Episode 5 of "Chief of War" kicks off with a scene of Kamehameha imparting wisdom to a cluster of eager children, his words resonating with both knowledge and warmth. Ka’ahumanu observes from a nearby distance, her face adorned with a gentle smile, revealing the burgeoning affection she holds for Kamehameha. Meanwhile, her influence in military affairs continues to expand, solidifying her standing.
Moku, however, is no fool. She is well aware that the heartfelt words Kamehameha uttered at the temple in the previous episode were actually Ka’ahumanu’s, not his own. Yet, she brushes it off nonchalantly, asserting that it is the heart that often guides a person’s speech, to which she adds a cautionary remark: “The heart is what often leads men astray,” she warns wisely.
Elsewhere, in the Ka’u District, Keoua takes drastic measures in preparation for the impending war. Meanwhile, Ka’iana is also gearing up for battle, playing with his firearms in the holding deck alongside Tony. He is deeply grateful for being rescued and the camaraderie they share. As they ascend to the deck, Vai opens up about her past, revealing that she has a son who was merely an infant when she left for the mainland. She expresses uncertainty about how he will comprehend her absence and subtly shifts the conversation to Ka’iana’s family. Ka’iana remains confident that everything will be as they left it, oblivious to the impending war clouds gathering on multiple horizons.
As the ship sails into familiar territorial waters, Ka’iana’s return also presents an opportunity for John to reunite with his people. However, their fate hinges on Kamehameha’s decision. He must weigh whether to welcome back the “paleskins” and Vai, and more crucially, how to navigate the impending war.
Ka’iana offers a circuitous apology for his role in the惨烈的 slaughter of King Kahekili, yearning for a chance at redemption. Ka’ahumanu, remembering their earlier conversation in the cave, is delighted to see him again, though their attention is acutely focused on the ongoing civil war that tears the island apart. Divided, they risk losing sight of the true adversary – King Kahekili.
Moku, serving as Chief Council, scorns Ka’iana’s efforts, believing him to be placing blind faith in Kamehameha and turning his back on the Warlord. From an outsider's perspective, Ka’iana’s desertion of his own King certainly doesn’t reflect well on his character.
For all that, Ka’ahumanu summons Ka’iana for a private discussion. Overjoyed by his survival, she leads him to Kamehameha, bypassing the Chief Council and Moku to speak candidly. To test his mettle, Kamehameha proposes a race down the sled tracks at the volcano.
Meanwhile, Namake finds himself unsteady and wrestling with the repercussions of Ka’iana’s return. Despite this turmoil, he accompanies Ka’iana to the tracks for the impending race. The priests have unveiled an ancient, long-unused track. Should Ka’iana falter, he’ll be silenced in the council. Worse yet, Kamehameha has an unblemished record in these races, adding to the stake’s intensity.
The race, a thrilling descent down the volcano, culminates in Ka’iana barely edging out Kamehameha to hit the water first. Kamehameha, a sportsmanship embodiment, commends Ka’iana’s daring. He further confirms that Ka’iana now holds a voice in the council.
This revelation brings respite to the paleskins, who aspire to rectify their trade and alter their world’s fate. Ka’iana brings Moku to witness their firearms, but a hindrance arises.
That night, Keoua takes the initiative, deciding unilaterally to torch the food supplies, defying the hesitation of the other district chiefs who remain uncertain about the wisdom of embarking on war. By reducing these provisions to ashes, he compellingly forces Kamehameha's hand and creates an intimately harrowing omen—a blaze that heralds the inevitable onset of conflict.
