Exhibit 99.1350CERT


     Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act


I, Robert C. Doll, Jr., Chief Executive Officer of Merrill Lynch Real Investment
Fund and Master Real Investment Trust (together, the "Fund"), certify that:

1. The N-CSR of the Fund (the "Report") fully complies with the requirements of
   Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material
   respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Fund.


Dated: July 15, 2005


                                         /s/ Robert C. Doll, Jr.
                                         -----------------------
                                         Robert C. Doll, Jr.,
                                         Chief Executive Officer of
                                         Merrill Lynch Real Investment Fund and
                                         Master Real Investment Trust


A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906, or other
document authenticating, acknowledging, or otherwise adopting the signature that
appears in typed form within the electronic version of this written statement
required by Section 906, has been provided to Merrill Lynch Real Investment Fund
and Master Real Investment Trust and will be retained by Merrill Lynch Real
Investment Fund and Master Real Investment Trust and furnished to the Securities
and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.



Exhibit 99.1350CERT


     Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act


I, Donald C. Burke, Chief Financial Officer of Merrill Lynch Real Investment
Fund and Master Real Investment Trust (together, the "Fund"), certify that:

1. The N-CSR of the Fund (the "Report") fully complies with the requirements of
   Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material
   respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Fund.


Dated: July 15, 2005


                                         /s/ Donald C. Burke
                                         -------------------
                                         Donald C. Burke,
                                         Chief Financial Officer of
                                         Merrill Lynch Real Investment Fund and
                                         Master Real Investment Trust


A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906, or other
document authenticating, acknowledging, or otherwise adopting the signature that
appears in typed form within the electronic version of this written statement
required by Section 906, has been provided to Merrill Lynch Real Investment Fund
and Master Real Investment Trust and will be retained by Merrill Lynch Real
Investment Fund and Master Real Investment Trust and furnished to the Securities
and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.