Saburo drove his shoulder into it and the gate burst open. They all dived inside just as Pirate Town engulfed the lagoon. The roar of rock and wreckage resounded down the tunnel like the bellow of a dragon. Then all went silent and they were plunged into darkness.

Coughing and spluttering from the dust, Jack called out, ‘Everyone OK?’

Three voices answered, hoarse but relieved. Gingerly getting to his feet, Jack took the lead and they blindly followed the tunnel wall.

‘Are you certain we’re going the right way?’ asked Saburo after a while.

In the pitch-black, Jack had no idea if the tunnel split off at any point.

‘I think so,’ he said, trying to be reassuring. Then relief swept over him. ‘I can hear water lapping.’

They kept edging through the darkness, the sound of waves growing louder with every step.

‘I can see light!’ exclaimed Yori.

Up ahead, the faintest of gleams was wavering over the moist surface of the rock wall. Turning a corner, they emerged into a small cave, sunlight dimly reflecting from the sea outside and illuminating the space. A skiff was tied to a metal ring in the wall, its mast lowered so that it could enter and exit the low cave entrance.

‘Li Ling’s done us proud,’ said Jack, inspecting the boat and finding it fully stocked with provisions and two casks of fresh water.

They clambered on-board and stowed their packs and weapons. Jack gave the rutter a reassuring pat as he tucked it beneath the gunwales. With the demise of Tatsumaki and her captains, and the logbook back in his possession, his father’s precious knowledge was safe once more. Jack knew he’d been reckless to reveal so many of its secrets to a band of ruthless pirates. But he believed his father would have understood his bonds of friendship to Miyuki, Yori and Saburo. All of them had been willing to sacrifice their lives for him. And in return, he would lay down his life, and whatever else it took, to save them.

Saburo picked up one of the oars and pushed off. Carefully navigating between submerged rocks, they rowed out of the sea cave and into bright sunlight. The cave was located on the southern side of the island, so they were safely out of sight of the approaching Sea Samurai fleet. As soon as they were clear of the shoreline, Jack raised the mast and hoisted the sail.

‘Keep rowing,’ Jack instructed Saburo and Yori. ‘We need to get as much distance between us and this island as possible.’