‘It’s named after Taira Masamori, the Great Pirate Queller,’ explained Yori. ‘Five hundred years ago, as daimyo of Aki Province, it was his responsibility to stop their raids. Every time he defeated a pirate clan, he honoured the gods at this shrine. Then one night pirates attacked Omishima Island and captured Masamori. They threw him off that cliff top. Somehow he survived, climbed back up and killed them all. But during the fight he suffered fatal wounds and died upon that spot. Legend says, when his body was found, it had turned to stone.’

‘But I talked with him,’ insisted Jack.

‘Jack’s speaking with warrior spirits now!’ chuckled Saburo, tucking into a piece of dried fish in an effort to eat before he became seasick again.

But Jack didn’t laugh. He swore he hadn’t imagined the encounter. Yet, as their boat pulled away from the cove, the figure revealed itself to be nothing more than a large rock.

Jack stood upon the bow, deep in contemplation. The sun had set and the Seto Sea now reflected a starlit night sky. A gibbous moon hung in the heavens, casting a silvery sheen across the crest of the waves.

An old enemy returns anew.

The phrase haunted his thoughts. He remained convinced that his experience at Taira Rock had been genuine. The bottoms of his white breeches were still damp from where the wave had broken over the ledge. Yet Miyuki didn’t remember seeing anyone when she’d called to him from the shrine.

Jack sighed. Daydream or not, he realized it was likely that Kazuki and his Scorpion Gang had picked up their trail. His old school rival could easily have got word of their escape from Tomo Harbour. Tenacious and resourceful, Kazuki would deduce they’d gone to sea and wouldn’t rest until he’d captured Jack. At least his enemy’s continued pursuit meant Akiko was safe, since he couldn’t fulfil his vow to punish her for crippling his right hand.

Holding a palm to his chest, Jack felt the press of Akiko’s pearl against his heart. It still lay securely pinned to the lapel of his jacket and its reassuring touch calmed him. Jack looked to the sky, searching out Spica, one of the brightest stars in the heavens. He’d shown Akiko its position one night when they’d been alone together in the Southern Zen Garden. Smiling at the memory, Jack hoped that she gazed up at it sometimes, just as he did.

‘Still communicating with spirits?’ asked Miyuki with a mischievous grin.

Jack was startled out of his dreaming. Miyuki possessed a ninja’s unsettling habit of moving with absolute silence. The sea breeze stiffened and Miyuki drew closer to him. Her eyes, black as midnight, held his gaze. Knowing the affection she held for him, Jack wondered what she was about to do next …

‘Isn’t it dangerous to sail at night?’