Chief of War Episode 9 (finale) recap and ending explained: Kamehameha's bloodiest battle yet

Apple TV+'s historical fiction Chief of War starring Jason Momoa wraps up with a thrilling finale. Chief of War Episode 9, The Black Desert, aired on September 19, 2025, and the viewers got to witness the final battle for the ultimate power of Hawaii. However, the finale ended on a cliffhanger and with several loose ends, teasing an apparent second season.

Previously, in Chief of War, after Nahi and the overseer priest's brutal murder by Keoua, Kamehameha finally agreed to join hands with Ka'iana in their battle against Keoua and King Kahekili's men. Keoua's ruthless aggression and jealousy against Kamehameha being granted the War God pushed him to ally with King Kahekili. Meanwhile, Ka'iana was ready to put an end to the ruthless regime of Keoua, and he wanted to avenge Nahi's death as well.

Continue reading to know what happened in Chief of War Episode 9.

Chief of War Episode 9 recap: The night before the battle

The episode begins with Keoua walking past a volcanic eruption, and chants for his praise and well-being echo across the fiery atmosphere. A Hilo chief pledges his allegiance to Keoua in the fight against Kamehameha. However, a spokesperson points out that the chief did not ally with Keoua when the king passed away.

The chief asks for forgiveness and gives Keoua the utmost respect and offers him the war club. However, Keoua's man takes the club and hits the chief on his leg as he crumbles. Keoua's brutalities reach an extreme point when he asks for the chief's teeth to prove his loyalty. The scene is bloody and quite brutal as the chief gouges out his teeth on Keoua's hand and proves his allegiance.

In the Kohala district, Ka'iana kneels in front of Kamehameha as he offers him an ivory necklace and names him the Chief of War. Then he offers him a helmet with Hawaiian colors, and Ka'iana puts it on and sits with the rest of the council.

A calm and confident Kamehameha addresses the council. Kamehameha also makes Ka'ahumanu the advisor of the council. The contrast between Kamehameha and Keoua preparing for war is evident; while one takes the right steps, the other preaches violence and brutality.

Meanwhile, Tony trains the Hawaiian army to use the red-mouth weapons/muskets. Ka'iana arrives, and the two have a heartfelt conversation. The conversation feels like a calm before the storm. Ka'iana tells Tony that no matter what happens to him during the battle, Hawaii will always be Tony's home. The two embrace each other.

Chief of War Episode 9: Namake confesses her love for Kupouhi to Ka'iana

Kamehameha makes Ka'ahumanu an advisor of the council in Chief of War Episode 9 (Image Via AppleTV+)

Namake finally confesses to Ka'iana about his and Kupouhi's close relationship during Ka'iana's absence. He also reveals that they all thought Ka'iana was dead.

"I found comfort with Kupouhi, and she with me. It's the shame of my life. But I love her. I betrayed you Ka'iana."

Surprisingly, Ka'iana forgives him, and the two hug. Ka'iana reveals that he needs his family to face Keoua and his men.

Elsewhere, in the temple of refuge, King Kahekili tells a wounded Kupule that he had neglected him. Just when we thought that Kahekili might have mended his ways, his men bring Lima and thrash him and almost hang him to death in front of Kupule. However, Kupule asks him to spare Lima.

Meanwhile, in Chief of War Episode 9, before the battle, Ka'ahumanu motivates Ka'iana when he tells her that defeating Keoua is only the beginning of the war. King Kahekili and the paleskins are the ultimate danger that still hangs over them. There's a strange tension between them as the two subdue their true feelings towards each other.

Meanwhile, Ka'iana hands Heke Nahi's cape, and she breaks down and tells him that she wants to fight. Her eyes gleam with a spark of revenge.

Chief of War Episode 9 recap: The war begins, and Heke takes revenge for Nahi's brutal murder

The war between Kamehameha and Keoua begins (Image Via AppleTV+)

In the morning, Ka'iana, Ka'ahumanu, along with the others, finally get ready for the ultimate showdown. The pre-battle ceremonies begin at the ritual site, and Kamehameha addresses the warriors. Finally, Kamehameha leads the army, and Nmaake and Kupohi share a glance.

The army starts to provoke each other as the priests call for protection, and the volcanic ground creases. Opunui starts to provoke Ka'iana, Kamehameha, and his warriors, and calls them fools. A bold and confident Ka'iana leads Kamehameha's army as he answers back to Opunui. The war starts as Opunui instructs his men to throw spears at Kamehameha's army.

Ka'iana confidently holds a spear aimed at him and breaks it into two, and dodges the other spear as well. Ka'iana warns Keoua,

"Keoua, your time to die is now. Kill them all."

As the war begins, Tony and the others fire at the approaching attackers. Spears, muskets, and rocks... the battleground turns deadly for Keoau's warriors. Heke, Ka'ahumanu, and Kupouhi don't back off; they bring down several warriors along with Namake and Ka'iana.

Finally, Namake passes a spear to Ka'iana, who kills Keoua's priest and rips out his tongue and takes a bite. Keoua tosses a spear at Ka'iana, and he narrowly dodges it.

Elsewhere, Heke is cornered by Opunui and his men. Kupouhi shouts for Heke, and Ka'ahumanu tries to locate her. Meanwhile, Heke bravely hits Opunui, but he soon overpowers her and harasses her. Just when Opunui tries to come near her, Ka'ahumanu shoots at his legs. Heke rises and hits Opunui's head with a club, and blood splashes out and cuts his chin.

Heke takes out a wooden needle from her hair and dips the needle into a jar, and stabs Opunui in his stomach, chest, and throat. The jar might contain the same extract from the poisonous wild flower that Heke saw a fisherman use to catch fish in the stream. Opunui spits up foam, and Heke shoves a rock in his mouth and stomps on it. A perfect revenge for Nahi's death.

Chief of War ending explained: Kupouhi gets stabbed by a spear, and Keoua's end

In Chief of War Episode 9 Kupouhi gets stabbed by a spear and Heke kills Opunui (Image Via AppleTV+)

During the clash, Kupouhi gets hit by a spear, and she growls in pain as Namake tries to save her. Keoua eyes Ka'iana as the volcano starts to erupt. The opening engulfs most of Keoua's army. Namake pulls the spear out of Kupouhi. Keoua stands tall on the rocky ridge as lava bubbles below, and Ka'iana climbs up. Just as Ka'iana is about to launch an attack on him, an explosion sends both of them down the ridge.

Ka'iana lies motionless on the ground, and Keoua's finally dead. Ka'ahumanu runs to Ka'iana and begins to cry, and they share a warm embrace. Moku sees them as they hold each other and walk away. Kamehameha's army cheers for Ka'iana. Tony slams his fist against his chest. Kamehameha stands before his army, and Ka'ahumanu stands next to him, and they stare out at the warriors. Ka'iana shouts,

"Hail Kamehameha."

Chief of War ends on a hopeful note for Kamehameha, but the dangers are not over yet, especially with King Kahekili and the Paleskin lurking for power. The episode ends with King Kahekili ordering Lima to kill Ka'iana and bring his bones. He also orders Lima to prepare Maui's army for the battle.

Chief of War is available to stream on Apple TV+.