Chapter 7

The world was watching.

The resurgence of Kira had sent shockwaves through governments, corporations, and law enforcement agencies. It wasn’t just the return of a name—it was the uncertainty that terrified them. Unlike the previous Kira, this one wasn’t making bold statements or mass killings. There were no patterns, no easily tracked targets. And worst of all, there was no proof of how it was happening.

To the world, Kira had transcended.

To Near, Kira had evolved.

Inside the SPK headquarters, Near sat cross-legged on his chair, his fingers idly rolling a white chess piece across the table. Screens lined the dimly lit room, displaying footage of Yusuke Hoshino’s confession, past Kira-related crimes, and live news reports analyzing the phenomenon.

Rester and Gevanni stood nearby, waiting for Near to speak.

Finally, Near stopped rolling the chess piece and set it down.

“There’s no doubt,” he murmured. “This is Kira. But unlike before, there are no patterns. No regular killings. Just… influence.”

Gevanni crossed his arms. “So how do we catch someone who isn’t even killing regularly?”

Near picked up a black knight and placed it in the center of the board.

“We force them to act.”

Rester narrowed his eyes. “A trap?”

Near nodded.

He turned to one of the monitors, which displayed a list of high-profile criminals, corrupt officials, and businessmen. Each of them had recently either resigned, disappeared, or died under mysterious circumstances.

“We’ve been reactive,” Near continued. “Every move we make is in response to Kira’s actions. That needs to change.”

He pointed at the screen.

“We’re going to give Kira a target.”

Hikaru Sees It Coming

Hikaru sat at a coffee shop, sipping his drink while scrolling through his phone. His fingers tapped idly against the screen as he read the latest headlines.

It was all going exactly as planned.

The world feared Kira again. The uncertainty was driving powerful people to act irrationally—some fled the country, others publicly declared their innocence before they were even accused. Fear was a weapon far more powerful than death.

And yet, something felt… off.

He exhaled, setting his cup down and pulling out a small notebook. Not the Death Note—just an ordinary notebook filled with notes and theories. He flipped through the pages, reviewing everything he had observed so far.

Near was watching. That much was obvious.

But Near wasn’t just watching—he was studying. Testing. He wouldn’t sit back and wait for Kira to make a mistake.

Which meant Near was about to make his first move.

Hikaru smirked slightly. “Let’s see what you’ve planned for me.”

The Trap is Set

The next day, a shocking announcement took over the news.

A well-known businessman, Kenji Sakamoto, had been arrested for a series of financial crimes. Unlike previous cases, where people crumbled before Kira even touched them, Sakamoto refused to confess. He denied everything, demanding evidence, legal representation, and even making a public statement:

> “I am innocent. I challenge Kira himself to strike me down.”

The challenge spread like wildfire.

To Be Continued…

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***