Rooster Fighter Episode 5: The Motley Flock Scatters

The world suddenly notices Keiji, Elizabeth, and Piyoko as a video of their fight against a demon goes wildly viral. People are captivated, but not in a good way; humans begin to hunt them, nets in hand. Ibo-san, a desperate YouTuber, sees this as his chance for true fame, plotting to capture the birds for an even bigger exclusive. Their secret is out, and the price of celebrity is immediate, dangerous exposure.

Keiji and Elizabeth manage a daring escape from their human pursuers, soaring onto a rooftop. But the reprieve is short-lived. Elizabeth warns of the severe danger their new fame brings, only for Keiji to stubbornly dismiss her fears, declaring he lives by his own rules. Their argument escalates into shouting, and Keiji storms off, leaving Piyoko heartbroken and Elizabeth fuming by the river.

Alone, Keiji effortlessly fends off another human hunter, demonstrating his independent strength. He then wanders into a loud Pachinko parlor, drawn by the flashing lights. There, he encounters Mario, a demon who communicates through mental telepathy. Mario, surprisingly, is not aggressive; he just enjoys the simple pleasure of playing the machines.

Mario hits a jackpot, and Keiji seizes the opportunity, cunningly convincing the demon to spend his "sinful" winnings on a treat. Mario obliges, purchasing a tray of discounted raw sea urchin, a lifelong dream for Keiji. However, the dream quickly turns to a nightmare as the delicacy proves to be rotten, sending Keiji into a dramatic, rainbow-colored vomiting fit and leaving Mario distraught.

Keiji awakens in Mario's humble hut, touched by the demon's unexpected kindness. He asks Mario about his origins, particularly his "human" parent. Mario then reveals a poignant tale: he was born from the overwhelming desire to live of an elderly man dying of cancer, a man filled with regret over his unremarkable life. His birth was a desperate cry against oblivion.

Meanwhile, Elizabeth and Piyoko are battered by a fierce storm, desperately searching for Keiji. A kind young girl, Misuzu, finds them shivering and takes them into her home. Inside, Elizabeth uses Misuzu's smartphone to warn the girl and her Grandpa that the river is rising dangerously. The Grandpa dismisses the warning until an evacuation siren confirms Elizabeth's dire prediction.

As they prepare to evacuate, Elizabeth reflects on her true, grim purpose: to avenge her brother's death at the hands of a demon, a commitment that fuels her anger. Concurrently, Piyoko remembers a moment when Elizabeth saved him from a cat, understanding that her stern demeanor hides a deep sense of duty and a capacity for kindness. Both face the coming storm with their own heavy burdens.

The floodwaters surge through the streets as Misuzu struggles to push her Grandpa's heavy wheelchair up a steep staircase. The situation becomes desperate, the water rising around them. Just as they face being swept away, Piyoko's eyes glow with an inner light. He unleashes a burst of hidden power, rocketing the wheelchair to safety, astounding both Misuzu and Elizabeth with his unexpected heroism.

Back on the mountain, Mario watches the flooded city with growing concern. He feels a deep vibration, realizing the nearby dam is under immense strain. The water pressure threatens to shatter the concrete, unleashing a catastrophic wave that would devastate the town below. The episode ends with Keiji joining Mario, both now aware of the impending doom, facing a new, shared crisis.