Megalo Boxing is a more sophisticated type of boxing in which athletes wear metal frames known as Gear. When the inaugural Megalonia tournament was held, "Gearless" Joe was crowned champion and became renowned to everybody as a famous warrior. However, he soon lost an exhibition match against the second champion and disappeared from public view. Joe now goes under the alias "Nomad" and keeps a low profile, occasionally fighting in a few underground battles to make ends meet. He is plagued by hallucinations and relies on a cocktail of medicines to keep his mind at ease. During a competition, Joe triumphs over his opponent, Chief, who loses on purpose in order to win money from gamblers. As a result, Joe learns that Chief comes from a community of immigrants known as the Casa.