The gun fired. It was over. That was everyone's first thought.
Magical Girl Illya World.
"Ah, being shot to death by your own father... that feeling must be absolutely terrible."
Illya covered her eyes. She subconsciously didn't want to see this scene. For some unknown reason, she felt that being shot to death by one's own father was very, very cruel.
It was as if this had once happened to her.
Of course, Illya also knew that such a thing had never happened to her. At most, she had nightmares at night and dreamed of similar scenes.
"Mm..." Seeing this, Miyu also felt a sense of pity. After all, this scene was indeed somewhat cruel.
A father, under the orders of another, directly shot his own son to death.
Although Miyu knew that Light Yagami was indeed the Killer, right now, 'Light Yagami' didn't see himself as the Killer; instead, he felt he was an innocent person.
Yagami Soichiro was the same; he felt his son was innocent, but no one knew why he would harden his heart and pull the trigger.
Could it really be because of L's words—that if they were innocent, then he, the world-famous Great Detective, would commit suicide to atone for his mistake?
Not just them, but people in other worlds also subconsciously closed their eyes at the sound of the gunshot. However, they then slowly opened them, wanting to see what the situation was.
The video continued playing.
Following the sound of the gunshot, the perspective shifted from outside the car to inside.
No hole had appeared in Light Yagami's head. Seeing this, Yagami Soichiro panted heavily, as if firing this shot had pushed him to his absolute limit.
"Bl... Blank bullets?"
Seeing this, Light Yagami naturally realized these were blank bullets—the kind that only made a noise for effect and had no power to harm others.
"Ha." Yagami Soichiro lowered the revolver in his hand and relaxed completely. "Thank goodness."
"Thank goodness? Dad, what do you mean?"
Looking at Yagami Soichiro, Light Yagami appeared somewhat dazed, not quite understanding the current situation.
"Forgive me." Yagami Soichiro also knew he had terrified the two children. He explained: "In order to release you, I had to do this. But please understand... I did this because I firmly believe you are not the Killer."
Speaking to here, Yagami Soichiro looked up and said: "Ryuzaki, you saw that, right? I did as you said, and yet I'm still very much alive."
It was also at this time that both Light Yagami and Misa Amane saw the surveillance camera above.
As L explained later, this had only been an act—a play to test Light Yagami and Misa Amane.
According to L's deduction, if Misa Amane were the Second Killer, she would have killed Yagami Soichiro immediately upon seeing Light Yagami's life in danger.
Furthermore, if Light Yagami were the Killer, he was the type of person who would sacrifice his parents if necessary, so he wouldn't have shown mercy to Yagami Soichiro either.
After this test, L agreed to give Light Yagami and Misa Amane a bit of freedom. After all, the current situation was too chaotic, and he didn't know how to handle it, so he could only do this for now.
Light Yagami could also understand L's methods and thoughts; if it were him, he would have done the same.
Even after passing the test, Light Yagami and Misa Amane only gained a little freedom. However, because of this, they became key personnel in the investigation of the Killer.
Light Yagami was full of motivation for this, stating that he would definitely find the Killer to prove his innocence.
But L expressed that it was somewhat boring and lost all his motivation, because in his eyes, Light Yagami = Killer.
Now that Light Yagami had transferred the power of the 'Killer' to someone else, it meant he was no longer the Killer for the time being.
Even if they caught the current Killer, it would be completely meaningless.
At the thought of this, L felt very, very bored.
Hearing this... Light Yagami directly punched L, because from the other's tone, it sounded like he was particularly disappointed that Light wasn't the Killer.
Subsequently, time slowly passed.
With L lacking motivation, Light Yagami began to get to work, and at this moment, his wisdom was once again on display.
At this moment, he was on the side of justice, putting all his heart and effort into pursuing the Killer. With his high IQ and superb observation skills,
Light Yagami soon found a lead on the 'Killer'. The other party was very likely within the 'Yotsuba Group'.
To this end, they were about to take action. Unfortunately, the Higher-Ups of the Yotsuba Group threatened the police in the name of the Killer, saying that if the investigation continued, the Killer would target politicians.
Helplessly, the police began to halt their operations.
However, Yagami Soichiro and Touta Matsuda stayed behind, willing to continue the investigation even if they had to resign. Shuichi Aizawa, on the other hand, left with regret due to family reasons.
Having lost the power of the police, although L claimed to have no motivation, he still found two helpers: Aiber the Expert Fraudster and Wedy the Master Thief.
Next, everyone learned that the Yotsuba Group wanted to hire the world's second-ranked detective, Coil, to investigate L.
To this, L himself didn't care in the slightest, because the top three detectives in the world were all his own aliases.
So L sent Aiber to the Yotsuba Group posing as the second-ranked detective.
The plan against the Yotsuba Group began.
Detective Conan World.
Kudo Shinichi watched Light Yagami and L cooperating with keen interest. There was still some time before he had to go to the amusement park that evening.
So he lay in his large house, watching the video and sighing about Light Yagami: "This guy, if he weren't the 'Killer', he might have become a Great Detective on par with L in the future."
Kudo Shinichi had to admit that Light Yagami, stripped of his death note memories, looked downright righteous.
If Kudo Shinichi had been L, he would have sworn Light wasn't Killer and that the real Killer was someone else—after all, a Shinigami had actually shown up.
What could be impossible after that?
'Luckily, my world doesn't have anything like Shinigami,' Kudo thought, wiping the cold sweat from his brow.
If a Shinigami ever appeared in his world, he doubted he could zero in on Light as fast as L had and keep him locked in his sights.
Convinced Light was Killer, and thinking of his own fame… just imagining it made more sweat bead on his forehead. Once he joined the investigation, Light would spot him and kill him outright.
His face was too well-known—he was the legendary heisei holmes, after all.
The moment he got involved, newspapers and the internet would splash his name everywhere.
And then he'd be dead, because what decent famous detective doesn't have photos floating around?
'Still, Light's incredible… pity he chose the wrong path,' Kudo sighed, regret plain on his face.
A detective overflowing with justice couldn't help but mourn a brilliant mind like Light sliding into evil.
Fortunately, Light could still be saved. L would confiscate his death note and, like the Kudo in the video, he'd lose all memory of the death note and walk back into the light.
The footage rolled on.
L and Light joined forces and quickly set up the fake Killer—Kyosuke Higuchi.
A Higher-Up in the Yotsuba Group, Higuchi had received a death note thanks to Light's scheme and became Killer's Stand.
He wielded Killer's power, but lacked Light's composure. The moment he realized he was exposed, he started killing indiscriminately and tried to flee by car.
Police blockades sealed every exit, and L captured him.
Under L's interrogation, Higuchi spilled everything he knew.
The death note in his hand was handed over to L.
Through the notebook L saw the Shinigami Rem and exclaimed, 'A Shinigami… they really exist!'
All the scattered clues clicked into place in L's mind.
'Notebook switched in Aoyama on May 22… love at first sight… the second Killer.'
'Ryuzaki! Let me see that notebook!'
Light, unable to wait, wanted to see the Shinigami who had stunned L and his father.
He took the death note from L.
'Two of them!'
In that instant L understood. His eyes widened: 'There must be more than two notebooks—this isn't over!'
L noticed Light had gone silent, holding the death note in a pose like Munch's 'Scream.'
Following Light's stare, L saw him looking at Rem and heard a strangled cry.
From Light's point of view, a torrent of memories flooded back, tearing a ragged scream from his throat.
Countless scenes—his memories as Killer—rewrote Light in an instant.
At that moment the Light called 'Killer' returned.
Viewers outside the screen flinched, eyes widening. Was this all part of Light's plan?
It was.
Light knew that without the death note he was a smart, kind, justice-driven person.
No—if he were in that position, to prove his innocence he would track down the fake Killer holding the death note.
Then, no matter what, he would touch that person's notebook and regain his memories to carry out the rest of his plan.
'Are you okay? Anyone would freak out seeing a monster like that,' L said, still suspicious but almost convinced after spending time together that this Light was a decent, justice-loving kid.
'Ryuzaki.' Having absorbed every memory, Light returned calmly, 'Let me cross-reference the names in here with the victims.'
'Sure… good idea.'
Even L felt something off, yet he couldn't immediately grasp that Light had switched personalities in seconds.
It defied science; even after meeting a Shinigami, L still trusted science.
Beside him, Light wore a gentle smile, inwardly ecstatic: 'I win! Plan—complete!'
Flashback: the day Light outed himself as Killer, he possessed two Death Notes—his own and Misa Amane's.
He returned Misa's notebook to Rem, had Rem pass it to Ryuk, then told Ryuk to relinquish ownership so Light himself could reclaim it.
From that moment, what had been Rem's notebook became Ryuk's, and Ryuk handed it back to Light.
Thus the notebook now carried Light's memories as Killer.
In reverse order, the book went back to Ryuk, Ryuk returned it to Rem, and Rem carried it to find the new Killer.
This way, whichever death note Light found, he could become Killer again.
Light acted: a scrap hidden in his watch let him kill Higuchi, and two fake rules in the notebook cleared both him and Misa.
He told Misa to dig up the buried death note and write L's name—she had met L before.
But Misa, having seen too many names and lifespans, couldn't recall L's.
In the end she traded half her lifespan to Ryuk for Shinigami eyes, planning to take another look at L.
In the end, because she wasn't part of the investigation team and couldn't find any video or photo of L, her Shinigami eyes were useless—she couldn't use them at all, in a sense.
Watching from the side, the Shinigami Rem was visibly moved.
Thanks to Misa Amane's activity, another criminal died and Killer surfaced once more.
That made L suspect Misa Amane again, though most of his energy was now focused on the death note—especially the fake rule that claimed anyone who didn't kill for thirteen days would die.
To test it, L petitioned the state and wrote a condemned prisoner's name.
Rem, still watching, grew even more anxious; she knew time was running out. With L's intellect, once he exposed the false rule he could absolutely have Misa Amane arrested again.
All of it was within Light Yagami's plan—he was certain Rem would never abandon Misa Amane.
He had even calculated the Shinigami into his scheme.
Those watching the footage knew the decisive moment had come: if L couldn't find a way to escape the Shinigami Rem…
…he was doomed.
Outside, rain poured as Light Yagami went looking for L. The detective stood in the downpour, apparently studying something.
'Ryuzaki, what are you doing out here?' Light asked.
L cupped a hand to his ear in a 'speak up' gesture; the rain swallowed Light's voice.
'I said, what are you doing out here, Ryuzaki!' Light shouted.
L only smiled, keeping the gesture as if to say: louder.
Light walked over. Both were soaked. 'What are you doing, Ryuzaki?'
'Nothing important… just bells.'
L lifted his gaze and calmly explained why he'd come.
The morning church bells had sounded unusually loud; he'd come to look, though Light heard nothing.
L seemed able to hear them, unable to ignore the pealing—whether from a church or somewhere else.
Light had no intention of listening further; he was done being drenched.
'Forgive me,' L said quietly. 'People think everything I say is nonsense, so don't believe a word.'
Light chuckled. 'True, Ryuzaki. Most of what you say is nonsense. If I took every line seriously I'd never stop, and I know that better than anyone.'
'Yes, you're right, Light.' L nodded. 'But that applies to both of us, doesn't it?'
'What do you mean?'
L's smile turned cryptic. 'Since the day you were born, have you ever spoken a single sincere word?'
The rain seemed to cease; silence fell like death.
Both faces stayed calm as they stared, time itself frozen.
'What are you talking about, Ryuzaki?' Light said evenly. 'I lie, but who hasn't? Humans aren't perfect; everyone lies.'
'Still, I'm careful never to hurt anyone with my lies—that's my answer.'
'…As expected.' L smiled. 'I knew you'd say that.'
They held each other's gaze a moment longer. 'Let's go inside. We're soaked.'
'Fine.' Light agreed without another word.
Back indoors, they toweled their hair.
'Goodness, we look a mess,' L said cheerfully.
'Your fault. Who Stands in a downpour?' Light muttered, rubbing his head.
'True. Sorry.' L apologized.
L lowered his towel, lifted Light's foot and began drying it.
'Ryuzaki, what are you doing?'
'You're wiping so earnestly; I thought I'd help.'
'No need.' Light refused.
'I give excellent foot massages,' L offered, looking up. 'Consider it penance.'
Light sighed. 'Do as you like.'
L nodded and carefully dried Light's feet, massaging the soles.
Water still dripped from his own hair onto Light's skin.
Light used his towel to dry L's hair and face.
In the lamplight they looked like the closest of partners, even brothers.
Finished, L gazed up wistfully. 'Feels lonely.'
'Hm?'
'We'll be parting soon,' L predicted quietly.
At that instant his phone rang. 'Understood. I'll come at once,' he said calmly.
Light watched L's retreating back, eyes unreadable.
'Let's go, Light. Things seem to be proceeding smoothly.'
Light followed.
The moment they entered the task-force room, Touta Matsuda demanded an explanation.
A nation had approved using the notebook for executions—unthinkable.
L cut him off. 'Prepare to ship it immediately.'
'Ryuzaki, what's going on?' Light asked, stunned.
'To test how efficiently the death note kills.'
Everyone stared; the notebook's efficacy was obvious.
And who, they asked, would write the name?
Facing everyone's confusion, doubt, and questioning, L calmly explained: 'Find a death-row inmate scheduled to be executed within 13 days. If he writes the name and survives past the thirteenth day, commute his sentence.'
'But that's treating human life like a game...'
At this moment, Light Yagami's father, Yagami Soichiro, could barely accept it.
'Only one step left!' L's voice was firm; on this point he would not yield. 'Break through this and everything will fall into place!'
Clearly, L was only a hair's breadth from the truth; he had to do this.
BOOM—!
In that instant, lightning flashed and thunder roared. The usually mild Shinigami Rem's eyes blazed with a terrifying red light.
She vanished from everyone's sight and reappeared beside the old man called Watari.
Right then, the hale elder contorted in agony, as if struck by something. At the instant before death he slammed a button and collapsed heavily to the floor.
'Delete files?! What's happening?!'
Amid shrill alarms, everyone looked bewildered, unsure what was going on.
Outside the video, those watching seemed to understand: a Shinigami had acted.
Not Light Yagami, the 'god of the New World', but a real Shinigami.
L stared at the 'deleting files' on the screen, his voice trembling for once: 'I told Watari—if anything happened to him—erase everything.'
'Is he... dead?'
'No way...'
Everyone was stunned. The old man who always worked behind the scenes, showing himself only briefly when chasing 'Killer', was just... gone?
'A Shinigami?' L instantly guessed. He looked back—Shinigami Rem had long since vanished.
In a corner somewhere, accompanied by the scratch of a pen, Shinigami Rem lifted a notebook and began to write.
'She's gone!'
'What's going on?!'
The people who realized Rem had disappeared were even more shocked. Ever since the 'Killer' case she had stayed quietly here—why disappear now?
'Everyone!! The Shinigami—'
L sensed something and instinctively tried to speak.
Then, with a sudden 'heartbeat', L crashed heavily to the ground.
Light Yagami rushed forward, catching L as they both fell.
Dong-dong-dong...
As a bell tolled, images flashed before L's fading eyes.
Not just him—nearby, Shinigami Rem crumbled to ash and vanished from the world.
At the moment of death, L saw Light's twisted grin, as if saying: 'You lose, L!'
Seeing that smile, L slowly closed his eyes—content.
Because... he had succeeded. Light Yagami was Killer—no doubt.
At that thought, L seemed to smile, happy.
At that instant, both had achieved their original goals.
Light wanted L dead.
And L wanted to prove whether Light was Killer.