Jack felt cheated and angry. Without his father’s rutter, his whole future and that of his sister Jess were at stake. But, surrounded by armed Wind Demons, he was in no position to argue. And why should he be so surprised by Tatsumaki’s mercenary decision? She was a pirate, after all!

‘Don’t look so resentful, Jack,’ said Tatsumaki with a conciliatory smile. ‘I’d be happy for you to remain with us as our pilot to the South Americas. Together we could rule the seven seas … even sail to England …’

She let the suggestion hang in the air.

Jack didn’t say anything, realizing that she was simply trying to appease him with the possibility. But their ultimate destinations were totally opposed. He wanted to sail home. Tatsumaki wanted to plunder the oceans. He’d never reach England that way. And even if they eventually did, they’d be blown out of the water for being pirates by the British Navy! Besides, Jack still held key information to the rutter and he had no intention of ever revealing those secrets to Tatsumaki and her Wind Demons.

‘I’ll make my own way home,’ he said eventually. ‘With my friends.’

Tatsumaki sighed in disappointment at his decision. ‘Then you’re free to go.’

‘Look!’ cried Li Ling, emerging from the hatch. ‘It’s Captain Kurogumo.’

There was a great roar as the Black Spider came alongside, Captain Kurogumo and his crew punching the air in salute to the Koketsu. Upon the main deck was the golden-shell figurehead from the Nihon Maru.

‘It’s solid gold!’ yelled Captain Kurogumo, baring his sharpened teeth in avaricious delight.

‘We should melt it down and make you a throne, Tatsumaki, now that you’re Queen of the Seto Sea!’ pronounced Captain Hebi as he approached the Koketsu and performed a ceremonial bow.

The Wind Demons gave an almighty cheer at this new title for their leader.

Gazing upon her exultant followers, Tatsumaki said, ‘It won’t be long before we have enough gold to make thrones for all of us!’

Another cheer erupted from the Wind Demons.

Captain Hebi was joined on the jetty by Captain Kurogumo and the other surviving captains. Jack noted there were pitifully few left.

‘Where’s Captain Wanizame?’ asked Tatsumaki, searching among the grime-streaked faces for the Amazonian pirate.

Captain Kurogumo spat in anger. ‘Those cold-blooded samurai slaughtered her and every soul on the Great White.’

‘What about Captain Kujira? He was on the final assault with us,’ said Tatsumaki in growing disbelief at their losses.

But the Killer Whale wasn’t to be seen anywhere among the battered fleet.

Captain Hebi’s expression darkened and he shook his head regretfully. ‘We’ve paid a heavy price for this victory.’