This is the nineteenth chapter of the Banana Fish manga.
Summary[]
With help arriving, Ash attempts to make one final rescue.
Plot[]
Ash kills the man trying to sneak up on them. He questions if he frightens Eiji and is pleasantly thrilled when Eiji answers that he isn't.
In the lab, Alexis urges his brother to hurry but is told to go ahead since there is still too many items needed to bring along. As he continues packing, he suddenly hears someone behind him and spots Yut-Lung. The youngest Lee brother expresses how he finds it difficult to believe that Abraham had a hand in creating Banana Fish and finds it more believable that it was made by pure accident.
Abraham is startled that Yut-Lung has gotten past security but finds himself questioned on what was done to Shorter's body. When Abraham doesn't answer, Yut-Lung points out how Ash will more than likely come looking for him considering what Abraham had done to Griffin and then forcing Ash to kill his best friend. Stating that Ash is most likely the devil himself at the moment, Yut-Lung sees how Abraham is becoming more and more frightened.
Elsewhere, Dino is racing back to the manor with Arthur while giving orders to a task force to head to the mansion and do whatever they can to catch Ash.
At the mansion, Ash is about to fire upon more people until he notices it's his gang. Learning his gang was assisted by the Chinese who are there to look for Shorter, Ash and Eiji remain quiet about what's happened to Shorter. Ash, aware that Dino has most likely been warned by now, gives the order to head to the garage to wire cars for an escape while trashing the rest to prevent anyone from following.
The gang proceeds to carry out the task when Kong and Bones question if they have to destroy a Rolls Royce. Ash states that he will use that car to make his escape after finishing one more task. He admits to Eiji that he was right and that they can't just leave Shorter's body behind. When Eiji accurately predicts that Ash will not allow him to help, Ash confirms he won't let Eiji risk himself further and is happy to know that Eiji won't fight it. Eiji then asks for Ash to be careful as he fears he would go insane if anything happened to him.
Somewhat taken back by Eiji's words, Ash tasks Alex with getting Eiji out of the area and looking after him at all times until he returns. As the teens start leaving, they all express how they wish to Ash to be safe and return to them, but the one person Ash hears above all of them is Eiji hoping for Ash to be safe and that he will be waiting to him.
Outside in the street, Max and Ibe have escaped the compound and take a moment to rest. As they catch their breath, both comment how they noticed another group at the mansion but can only guess that it was most likely Ash's gang or another gang targeting Arthur since he was handed his position of power and leadership by Dino. Suddenly, they spot cars heading toward them. They quickly duck behind some bushes and see the cars go by, Ibe noticing Eiji is in one of the cars.
Heading to the medical lab, Ash kills one final guard before entering the lab and finding Abraham on the floor with his legs paralyzed. Describing Yut-Lung, Abraham details how he was attacked and that Yut-Lung stole the samples of Banana Fish he had while Alexis got away with all the data. Suddenly, Ash is shocked when he sees an autopsy table with Shorter's body. The sight of his friend's body sends Ash into a state of hysterics.
Abraham tries to defend his actions by saying they needed a brain to study the effects of Banana Fish but this only further angers Ash as he walks toward the pleading Abraham and empties his gun into him. With Abraham dead, Ash lets out a painful scream.
Outside, Sing notices an explosion go off near the greenhouse. With all of the commotion, Sing feels certain that the police will be on scene soon but decides to inspect the explosion before they leave. He enters the building and finds Ash standing amongst the flames and a burning body he suspects is Shorter's.
Characters[]
- Ash Lynx
- Eiji Okumura
- Abraham Dawson
- Alexis Dawson
- Yut-Lung
- Frederick Arthur
- Alexis Dawson
- Kong
- Bones
- Max Lobo
- Shunichi Ibe
- Sing Soo-Ling