Chapter 8

The challenge spread like wildfire.

Talk shows, analysts, and online forums debated whether Kira would act. Was he truly all-powerful? Could he manipulate people, or had the previous confessions been coincidences?

The world held its breath.

Hikaru’s Countermove

Alone in his room, Hikaru stared at the news.

So, this was Near’s move.

A bait. A challenge meant to lure Kira into acting. If Kira killed Sakamoto, it would prove he was still bound by the same rules as before. If Kira did nothing, it would plant the seed of doubt in people’s minds, weakening his control.

Hikaru’s smirk faded slightly.

Clever.

If Light Yagami had been in this position, he might have written Sakamoto’s name immediately. But Hikaru wasn’t Light. He wasn’t interested in proving himself. He was interested in winning.

He picked up his pen, twirling it between his fingers. Then, slowly, he began to write.

Kenji Sakamoto

His hand hovered over the Death Note, but he didn’t write a cause of death just yet. Instead, he leaned back, deep in thought.

Then, an idea struck him.

A way to turn Near’s trap against him.

Hikaru chuckled. “Checkmate, Near.”

[ Note: Near is known as near not N, but

he's safe his real name's Nate river and also his face's not revealed to hikaru ]

The Unexpected Outcome

Three days passed.

The world waited for Kira’s response.

And then, Kenji Sakamoto held a press conference. He was alive, healthy, and defiant.

“Kira is a lie,” he declared boldly. “I have not been punished because I have done nothing wrong. Kira’s power is just fear, nothing more.”

The whispers began.

Had Kira truly lost his power? Was this all just a game of mass hysteria?

But then—something unexpected happened.

That night, Kenji Sakamoto was found dead in his home.

But it wasn’t a heart attack. It wasn’t a confession followed by suicide.

It was a murder. A very human, brutal murder. Stabbed multiple times. Evidence of a struggle. No sign of supernatural involvement.

The media exploded.

“KIRA DIDN’T KILL SAKAMOTO—THEN WHO DID?”

Panic swept through the elites.

If Kira hadn’t killed him, then that meant someone else—someone human—had. The illusion of a singular, all-powerful entity shattered. If Sakamoto could be murdered by ordinary means, then what was stopping others from doing the same?

The power struggle escalated. Criminals who once feared Kira turned on each other. Corrupt officials ordered assassinations to eliminate rivals before they could be “exposed.”

In trying to lure Kira into making a move, Near had unknowingly triggered something worse.

A war in the shadows.

And Hikaru?

He simply sat back, watching the chaos unfold.

Ryuk cackled from the corner. “You’re not just playing the game.” His eyes gleamed with excitement.

“You’re rewriting the rules.”

Hikaru smirked, tapping the Death Note.

“I told you, Ryuk. Light wanted to be a god.”

His eyes narrowed.

“I want to be the one who decides what gods even look like.”

To Be Continued…

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