The Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13 in Soul Society had been replaced, and the Wandenreich had also determined its successor.
After retreating from Soul Society, Yhwach sent Haschwalth to invite Uryū to join the Wandenreich.
Uryū had already begun collecting information about the Wandenreich during their previous invasion of Seireitei. This was because, in his understanding, the number of Quincy was very small, and he was the last of them, yet suddenly a faction composed entirely of Quincy had appeared.
Finally, he found documents detailing the Wandenreich at his home, learning about Yhwach and the war that took place a thousand years ago.
Uryū quickly accepted Haschwalth's invitation, as he also wanted to learn more about the Wandenreich.
Silbern.
Uryū followed Haschwalth into the main hall.
Haschwalth respectfully announced, "Your Majesty, Ishida Uryū has arrived."
Yhwach, seated on the throne, replied faintly, "Hmph."
Haschwalth subsequently withdrew from the main hall.
Then, Yhwach spoke, "Ishida Uryū, become my successor."
Uryū was stunned. He had been contemplating how to communicate with Yhwach, only for Yhwach's single sentence to completely baffle him.
Uryū asked, perplexed, "Why? This should be the first time I've met Your Majesty, shouldn't it?"
Yhwach slowly replied, "Indeed, this is your first time seeing me, but I have known of your existence for a long time."
"As for the reason I chose you as my successor, you should be able to figure it out with a little thought."
Uryū was still in a state of confusion and couldn't possibly figure it out.
Seeing that Uryū still didn't seem to understand, Yhwach prompted him, "You still don't get it? Then let me ask you, why are you still alive?"
"You should know that you are the only Quincy who survived the Auswählen."
Auswählen is one of Yhwach's abilities, allowing him to reclaim the lives and powers of Quincy he deems unnecessary and distribute them to others.
Quincy whose powers are taken will die, while those who are granted power will be revived.
When Uryū was nine years old, Yhwach had activated Auswählen, draining the powers of all mixed-blood Quincy around the world.
Uryū's mother, also a mixed-blood Quincy, eventually died from exhaustion.
Learning the true cause of his mother's death from Yhwach's own mouth, Uryū's heart was filled with resentment.
However, he maintained a blank expression. "Ever since my mother died, I have been contemplating what I should do. Now, based on Your Majesty's recent words, I know the answer."
"Quincy and Shinigami are irreconcilable existences. That is why I have come here—solely to destroy the Shinigami."
The corners of Yhwach's lips curled up as he said, "Follow me. I will let you witness the future."
"Come closer, Uryū."
Uryū complied, approaching Yhwach and kneeling down.
Yhwach sliced his palm, and the blood soaked the Quincy Cross in his hand before dripping into a cup.
"Drink it. It will help you awaken your power."
"As you command, Your Majesty."
Uryū took the cup and drank the blood in one gulp.
"Very good. I grant you the Schrift 'A,' the same letter as mine."
"Now, follow me."
...
The Great Cathedral.
All members of the Sternritter were assembled, with a large number of Soldat standing behind them.
Yhwach ascended the throne.
Haschwalth commanded, "Everyone! Present the Cross! Salute His Majesty!"
Swoosh—
Everyone's movements were perfectly synchronized.
Yhwach asked, "Are you all present?"
"A thousand years ago, the Quincy suffered a devastating blow from the Shinigami, losing countless comrades, forcing us to remain hidden in the Schatten Bereich."
"Now, the horn of the full counterattack is about to sound, to reclaim the glory that belongs to the Quincy. The next invasion of Seireitei will be the day the Shinigami perish."
"Before that, I have an announcement to make."
Saying this, Yhwach looked toward the entrance. "Come in."
Uryu slowly walked to Yhwach's side.
As soon as he appeared, murmurs began to ripple through the Sternritters.
"Who is that guy?"
"Why is he standing on the platform with His Majesty?"
"Don't tell me..."
Most of the Sternritter did not recognize Uryu, wondering where this person had suddenly come from.
Yhwach introduced him, "Ishida Uryū, the last surviving Quincy in this world."
He then made a decision that surprised everyone present. "I hereby designate him as my successor."
This instantly caused an uproar among the Sternritters.
"What??"
"His Majesty's successor?"
"What is going on?"
Bazz-B was the most bewildered among them, as he had always assumed and hoped that Haschwalth would become the next Quincy King.
Yhwach spoke to silence the discussion, "There is no room for doubt, nor any need for concern. You will witness Uryu's strength in the battles to come."
"My words are finished."
Yhwach's gaze swept back and forth across the faces of the Sternritters.
Afterward, he took Uryu and left the Cathedral.
—
In the lounge.
The Sternritters gathered together, discussing Uryu.
"I don't get it. Who exactly is that guy? Can someone please explain it to me?" Bazz-B slammed his fist into a pillar.
Mask De Masculine said, "Explain? I'm afraid only His Majesty can explain this, right?"
Liltotto said, "Hey, rooster-head, that's not important. The focus should be on 'successor.' That title has never been mentioned before."
Meninas McAllon made a shocking remark, "Could it be that His Majesty is going to die?"
Everyone turned their gaze toward her but Meninas remained completely oblivious.
"Damn it! I absolutely won't accept that guy!" Saying this, Bazz-B started to leave.
Clang—
Haschwalth pushed the door open and walked in.
"Bazz-B, where are you going?"
Bazz-B said resentfully, "Do you even need to ask? Of course, I'm going to see His Majesty. I've always believed you are the only one qualified to take His Majesty's position."
Haschwalth, however, showed no reaction.
"Don't you have anything to say?"
Haschwalth replied, "His Majesty's decision is absolute. We only need to obey."
Bazz-B grew increasingly agitated. "Tch, is that all you have to say? Just casually handing the position over to someone else? If that's the case, why don't you hand over your current position too? I want a turn to sit there."
"Calm down, Bazz-B." Haschwalth's hand was already gripping his sword hilt.
"I'm much calmer than you right now." Bazz-B charged at Haschwalth.
Suddenly, a black sphere appeared between the two men.
Askin Nakk Le Vaar walked between them and said, "Gentlemen, let's avoid unnecessary conflict. It won't do you any good, Your Majesty's future stand-in."
Askin looked toward Haschwalth.