Killmonger, as the reigning king of Wakanda, orders the nations supply of vibranium weaponry to be flown out to Wakandan spies across the world to overthrow national governments. TChalla, having recovered from his duel with Erik earlier, returns to the outskirts of the Wakandan Design Group on Mount Bashenga to reclaim the throne.
WKabi and the Border Tribe, who have sided with Killmonger in his pursuit of a Wakandan empire, are dispatched in order to stop TChalla, but Okoye realizes Erik is too hateful to be a just king, and she and the rest of the Dora Milaje turn against him and the Border Tribe; Nakia and Shuri aid them in the fight. Meanwhile, in Shuris lab, Ross remote controls a jet to destroy the vessels carrying the vibranium weapons.
Okoye and the Dora Milaje become outnumbered by the Border Tribe and their armored rhinos, but MBaku and the rest of the Jabari provide reinforcements to turn the tide of battle. When TChalla notices Killmonger aiming to kill Shuri, he tackles Erik into the Great Mound. On the surface, WKabi and the Border Tribe surrender to Okoye.
Killmonger and TChalla fight on the railway containing the trains that escort vibranium from the Great Mound to Wakanda. The technology that temporarily sterilizes the vibranium has the same effect on both mens Black Panther suits, which TChalla exploits by stabbing Killmonger with his own iklwa while the suit is unstable.
TChalla helps Erik up and the pair view the Wakandan sunset. TChalla offers to get Erik medical attention the injury, but Erik refuses, assuming TChalla would imprison him afterwards. Wanting to die a free man like Africans who escaped the fate of slavery by committing suicide, he pulls the weapon out and bleeds to death.
WKabi is removed from the Wakandan council and MBaku joins in his place. TChalla and Shuri travel to Killmongers childhood home in Oakland, the first site of Wakanda opening itself up to the rest of the world.
In a scene during the credits, TChalla reveals the truth about Wakanda in a United Nations press conference. In a scene set after the credits, Bucky Barnes awakens from his cryogenic sleep, where he is greeted by Shuri.