Protected behind the carriage of a Heaven cannon, Jack and Tatsumaki escaped the worst of it.

‘I guess that makes us even,’ Tatsumaki admitted to Jack, before pulling herself to her feet.

Jack nodded, glad to no longer owe the Pirate Queen a life debt. But they were far from safe as more hand bombs landed on the gun deck. This time the explosives were soft-cased, their contents wrapped in wicker cartons. Jack instantly recognized them as endan – ninja smoke bombs. Having been shown how to make one by Kajiya, the ninja blacksmith, he knew they could also contain lethal fragments of iron or broken pottery.

‘TAKE COVER!’ he warned Li Ling, who’d thought the danger was over. Jack ducked back behind the cannon with Tatsumaki.

A moment later, the endan detonated and clouds of smoke billowed out. So did shards of pottery – they whizzed through the air, embedding themselves in the ship’s wooden beams as well as Wind Demons unable to find cover. Within seconds, the gun deck was plunged into an eye-watering fog. An explosion mid-ship was rapidly followed by a fierce battle cry. The Koketsu had been breached.

‘REPEL BOARDERS!’ cried Tatsumaki, rallying her crew.

Jack heard the pirates draw their weapons and rush to meet the invading Sea Samurai.

‘Stay here!’ Tatsumaki ordered Jack, unsheathing her sword and disappearing into the smoke.

Jack listened as steel clashed against steel and the cries of wounded men and women filled the air. Although this wasn’t his battle, his survival depended on Tatsumaki and her crew prevailing. But there was no guarantee of victory, and in order to protect himself he needed a weapon.

Leaving the cover of the gun carriage, Jack headed for the Pirate Queen’s cabin. He crouched low, where the smoke was thinner, but it was still disorientating and he had to use all his ninja skill to keep his bearings. Suddenly two men burst out of the fog, hands at each other’s throats. Jack dodged aside as they fought tooth-and-claw to kill one another. Then the smoke enveloped them again, the outcome of their struggle unknown.

Hurrying on, Jack kept his hands out before him, ready to fend off any attackers. His fingers touched a wooden panel and he fumbled along until he found a door. A man screamed close by and Jack caught a glimpse of a bloody katana. Sliding the door open, he dived inside and shut it before anyone could follow.

He was pounced upon from behind, hands clawing at his face.

‘It’s me, Saru!’ reassured Jack, having almost jumped out of his skin.

The terrified monkey stopped screeching and leapt back on to her cage, her fingers anxiously pawing the key round her neck, while her eyes remained fixed on the door for more intruders.

She’s one effective guard! thought Jack as he made his way over to the weapons rack.