When a marine is shot, the team investigates. They start by talking to him, he tells them that he went riding and he got shot probably by a hunter. They check out his story and learn he wasn't telling the truth. They go back to see him but he left the hospital, not fully healed. They learn a relative came and helped him. They see the relative, who doesn't know much but they find a bag filled with drugs. They think the bag belongs to his son. So they try to talk to him but he disappeared. They think the boy was asked by a drug ring to deliver the drugs but he changed his mind which means his father is trying to protect him. But the gang will stop at nothing to get them, so they try to find them. When Kai's father doesn't see his doctor, Kai needs to put aside his feelings to help his father.

When evidence to put away a drug kingpin is stolen, Lucy goes undercover at an underground poker tournament to find out which high-roller is behind the crime. Also, Lucy’s feelings are in turmoil when Whistler’s ex-girlfriend arrives in town.

Captain Milius returns to Hawai'i for a secret prisoner exchange operation and brings in Jane to be his personal security escort in the Philippines, where the exchange will take place.

When a Marine corporal dies in a tide pool after being exposed to fentanyl, the NCIS team must quickly find the source of the drugs; Alex talks to his parents about taking a gap year; Ernie reveals personal news to Lucy.

When a Navy deserter accidentally comes out of hiding, his family becomes a target that drives the NCIS team and Charlie 1 to investigate who is after them. Meanwhile, Lucy surprises the team by returning to Hawai'i from her agent afloat job early.

When a Navy pilot is found murdered at a local military resort, the team goes undercover to discover a criminal enterprise hiding in plain sight.