This is the twentieth chapter of the Banana Fish manga.
Summary[]
Sing confronts Ash regarding Shorter's death. Everyone tries to settle after a rough night.
Plot[]
Ash tries to get Sing to leave but the younger teen ignores him to try to get answers. Figuring the burning body is really Shorter, Sing establishes himself as the new official leader of the Chinese gang and declares that he will do whatever he can to bring justice by killing Ash.
Ash again tries to get Sing to leave but the new leader refuses to do so. With neither one backing down, Sing tries to attack but is shocked when Ash easily deflects his dragon fang and pins him to the ground. Instead of finishing him, Ash tells Sing to leave and return in a few years if he wants to fulfill his vengeance. Sing becomes annoyed at Ash brushing him off but takes the chance to leave after a final warning that he will make Ash pay for what he did to Shorter.
Sing hurries out to the main yard when he is suddenly met with Yut-Lung who right away orders him to clear his gang from the area but that Sing is to follow him. With the gang asking Sing if it's true that Ash killed Shorter, Yut-Lung dismisses their questions as a helicopter appears and lands. Giving Sing little choice, Yut-Lung shows him into the helicopter and they leave. Once in the air, Yut-Lung questions why Sing staged the rescue operation knowing it would look bad on him if Wang-Lung found out.
Sing explains that the younger generation is tired of the way those in charge treat them as pawns to sacrifice for their own means. While Yut-Lung understands how Sing feels, he also points out that Shorter showed great respect to the elders. Sing admits that it was his own respect for Shorter that made him put up with the rules of the elders for so long.
Changing the subject, Yut-Lung asks how Sing found Ash. Sing willingly admits that he found Ash absolutely terrifying and that he right away knew he wouldn't stand a chance against him. Yut-Lung is impressed by Sing's honesty and tells him that there is no shame in being defeated by Ash for now. Sing asks Yut-Lung if he knows why Ash killed Shorter. Yut-Lung admits he knows why but can't tell Sing at the moment.
He then states that he will allow his brothers to think that Sing saved Yut-Lung so that he will not face harsher judgement. Although surprised to hear this, Sing is grateful. Yut-Lung then uses a pair of binoculars to spot Ash in his Rolls Royce driving on a street below heading straight to Manhattan.
In Charlie's apartment, Nadia is fixing breakfast as Charlie watches the news concerning Peter Groteschele who was killed at the Carlyle hotel the previous night by one of his staff, Christina Row, before she killed herself. Seeing Charlie upset yet suspicious of the news, Nadia tries to comfort him.
They are about to get intimate when the news changes to cover the state of Dino's home. The news reports the potential break-in and arson was done by potential gang youths who also appeared guilty of destroying numerous vehicles and murders. The phone starts ringing and Charlie answers. He is surprised to hear Max on the other end. Max informs Charlie that he and Ibe are in a phonebooth near his apartment but didn't go directly there since they felt certain the doorman wouldn't let them in in their current condition. Max gives a brief explanation that the two of them have been walking throughout the night and are thoroughly exhausted. Charlie instructs the two to hurry to his place and he will meet them downstairs.
At the compound, Dino's men are doing what they can to keep the reporters under control.
In a hideout, Ash returns to his relieved gang. As a few teens go to hide his Rolls Royce, the rest express joy at Ash being back and how they will be able to re-establish their turf and power. Ash instructs a few to get food, clothes, and to contact their arms dealer, The Fly, with a list of weapons he wants. With a final request for the current newspaper and New York Times, Ash decides to rest with a nap and lies down.
Eiji is surprised as how quick Ash seemed to fall asleep and is the only one not to react when the teen suddenly sits up to instruct that he be woken up in two hours before actually falling asleep.
Characters[]
- Ash Lynx
- Sing Soo-Ling
- Yut-Lung
- Nadia Wong
- Charlie Dickinson
- Max Lobo
- Shunichi Ibe
- Dino Golzine
- Bones
- Kong
- Eiji Okumura
- Alex