Chapter 1 - Resurgence

In the twilight of the death gods' world, where time flows differently from that of humans, Ryuk, one of the most notorious death gods, had spent years wandering in boredom.

It had been sixteen long years since L's death, thirteen since Kira, who had been Light Yagami, had breathed her last, and four years since Minoru Tanaka, the last possessor of the Death Note, had succumbed.

Four years. Four long years had passed since Ryuk had savored his last juicy apple. His nostalgia for that sweet, tart fruit gnawed at him, making every day an unbearable wait. Ryuk would do anything to recapture that sweet crunchy feeling on his teeth, that explosion of flavor in his mouth. For this, he was ready to take risks, to plunge once more into the world of humans, in search of a new holder of the Death Note.

In the dark realm of the shinigami, Zellogi, another god of death, watched Ryuk with curious eyes. "You're having fun with humans, aren't you, Ryuk?" he asked sardonically.

Ryuk, glancing around, shrugged. "Not really. The king of the shinigamis took back the Death Note Midora gave me. It annoyed me a little."

At this point, Nu, the second most powerful Shinigami, joined them. She broadcast her thoughts directly into Ryuk's mind, explaining that after the events with Minoru Tanaka, she was "mediocrely" intrigued by humans. With a nonchalant gesture, she dropped her secondary Death Note into the mortal world, asking Ryuk to retrieve it for her.

Ryuk, captivated by the unfolding plot, nodded. "Well, I guess this time I can go."

"4 years. 4 years without eating nice juicy apples! It's getting to be a long time, I've got to have some!"

Ryuk dropped back into the human world.

October 2023.

Shōhei's day had begun with an unexpected game of chess. As he sat alone in the schoolyard, deep in thought, an student approached him.

Hiroshi Tanaka (with a persuasive smile): Hey, Shōhei, as you know the school is going to participate in a chess competition but we're missing a player. Even if you're not necessarily good, wouldn't you like to join us?

Shōhei Kyōden was a young man of 17, whose mixed-race skin testified to his diverse background. His black, frizzy hair was cut in the trendy 'high fade top' style, characterized by short sides highlighting the artistic volume of the longer top, adding a touch of elegance to his poise. With an impressive stature of 1m90, he stood out in the crowd. Small black earrings hung discreetly from his ears, adding a subtle touch of mystery to his appearance. On this day, he wore a red jacket that contrasted with the black T-shirt underneath, and matching black pants. His clothes reflected his unique style, as did his character.

Shōhei's eyes lifted from his notebook, captured by an unexpected proposition. Among teachers, he was often perceived as a student with exceptional, yet untapped skills. These whispers had found an echo among his classmates.

Shōhei (calmly): I'm sorry, but I'm not interested. It's essential for me to maintain a harmonious balance between my different activities if I'm to realize my aspirations. What's more, I think that to go far in this competition, you'll need a level of skill that, in my opinion, has not yet been achieved.

Hiroshi Tanaka chuckled and placed a chessboard in front of Shōhei.

Hiroshi Tanaka: Because you think you're good enough... All right, then prove it. A chess duel. If you win, you'll have the right not to join our group.

Hiroshi believed that by getting into Shōhei's game, he would succeed in changing his mind.

Shōhei accepted the challenge, although he wasn't particularly proficient at chess. He knew the rules, but he had never been an exceptional player. However, he knew how to use strategy to his advantage.

The chess game began, and Shōhei seemed to be playing deliberately carelessly. He sacrificed a few minor pieces and let his opponent gain the upper hand. The student smiled, thinking he was going to win easily.

Hiroshi Tanaka (confident): You see, you're not so brilliant after all.

But Shōhei had a plan. Every move he made, however disconcerting, had been carefully calculated. He had patiently maneuvered his opponent into a vulnerable position without the latter realizing it.

Shōhei (calmly): You're probably right.

Tension mounted as the Hiroshi realized his pieces were trapped. Shōhei moved his king to safety, putting his opponent in check. Then, with a sure move, he placed his opponent in checkmate.

Shōhei (with a small smile): Checkmate.

Hiroshi Tanaka was stunned, unable to understand how he had lost so quickly.

Hiroshi Tanaka (humbly): You're really good at chess, Shōhei.

He waited in suspense, hoping that Shōhei would be persuaded to join them. However, his dream was abruptly interrupted by the latter's scathing retort.

"This isn't manga, my choices don't get rewritten."

The bell signaled the end of classes, and Shōhei left the school with a sense of relief mixed with disillusionment.

Shōhei was a young man with a passion for art, and drawing in particular. His days were spent expressing his creativity through sketches and works of art. He had a gift for capturing the beauty of the world around him on canvas, whether through urban landscapes, expressive portraits or bold graffiti.

As he wandered through a deserted Tokyo alleyway, armed with his cans of spray paint and his boundless inspiration. He began tagging a brick wall, skilfully mixing colors to create a striking work of urban art. Every movement of his hand was imbued with passion and determination.

His mother, who was the only person to educate him since the tragic loss of his father, was far from approving of his passion for art. For her, drawing was not a serious profession, and she longed for Shōhei to follow a more conventional path. Quarrels between mother and son were frequent, each argument revolving around the uncertain future Shōhei seemed to be forging for himself by pursuing his artistic dream.

He couldn't help wondering why his mother wouldn't accept his passion. The questions looped around in his mind as he resumed his aimless walk after finishing his tag.

It was then that he spotted something unusual on the sidewalk. A thick, black notebook lay carelessly beside a garbage can. Intrigued, Shōhei walked over and picked it up. He thought it might be a lost diary, but when he saw the cover, he was shocked by what he discovered.

Shōhei (softly, incredulously): A Death Note?

Back at home, Shōhei placed the mysterious notebook on his desk. He examined the rules written inside with increasing attention. The list of rules was surprisingly detailed, and the notebook did indeed appear to be an authentic Death Note.

Shōhei (reading aloud): "The person whose name is written in this notebook will die..." This is unbelievable, so it really does exist.

That's when a sinister voice echoed in his room. "You've found my Death Note," the voice said. When Shōhei heard this sinister voice in his room, a shiver of dread ran down his spine. He turned abruptly to face a strange being floating before him. The sight of this being, with its wide eyes and ominous smile, made him recoil instinctively. 

It was Ryuk, the god of death associated with the Death Note.

Shōhei couldn't help but feel palpable fear in the presence of this supernatural creature. Worry showed in his eyes as he realized the gravity of the situation and the consequences of discovering the Death Note. Ryuk, with his ghostly appearance, was an intimidating presence that could not be ignored.

Shōhei, short of breath and wide-eyed, stammered in the direction of the strange being floating in his room.

Shōhei: Who... who are you? And how did you get into my house?

Ryuk, with a mischievous grin, gritted his teeth that sent shivers down Shōhei's spine.

Ryuk: I am Ryuk, the god of death. And I'm here because of what you have there. (He pointed to the Death Note on the desk.)

Shōhei: The Death Note? You can't stay here. If anyone sees you, they'll...

Ryuk: Only those who have touched the Death Note can see and hear me. And guess what? You touched it.

Ryuk's answer made Shōhei tremble even more. He knew he was now linked to this supernatural creature in a way he could never have imagined.

Ryuk (with a mocking smile): You look surprised, kid.

Shōhei was stunned. He couldn't believe it was all real. Ryuk explained that the Death Note was indeed genuine and that its previous owner, Minoru Tanaka, had died. Shōhei realized he wasn't dreaming.

Shōhei (hesitant): Why didn't the government use it? Why didn't they harness this power for the good of society?

Ryuk (sneering): Because Death Note users always come to a tragic end, kid. No matter how great this power is, death awaits them in the end.

Shōhei (doubtful): So, if I've understood you correctly, you're telling me that I have in my hands one of the most powerful objects in the world, but that I could end up badly is that it?

Ryuk (giggling): Exactly, kid. This is some kind of test for you.

Shōhei (with a sarcastic smile): Ah, I see. It's like you've just given me a private jet that you've just stolen. In that case, I don't want it.

Ryuk (surprised): But... But wait! You should think about it. You have one of the most powerful objects in the world and you don't want to use it? 

Shōhei ironically and mockingly: It's a point of pride...

Shōhei contemplated the Death Note lying before him, his thoughts swirling in his mind. He understood that if anyone else came to possess this notebook, the temptation to follow in Kira's footsteps, to play vigilante, would be almost irresistible. But he knew it was no longer possible to do so.

Ryuk stared at Shōhei with his piercing red eyes, puzzled. "So, you're not planning to use the Death Note?"

Shōhei sighed, a resigned look on his face. "No, because we can't use it here anymore. This law has been passed since that Minoru Tanaka you told me about sold the Death Note. The government took drastic measures in response to that sale. From now on, if anyone is caught using the Death Note, whether peacefully or not, they face a fine of 63,025,181 yen ($421,552) and twenty years in prison. On the other hand, if he declares to the authorities that he has obtained a Death Note, he can benefit from a bonus of 3,150,600 Yen ($21,077), provided he can prove that he hasn't used it."

Ryuk scratched his head, clearly puzzled by this new regulation. "Well, that makes things a bit complicated, doesn't it?" he said sarcastically.

Syron looked at Ryuk seriously. "Because of this new law, I really don't want to take any chances using the Death Note. The consequences are far too heavy. However, there is something I'm curious about."

Ryuk, curious too, inclined his head. "What's bothering you?"

Shōhei took a deep breath. "Tell me about Kira, and also about Minoru Tanaka. I want to understand how they used the Death Note."

He listened attentively and marveled at the actions Light Yagami and Minoru Tanaka had performed. One had exploited all its rules and the other the notebook itself.

Shōhei (addressing his thoughts to Ryuk): You know, Ryuk, if someone had this notebook, most of the time he'd probably want to imitate Kira, to create a crime-free world according to his own vision. Or they'd use it to achieve their own goals, to protect themselves, to get what they want out of life. The government created this law to encourage people to confess to having this death notebook, so as to earn the bounty... If this law hadn't existed, I'd surely have done the same as Minoru.

Ryuk listened attentively, intrigued it was the first time someone had refused to use his power.

Shōhei (thinking): Kira and A-Kira had understood the potential of the Death Note. Their ideas were brilliant, but today it's getting more complicated...

He decided to share his thoughts with Ryuk. 

Shōhei: A-Kira's idea still left the world in chaos...

Ryuk: What do you mean?

Shōhei Kyōden sat down. He took a deep breath before speaking. "You can't imagine the havoc caused by that Minoru Tanaka with the Death Note," he began. "When he sold this deadly power to the United States for an inordinate sum, the world economy teetered. Inflation soared, currencies lost their value, and entire countries were plunged into economic crisis. Governments were destabilized, financial markets were shaken, and international tensions intensified.

Ryuk: Really, I thought he'd restored Kira's reputation.

Shōhei: The United States showed incredible resilience following the economic catastrophe caused by the sale of Death Note. They quickly mobilized economists, financial experts and world leaders to draw up an economic rescue plan. The plan included tax reforms, massive investment in infrastructure and international partnerships to restore economic stability. The government also put in place measures to support citizens affected by the crisis. They realized that they could not face the crisis alone. They sought help from other nations, offering to make the Death Note available to those who came to the aid of their ailing economy. Moreover, Japan, understanding the impact of the crisis on the world, chose to return some of the money it had received to help finance the economic reconstruction of the United States.

Although the scars of this difficult period remain, the United States has shown that, with determination and cooperation, it is possible to recover from a disaster of this scale.

Ryuk raised an eyebrow, puzzled by Shōhei's remarks, "Well, I guess I'll have to go back without apples."

Shōhei thought for a moment before replying, "I think that thanks to the two Kiras, the world is now aware of the power of Death Note. They have sown the seeds of fear and fascination. Maybe that's enough to carry out my plan."

He confided in Ryuk his dream of becoming an internationally renowned artist, but also the weight of injustice in the world he felt within, where some individuals, despite all their efforts, always seemed to be at a disadvantage, while others, without putting in the same work, enjoyed privileges. Perhaps he had inherited this perception from his mother, who had spent long years studying, only to end up working in a profession that did not fully pay tribute to her skills.

He then began to read the rules of Death Note carefully.

Shōhei (with astonishment): Is that all?

Ryuk replied casually: There are many other rules that are not written in this book. But I'm willing to answer three questions about it, so choose carefully which ones.

Intrigued, he put his questions to his god of death: 

"What would happen if I gave up the rights to this notebook without having used it to kill anyone?"

Ryuk laughed: "You'll keep all your memories unless you ask me to erase them. However, you won't be the owner of this Death Note anymore, and you can only do that six times.

"Are you really invisible to everyone?"

Ryuk: Pretty much, there are only a few SPK members who can see me.

"Ryuk, earlier you told me that Death Note users always end up with a tragic end. I'm capable of proving you wrong if you help me with a few small tasks. Do you agree?"

Ryuk was surprised by the request: "Are you sure this is your last question?"

Shōhei: Yes. Normally this isn't supposed to be a problem for you, since you told me I'd meet an unfortunate end.

Ryuk: I accept on the sole condition that you give me apples.

Shōhei, deciding to seal their agreement in a way that was both simple and symbolic, grabbed an apple from the kitchen and handed it to Ryuk. The god of death seized the fruit enthusiastically and began to munch hungrily. Between bites, Ryuk took the time to clarify their relationship, a wry smile on his lips.

Ryuk: Know that I'm neither your friend nor your enemy. As long as there's entertainment, that's fine with me.

Shōhei: I see you're here for entertainment.... 

He was suddenly considering all the possibilities.

Ryuk: So, what do you plan to do with this notebook?

Shōhei (with aplomb): This notebook? I don't give a damn about that notebook.

Ryuk (surprised): What ? What do you mean?

~ How to use it LXVII:

A human who buys or sells a Death Note will die.