Under the faint light of a crescent moon, Jack could just make out an impressive three-masted ship of over five hundred tons with a double keel. The design was a strange combination of Chinese junk and Spanish galleon – the oriental-style batten sails and red bamboo framework on the gunwales contrasted with the European beaked prow, aft-mounted rudder and distinctive quarter gallery. The shuinsen was the first Japanese vessel Jack had seen capable of ocean-going voyages. Built as a cargo carrier, it was armed with just six cannon for a last defence. Tatsumaki warned her pirates that its escort of two atake-bune and four seki-bune were the real firepower.

‘We’re outnumbered and outgunned,’ observed Jack.

The Wind Demons had brought only three ships – the Great White, the Jade Serpent and Captain Kujira’s Killer Whale. With the Black Spider under repair, Captain Kurogumo and his crew had joined the Great White, along with Jack, Li Ling and Tatsumaki.

‘Our plan isn’t to attack the flotilla,’ replied the Pirate Queen. ‘We’ll use stealth to “cut out” the shuinsen.’

The Wind Demons were all dressed in black shinobi shozoku in readiness for the assault. So too was Jack. He’d been allowed Miyuki’s ninjatō for the raid and the sword was strapped to his back. Tatsumaki explained that Captain Kurogumo’s crew, with his help, were to steal the Red Seal ship and sail the vessel back to Pirate Island. Meanwhile, the pirates under Captain Hebi and Captain Kujira’s command would disable and distract the shuinsen’s armed escort. Captain Wanizame and her crew would deal with the small castle that overlooked the harbour.

Li Ling stood trembling beside Jack as the Pirate Queen disclosed her plan.

‘Don’t worry,’ he whispered, patting the sword on his back. ‘I’ll protect you.’

‘I’m not scared,’ Li Ling shot back. ‘I’m excited. This is my first chance to earn my spider!’

Tatsumaki gave the command to lower the rowing boats and the Wind Demons clambered over the sides. Jack found himself in a boat with Li Ling, Skullface and the surviving members of his gang. No one talked, but Skullface’s eyes never left Jack the entire way. The Wind Demons’ ships had been anchored just round the headland, out of sight of any samurai lookouts, and the little armada of rowing boats took their time to reach the harbour entrance. Painted black, they were almost undetectable against the sea.

Jack still couldn’t believe that he was taking part in a pirate raid. Nor had Miyuki, Yori and Saburo been able to comprehend his decision. But once he’d explained his plan to discover Pirate Island’s position in the Seto Sea and so plot their escape route, they understood. Unfortunately, Tatsumaki had other ideas and when the Wind Demons had set sail early that morning, Jack had been kept below deck until Pirate Island was far beyond the horizon.