The patrol lasted until evening.
Kensei walked ahead, his steps slower than usual.
They passed through four or five districts of Rukongai without encountering another Hollow or another mutated Shinigami.
There were fewer wandering souls on the streets than usual. Shops had closed early, and sparse lights shone through windows like wary eyes.
When they reached an open patch of ground, Kensei stopped.
He turned to look at Yan Si.
The sunset shone from behind him, leaving his face buried in shadow. Only his eyes were bright.
"Yan Si," Kensei began, his voice a little hoarse, "your ability should let you see those guys' pasts, right?"
Yan Si nodded, then shook his head.
"My ability can record the past, but it doesn't capture every last detail.
It's like looking through fog. I can see the outlines, but the details are blurry."
Kensei stared at him.
"So..." Kensei's Adam's apple bobbed. "Have you used it on them?"
His expression was complicated.
It wasn't anger or sadness. It was as though something weighed in his stomach, something he could neither digest nor spit out.
Yan Si knew what he was asking about: the Shinigami who had mutated into Hollows.
"I already used my ability on them earlier." His voice softened a little.
"There was only a Hollow's past. No past belonging to a Shinigami."
Kensei's breath caught.
"Really?" He stepped forward, his face emerging from the shadows, his wide eyes fixed on Yan Si.
"You mean... the moment they mutated, they were no longer Shinigami?"
"Yes." Yan Si nodded again.
Kensei's shoulders relaxed a little, but only a little.
His brow remained furrowed, his lips pressed tightly together.
He lowered his head and stared at the ground for a few seconds, then let out a long breath.
He exhaled slowly, as though