Miyuki gave him a half-hearted nod. ‘But for how long? She’s using the influence of our friendship to control you. Once you’ve given that woman what she wants, we’ll no longer be considered useful. And we’ll all end up in that lagoon – you too.’

‘Tatsumaki’s made a blood oath with me,’ Jack reminded her, holding up his healing hand.

‘And you trust a pirate to keep their word?’

Jack had no answer to that. ‘Then I’ll take my time decrypting and explaining the rutter. There’s bound to be an opportunity for escape before I complete it.’

Miyuki turned on Jack. ‘I don’t understand you. You’re giving away the one thing that guarantees your safe return home. Worse, you’re breaking your vow to your father. I thought you promised not to reveal the rutter’s secrets – never to let the logbook fall into the wrong hands. A true ninja would never betray their clan by divulging such information, especially to the likes of Tatsumaki. That Pirate Queen’s the last person on earth you should be handing this knowledge to.’

The words stung Jack. He realized he’d made a pact with a devil and the consequences weighed heavily upon him. ‘But I couldn’t let her kill you.’

Miyuki’s midnight-black eyes met his. ‘Jack, don’t you know that I’d die for you –’

The door slid open. Skullface dumped clean clothes on the floor beside them.

‘There’s an ofuro next door. You’ll take turns to bathe. Under guard.’ The tattooed pirate seemed irritated at having to act like their servant. He glared at Jack. ‘Be ready by sundown. Tatsumaki expects your company.’

Skullface turned to leave.

‘Where’s Cheng?’ demanded Jack. ‘Is he all right?’

Skullface grinned maliciously. ‘Oh, you won’t be seeing him ever again. I can assure you of that.’

The afternoon passed slowly in mournful silence. Although Cheng had never truly been a part of their group, his kindness and courageous interventions had saved their lives on a number of occasions and they each grieved over his loss. Jack had become used to the pirate boy’s gentle presence and would deeply miss him.

‘Not having arrived at the Yellow River, the heart is not dead,’ murmured Yori. ‘I must remember to tell Sensei Yamada that. It’s a good life lesson …’

‘And one we should heed now,’ said Jack. ‘Our journey isn’t over. Remember, where there are friends, there’s hope.’

Yori managed a brave smile at their shared saying. But it immediately faded as a brutish guard opened the door.

‘Next,’ he grunted, shoving a scrubbed and cleaned Saburo back into the room.