Episode 5 of Cobra Kai's sixth season opens with Tory receiving heartening words from the doctor, informing her that her mother's condition is improving. However, the joy is momentarily eclipsed in the parking lot by Kreese's unwelcome presence. He appears, claiming to be checking up on his "champion," but Tory is displeased. Kreese insists he only wishes to protect her and urges her to join Cobra Kai with him, continuously lauding her as a champion. Yet, Tory merely acquiesces, emphasizing that she's doing this for herself.
Later, Tory shares the encounter with Robby, who vows to keep it confidential. He still harbors a grudge for always being second best, while Tory doubts her victory's legitimacy due to Silver's interference with the referee. The two strike a pact, promising to remain united and conquer Sekai Taikai together.
Meanwhile, Demetri rejoices in his MIT acceptance, but Kenny fails to show up for training. When it comes to selecting the captain, the four top students undergo rigorous testing under Johnny's guidance. He twists Miyago-do's teachings into a surprisingly effective methodology.
However, Daniel is displeased, believing Johnny's "macho antics" are infiltrating his lessons. Daniel's frustration is countered by Amanda, who reminds him of his earlier promise to step back from karate and encourages him to be more lenient. Amanda suggests that Miyagi's history with boxing and combat might indicate he wanted someone like Johnny to lead. But Daniel steadfastly refuses to believe that his esteemed sensei could be anything less than the ideal man he's always admired.
That night, drama unfolds as Tory returns home to discover her mother has passed away, her fist clenched, a hint of foul play perhaps. While this is mere speculation, given Kreese's unscrupulous nature, it's not inconceivable that he could be involved.
Undeniably, Robby remains oblivious to the tumultuous events surrounding him. While Tory receives the devastating news of her mother's passing at the hospital, her anger and grief entwine in a turbulent storm. She finds herself spiraling out of control, consumed by emotions. Meanwhile, Miguel's dissatisfaction with his deferred admission to Stanford simmers, and the only remedy he sees is to unleash his full strength against Robby.
However, Daniel, leaving work early, stumbles upon Johnny conducting extra training sessions for Sam and Miguel. This discovery doesn't sit well with Johnny, and soon, the two engage in a heated argument. Enraged, Johnny rushes back to the dealership, vowing to quit and start his own business, threatening Daniel's livelihood. The ensuing reactions are nothing short of comical, but Amanda intervenes, leading Johnny to her office for a cooling-off session. She directs his attention to Miyagi's box of treasures and its contents, a reminder of the past.
That evening, Amanda offers Daniel words of wisdom. She negotiates, urging him to find a middle ground with his partner. Daniel confesses that ever since opening the box, he's felt unbalanced, haunted by the realization that there's a reason he was unaware of Miyagi's past. Amanda advises him to focus on the present, particularly on the students and Johnny.
Yet, the epic battles loom large. As Robby and Miguel prepare to face each other, Daniel approaches Johnny and decides they'll referee the matches. But Tory, still grappling with her grief, remains unseen. The fight between Robby and Miguel commences, and despite trailing by two points, Robby mounts a comeback, emerging victorious.
And for the ladies, Tory appears, her sorrow etched on her face. None are aware of her mother's passing. As the fight progresses, Tory unleashes her full aggression, poised to strike Sam with a devastating blow.
Amidst the chaos, Amanda's phone rang, signaling a call from the medical center. Urgently, she and Daniel pleaded with the staff to halt the escalating altercation. But Tory, fueled by rage and the desire to triumph through pain, refused to yield. Sam could sense the tension mounting, yet Johnny chose to defer the decision to Tory and Sam.
Johnny sided with Tory, yet his support fell on deaf ears. Daniel and Amanda stood firm, refusing to relent. Realizing the futility of the situation, Tory made a decisive turn and walked away from Miyagi-Do. Johnny, dismayed, voiced his understanding of Tory's plight, reminiscing about how fighting on the mat helped him cope with his mother's death.
The rift between Daniel and Johnny deepened as they clashed over Miyagi's past, culminating in a resounding slap from Daniel. Johnny resolved that after this tournament, their rivalry would be definitively over. They would only maintain a fragile truce for the duration of the competition. With Tory's absence and Barcelona's call off, Hawk stepped into her shoes.
As Sam and Robby took on the roles of captains, Daniel's attention was drawn to the sigil, a familiar sight from his Sekai Taikai box of relics. It dawned on him that he had once fought in the tournament, his head banner now stained with blood, a foreboding omen perhaps? As the competition neared, the camera panned to Barcelona, where various teams gathered for the tournament's kickoff. Miyagi-Do, dressed in pristine white, stood in stark contrast to the menacing Cobra Kai contingent, clad in black, with Kreese and Kim poised for battle. Tragically, Tory had rejoined Cobra Kai, taking her place among them after her betrayal of Miyagi-Do.
