‘We may have lost many souls … but we’ve won so much more,’ Tatsumaki proclaimed, trying to rally their spirits. ‘Tonight we celebrate our conquest and honour those who died this day. Tomorrow, we commence a reign of piracy on a scale never before witnessed. We shall rule this sea by LIGHTNING and THUNDER!’

The captains roared their approval and the Wind Demons went wild, stamping their feet on the decks and clashing their weapons. Standing among the baying pirates, Jack wondered at the terror that was about to be unleashed upon the Seto Sea. Then, cutting through the noise, he heard a bell toll three times.

Tatsumaki and the pirate captains heard it too, exchanging uneasy looks as a rowing boat powered across the lagoon from the sister island.

‘SEA SAMURAI … sighted on the northern horizon!’ panted the lookout as he reached the Koketsu.

‘But they’re defeated,’ exclaimed Captain Kurogumo.

The lookout shook his head. ‘It’s a second wave!’

Dismay and alarm spread among the Wind Demons. They looked to their Pirate Queen for guidance.

‘We’ve beaten them once,’ said Tatsumaki, undaunted by the new threat. ‘We can do it again.’

‘Tatsumaki, we don’t have the strength to fight another battle,’ argued Captain Hebi.

‘Are you suggesting that we run before the Sea Samurai?’

‘What other choice do we have? We might not be beaten but we’re certainly broken. Just look around you.’

Tatsumaki eyed their war-torn ships and wounded pirates. Livid at their weakened state, she nonetheless agreed with his assessment. ‘Come hell or high water, we’ll have our revenge on these Sea Samurai. This war is not over!’

‘But what about our hoards of riches?’ challenged Captain Kurogumo. ‘Are we simply to surrender them to the samurai?’

‘Certainly not,’ replied Tatsumaki, her resolve hardening. ‘Grab what treasure you can, then make for Demon Island in the Sea of Japan.’

Not needing to be told twice, the pirate captains and their crews disbanded. They surged up Pirate Town’s walkways in a frenzied rush to recover their stashed riches before the Sea Samurai fleet arrived.

Tatsumaki gathered her more disciplined crew together. She sent the gunners to restock their ammunition store, the other Wind Demons to load essential provisions for the voyage ahead, and the oarsmen, chosen for their strength, were ordered to accompany her to the citadel to retrieve the best of her treasure.

Jack was forgotten amid the whirlwind of activity. He was left behind on the jetty as Tatsumaki and her oarsmen headed for the bamboo lift. Pushing his way through the unruly mob of pirates, Jack hurried after her but was stopped by the strong arm of an oarsman.

‘Sorry. No room for passengers,’ said Tatsumaki, closing the gate behind her.

‘What about the boat you promised?’ asked Jack, realizing he and his friends would be stranded without one.