Kazuo was born and raised in Risa, where he grew up with his childhood rival/almost best friend, Lilah Garto.  Lilah and Kazuo always competed in special sports, and even made up games, to prove who was the strongest.  Lilah beat him almost every time.  After Lilah moved away when they were 14, Kazuo became sort of a loner, and whenever he could, he would talk his parents into going to Shaldani to visit Lilah.  Kazuo eventually stopped visiting around the age of 17, and began to try to lead a life of his own.   For reasons unknown, Kazuo developed a harsh belief that all women are inferior to men, and looked down upon them.  When Kazuo heard about the attacks on Shaldani, he decided to travel there once more, to find Lilah and see if she's okay.  When he arrived there, he was immediately attacked by a creature he didn't know, and was chased to the Phoenix House, where he once again met up with his childhood rival.