 Mello , whose real name is Mihael Keehl , grew up in Wammy 's House , an orphanage for intellectually gifted children , and is one of two potential successors to L — the best detective in the world . When L dies , it is proposed to him to work with Near , the other potential successor , to find L 's murderer , a criminal dubbed " Kira " . Mello rejects the proposal , citing their bad relationship and different personalities . Then , he leaves the orphanage and joins the Mafia . Aware of a Death Note — a book that allows anyone to murder individuals just by knowing their faces and names — in Japanese police 's possession , Mello abducts its director ; Kira , however , kills the director . Afterwards , Mello proceeds to kidnap Sayu Yagami , the daughter of the police 's vice @-@ director , Soichiro Yagami ; Mello succeeds in obtaining the Death Note this time . 
