them benefits you in any way. That is what I'm saying. Have you grown being with them?

Compared to the years you've spent with them, you should've grown much more in the instant His Majesty gave you power.

If friends are there to heighten one another, it is not them, but His Majesty you should risk your life for.

You said...the balance is a choice. Given the choice, I chose to be with them.

There is no self-interest there. No right or wrong.

Because we're friends.

I see. I understand now. So you have no intention of forsaking anything, even though you were accepted by His Majesty.

Then at least forsake your life, Uryu Ishida!

What is this?! What's going on?!

Why are you looking at me like that? Did you think I was disappointed that His Majesty robbed me of my power?

Quite the opposite. I'm actually honored he didn't take your power.

I'm honored he chose to take my power. Because only I can be of service to him.

Okay...

Wait... Uryu Ishida... Your wounds... Transfer them onto me before you go.

I...will die soon... Wounded or not...that won't change.

What...are you saying?

What... Is it pity...? Weren't you trying to kill me a moment ago?

But...!

What is there to think about? I told you to place everything on a balance.

Decisions made without weighing them on a balance, made hastily in doubt, will end up as regret.

Then weigh that on a balance too... Uryu Ishida.

You should...go help your friends.

............

Even if the results won't change...

...the point is to decide as you please. To move forward as you please.

I have no regrets. Not one.