One day in Mema, Sundiata's sister, Kolonkan, notices a woman selling baobab leaves, a type of produce that can only be found in Mali. She approaches the woman, who turns out to be one of the Malinke people searching for Sundiata. Sogolon and Sundiata receive a delegation of dignitaries from the Mali court, who inform them about Soumaoro's destructive actions against their homeland. Sundiata pledges to join Fakoli's army to help defeat Soumaoro. Tragically, Sogolon passes away the next morning. Despite the objections of the Mema king, who regarded Sundiata as his successor, Sundiata sets off to join Fakoli.

Sundiata begins his campaign against Soumaoro by defeating the forces led by Soumaoro's son. Later, he confronts Soumaoro's own troops. Although Sundiata and Fakoli's other allies fight valiantly, they are unable to capture Soumaoro himself, as he possesses magical abilities that allow him to disappear at will. Gradually, the allies push back Soumaoro's forces, but he continues to evade them.

During the battle, Sundiata reunites with his griot, Balla Fasseke, who reveals that Soumaoro's dark powers can be neutralized by an arrow tipped with a magical rooster's claw. In the subsequent battle, Sundiata manages to graze Soumaoro with the enchanted weapon, weakening his powers enough to drive him from the battlefield, though not to kill him. The triumphant troops then advance on Soumaoro's town of Sosso, capture the fortified city, and discover that the king's magical charms have lost their effectiveness. The Sorcerer King has been defeated.