The Japanese sailor picked at his teeth to reveal bloody gums and this triggered a frenzy of excitement among the pirates. But Jack knew this was more likely the result of malnutrition than poison.

The tension grew as the time ticked by.

Jack clasped the bars of the cage and whispered, ‘You’ll be fine, Saburo. I’m sure you will.’

Saburo glanced at Jack, a resigned expression on his face. He attempted a brave smile. ‘My mother always said my appetite would get the better of me one day.’

‘Look! My one is winning,’ Snakehead cried excitedly.

He pointed to a bright red rash that was blossoming over the skin of his chosen bet. The other pirates studied the unlucky fugu victim.

Realizing all eyes were on him, the crewman glanced down at his erupting skin. He broke into a cold sweat and began to claw at his neck.

‘Water!’ he begged. ‘My throat’s burning.’

The crewman tried to stand, but his legs gave way and he collapsed to the deck. His body started convulsing as he lost all coordination.

‘Ple … eeease … help … me … breathe …’

The crewman’s speech became incoherent. He floundered on the deck like a suffocating fish. As the crewman died before their eyes, there was a great shout of triumph.

‘Yes! It’s not me!’ cried the captain, punching the air in joyous relief.

The crewman’s movements gradually weakened until he lay still, an occasional blink being the only vital sign he was alive. Then he gave a last shuddering breath and his eyes became fixed in a dead stare.

Snakehead and several other pirates began celebrating their win, while the rest of the crowd cursed their bad luck and dispersed. Jack himself experienced a bitter twist of emotions – elation that Saburo had survived and immense sadness at the passing of the crewman. No man should have to suffer such a horrible and agonizing death.

With the show over, the three surviving prisoners were flung back into the cage. Saburo rejoined his friends, who welcomed him with open arms. The captain, still grinning at his fortune, slumped gratefully in his corner. But the Japanese sailor remained where he’d been thrown, a rash visible across his face, his body twitching erratically, barely breathing.

‘Oh dear,’ said Skullface with mock concern. ‘It appears the cook didn’t prepare any of the fugu properly.’

He began to laugh, a cruel cackle that rose in pitch as the captain and Saburo’s expressions changed from relief to deep shock. Skullface strode away with his gang, leaving the three prisoners to their fate.

As the bleak realization sank in, the captain began to blubber. ‘NO … no … not me … I don’t want to die.’

The Japanese sailor was no longer breathing and his body lay still.

‘I can’t feel … my tongue,’ said Saburo in alarm.

Without wasting a second, Miyuki grabbed the jug of seawater and brought it to Saburo’s lips.

‘Drink!’