As L maneuvered through the smoke-filled tunnels, he focused on deciphering the gang leader’s words. The shadows danced around him while the echoes of footsteps faded. After a few moments, he found a hidden alcove to catch his breath, mentally calculating his next move.
Meanwhile, Matsuda hurriedly led the teen away, anxiety snaking through his heart. ‘What does it mean, a new Kira? Are people really willing to follow that legacy?’ The boy looked at Matsuda, trembling.
‘They were referring to a cult… a collective,’ the teen stammered. ‘They think Kira cleansed the world. They don’t know he was just a man with his flaws.’ His eyes were filled with fear and confusion.
Matsuda shook his head, realizing the depths of the threat. ‘We have to contact L. He needs this information!’ Just as they made their way to a more open area, Matsuda fished out his phone but found no signal.
Back in the tunnels, L emerged from the smoke and adjusted his collar, his brain already working on hypothesis after hypothesis. ‘This New Order… What do they truly believe? And how far will they go to achieve their vision?’
Underneath the shadow of the subway entrance, the gang leader sneered, brushing this confrontation off. ‘You have no idea what you’re up against, L. We are the evolution of Kira’s ideals!’
L emerged from the shadows, now keenly aware of the gang members watching through narrowed eyes. ‘Is that so? If you’re trying to elevate Kira, where are his principles? Animalistic fears won’t serve the same purpose.’
The gang leader clenched his fists, frustration boiling inside. ‘No! We’re creating a new world! A world where justice means fear! Where the weak will no longer corrupt the strong!’ His tone was almost frantic, revealing cracks in his bravado.
‘You misunderstand the key aspect of strength,’ L countered calmly. ‘True power lies in understanding—in knowledge that seeks solutions, not chaos.’
In that moment, the tension was palpable; the air thick with impending conflict. L observed the gang members, noticing their uncertain reactions. ‘What’s your next move? Coward behind might, or dare to reason?’
Suddenly, one of the gang members stepped forward, nervousness evident. ‘Boss, maybe we should just kill him. What if he unravels our plans?’
‘No!’ the leader thundered, imposing himself with a wave of his hand. He pointed at L. ‘He’s a distraction. We need to focus on the kid! He knows too much!’
Just then, the teen, who was still with Matsuda, overheard. Panicking, he shouted toward L, ‘They think I’m valuable! They’ll do anything!’
In the first chance for a switch, Matsuda took hold of the kid and whispered, ‘Stay close to me, whatever happens.’
In a flash, L realized he was outnumbered and outmaneuvered. The air was shifting, danger swapping sides as urgency filled his thoughts. ‘No, this encounter isn’t just to survive; it’s to know them—their mindsets and motivations.’
Abruptly, L sprang into action, retrieving another smoke bomb. He threw it, obscuring the tunnel further. ‘Follow my voice, Matsuda! Push past and don’t look back!’
In the chaos, Matsuda grabbed the boy and took off as L’s voice guided them. Just as panic surged among the gangsters, L’s sharp focus was to buy them time, remaining the fly in the web, an enigma befuddling the hunters.
As Matsuda and the boy escaped into clearer air above ground, they could hear gunshots and the frantic bellows of the leader in hot pursuit, his followers frantically struggling to recover an upper hand.
‘L… he won’t be able to hold them forever,’ Matsuda breathed heavily, worry filling his features. ‘Our only chance is to regroup.’
The boy caught Pent-up emotion spilled over in their flight to safety. ‘What if they find me first? I can’t go back! I have to warn the others!’
Matsuda shook his head firmly. ‘You’ll be safe for now. We’ll alert the task force, and we’ll protect you. We cannot give them the upper hand!’
As the thudding in his heart quieted, Matsuda resolved that this new order posed a danger far darker than the past. L might be the only detective able to navigate its straying moral codes and labyrinthine intentions—but he needed time and now the knowledge that someone would potentially replace Kira hung like a storm cloud over them all.