Death Note Episode 27: Abduction

Roger Ruvie informs two young wards at Wammy's House, Mello and Near, of L's death and suggests they collaborate on the Kira case as potential successors. Mello refuses, citing his rivalry with Near, declares himself leaving the orphanage, and acknowledges Near as the better fit to succeed L.

Five years later in Japan, the task force—now consisting of Light, Soichiro Yagami, Matsuda, Mogi, Aizawa, and Ide—gathers at Light's apartment, their new headquarters. Soichiro receives a call from Aizawa reporting the kidnapping of NPA Deputy Director Takimura, who demands the Death Note as ransom; the group is stunned that outsiders know of its existence.

Mello, now allied with a mafia group in the US, oversees Takimura's interrogation from a hideout, learning the director was unaware of the Death Note but identifying key task force members like Soichiro, Mogi, and Matsuda. Mello deduces there are two Death Notes—one likely with Kira, the other held by Japan's National Police Agency—and plans to seize both.

The kidnappers contact the task force again, demanding Soichiro deliver the Death Note to Los Angeles in two days and threatening to kill Takimura otherwise; Soichiro insists on proof his family is safe. Light grows uneasy at the Death Note's exposure.

Light secretly writes Takimura's name in a Death Note scrap, causing the director's televised death by self-inflicted gunshot, which the kidnappers confirm. Seizing the opportunity, they abduct Sayu Yagami—Light's younger sister—instead, calling Soichiro to demand the Death Note in exchange while warning against police involvement; they email a photo proving Sayu is alive and held in Los Angeles.

Soichiro verifies Sayu's kidnapping by calling home, confirming her absence. Light suggests Kira killed Takimura to prevent the Death Note's handover, aligning with Kira's justice motif. The team debates options as Soichiro resolves to fly to Los Angeles alone for the exchange despite Light's protests over lacking a plan.

Meanwhile, Near—leading the US-based Special Provision for Kira (SPK)—monitors events, confirms Takimura's kidnapping via a bugged call, and deduces the director's death protects Kira's interests, narrowing suspects. Light, posing as L, contacts the US government about Sayu; Near answers, introduces himself and the SPK, reveals awareness of the real L's death, and hints at ongoing pursuit, leaving Light foreboding.