The narrative describes a post-apocalyptic world where apes have risen to dominance, forming clans and societies, while humans have regressed into a feral existence. The focus is on Noa, a young chimpanzee preparing for a pivotal moment in his life—a coming-of-age ceremony. This rite involves collecting wild eagle eggs, a task Noa undertakes with his friends Anaya and Soona. However, their journey is disrupted when a human scavenger follows Noa to his village, inadvertently damaging the egg he had collected during a confrontation.

In his attempt to replace the egg, Noa stumbles upon a group of hostile ape raiders armed with advanced electric weapons. Forced into hiding, Noa watches helplessly as these raiders track his horse back to his clan. Upon returning, he discovers his village under siege, engulfed in flames. Tragically, Noa witnesses the gorilla general Sylva killing his father, Koro, before being thrown from a high platform himself.

This segment sets the stage for a larger conflict, introducing themes of survival, loss, and the clash between different factions within this evolved ape society. It also establishes Noa as a central figure whose journey will likely involve seeking justice or rebuilding in the aftermath of devastation.