Yamato, a boy from Yukumo Village, had made a promise with his idol, the hunter Kuja: "If I can land a single blow on Kuja, he'll take me hunting." When Kuja visited the village for the first time in a year, Yamato attacked him, but was easily fended off. However, after a certain incident, Kuja recognized Yamato's potential as a hunter and allowed him to take him on as an apprentice.

However, immediately afterward, Kuja was injured in an attack by a silver Rathalos that suddenly appeared. Kuja stayed put, allowing Yamato and Sensei to escape, and never returned to Yukumo Village.

And then, 10 years later...