Okay, so first off the big plan that ended up surpassing L, was in truth, all Mello. The thing is that Near admits he owes this all to Mellow.  Something that Light nor Near ended up predicting. In fact, it went on, wherein Light perfectly predicted Near's plan, and then Mello perfectly predicted Light and N's plan, inspite of not being aware of Mikami from Lidner. It is to the point that N or Light cannot conceive of anything that Mello is doing as anything, but a nuisance. They fail to connect the dots on his strategy in the slightest. Just imagine that through sheer reasoning, he concluded Mikami's existence, from the pattern of the killing's of Kira, he deduced his personality and how he'd act. All the while without any of the inside info that Near collected. 

Mello is very likely to have chosen to die against Takada. That was the only way to let her keep her phone without her being suspicious. It was the best strategy, and I don't truly conceive of a manner that his plan could have continued otherwise. Or why he would fail to strip her down completely inspite of what amounts to having none of that dignity with Hal in the shower. Just have to mention that antifeat. Without help, Mello couldn't have accomplished his plan. No one to do the work on the ground, no funding, no operatives. He had no tools, but this one tactic  that would reveal Light's hand to Near.

Moreover, the very thing that narratively makes L superior to N, and what makes Light cautious, is sheer aggression. That is the greatest factor, the unwillingness to lose and the capability to always clutch at victory. This is what Light demeans N for, and even demeans L for. Not going as far as they could to get what they wanted. To win. That is something Mello never lost sight of.

Mello in which case, has a much greater capability of  planning and grand strategy than the others, and can outpace them handedly and easily. It gets to the point that for his first plan, Light even had to break the rules off the death note. Forcing someone who wouldn't know of Misa Amone, or where the Holy Chateau hotel is. Certainly, the private quarters and room of an actor would be beyond Kal Snyder's knowledge. Without that he was legitimately untouchable. 

Plus the narrative set up of him becoming number one is exceedingly important. It was his entire goal in life to do, thusly, that he could achieve it in death, and sacrifice, seems to be the perfect completion for him. It's to his satisfaction to have beat Near and speared the whale that L could not slay. It makes no sense to set that up in story without it being reached, especially as an individual as he specified. Especially to hammer in the fact that he never lost sight of surpassing N and L, even in his last moments, it's all that makes sense. 

Now, the one counter statement that exists must be addressed, from Near. In which case this is part of his denial to believe Mello surpassed him, his hatred of losing, alongside his idolization of L lining up to him saying that they couldn't have surpassed him on their own. Indeed, this would be true as if it had been merely Mello dying, he wouldn't have succeeded. Though if he had the help that N did, throughout the entire story, he wouldn't have needed it. Which he would have had with the Mafia. 

If you want to contest with the idea he's second to Near, first off, there are ZERO statements of that following Wammy's house. None at all. There are also counter statements. Such as Near going "even if he didn't surpass me", and Kyomi being told to be more cautious of Mello. Alongside Near not being able to think accurately of Mello's strategy and tactics. He's utterly beyond him.

Mello is smarter than L, lwk