A Fine Performance

A Fine Performance (ファインパフォーマンス, Fainpafōmansu) is the 4th chapter of Volume nine and the 74th chapter overall.

Plot
Soichiro continues to threaten Mello when he notices someone behind Soichiro. It’s one of Mello’s gang members who thought he’d survive by pretending to be dead. With his gun, he shoots Soichiro several times. Mello tries to get the notebook from his hands, but they won’t let go of it. When the investigation team hears the gunshots, they decide to break in. They shoot the surviving Mafia member, and they threaten to shoot Mello, who is now wearing a helmet, next. However, Mello presses the switch, and the building blows up.

After the explosion, Light asks Mogi if there is sign of Mello. He fears that he may have gotten away. Also, none of the investigation team, with the sole exception of Soichiro saw Mello’s face. Light fears that Mello may be a danger to him, especially if the SPK and Near get a hold of him first, and Mello tells them about the fake “13 day” rule. Light needs to get his father to write down Mello’s name in the Death Note! Soichiro was shot in the neck and is bleeding profusely. He is taken to the hospital where they tell him he doesn’t have much longer to live. Light goes to the hospital and sees his father. Soichiro sees that he can see Light’s name and lifespan, which means that he’s not Kira. Of course, that’s because he gave up ownership of the Death Note, but Light has more pressing issues now. As Soichiro starts dying, Light begins to panic and begs his father to write down Mello’s name in the notebook. However, Soichiro dies before he can do it.

Light and the investigation team give Sidoh back his Death Note, and he leaves for the shinigami realm.

Conception
In regards to the title's meaning, Ohba refused to say whether the title refers to Jose pretending to be dead or Light crying at his father's deathbed. Ohba added that if Light's crying was an act, he does not believe that it is "one hundred percent acting."