Geography

The **Ninja World** (忍界, *Ninkai*) or **Shinobi World** (忍の世界, *Shinobi no Sekai*) is split into many nations, each with their own lands and administration.

## History

The current geopolitical appearance of the world is the fruit of both the events of the Warring States Period (戦国時代, *Sengoku Jidai*), which preceded the establishment of the Hidden Villages, and the three **Shinobi World Wars** (忍界大戦, *Ninkai Taisen*), which occurred afterwards. Despite the apparent stability, it should be kept in mind that the current situation of the world is the result of these constant changes, and as such is itself potentially subject to sudden mutations at any moment.

## Countries

Countries are ruled by political leaders called **Daimyō** (大名, *literally meaning*: Great Name) who take care of state matters not directly related to Shinobi, which they delegate to their hidden village's respective head. They are also responsible for signing treaties and alliances between each other - though these are usually only active on paper, and aren't worth anything beyond that.

Among the Countries of the world, there are five who each hold one of the main Hidden Villages of the world, being appropriately named the **Five Great Shinobi Countries** (忍び五大国, *Shinobi Godaikoku*) and being heralded as the strongest.

### Five Great Shinobi Countries

#### Land of Earth

Ruled by the **Earth Daimyō**, the **Land of Earth** (土の国, *Tsuchi no Kuni*) is located in the northwest. Its territory is composed mostly of barren and rocky areas. The strong winds from the north sometime cause small rocks and dirt from the Land of Earth to fall in the neighboring countries, a phenomenon called "Rock Rain"(岩雨, *Gan'u*).

#### Land of Fire

The **Land of Fire** (火の国, Hi no Kuni) is ruled by the **Fire Daimyō** and one of the more populous countries, located approximately in the center of the continent. It was the first nation to adopt the Hidden Village system and has a warm and welcoming climate.

#### Land of Lightning

The **Land of Lightning** (雷の国, *Kaminari no Kuni*), located in the northeast, is under the ruler of the **Lightning Daimyō**. It is renowned for its stormy climate and its beautiful rivers and coastlines, the latter of which have a crooked.

#### Land of Water

The **Land of Water** (水の国, *Mizu no Kuni*) is located on an archipelago in the southeast, and is governed by the **Water Daimyō**. Each island has its own unique set of traditions, and its cool weather often causes mist to envelop the nation.

#### Land of Wind

Ruled by the **Wind Daimyō**, the **Land of Wind** (風の国, *Kaze no Kuni*) is a vast desert that is only inhabitable around the occasional oasis, meaning that most of the nation's otherwise vast territory cannot be used to help improve the economy or expand settlements.

## Hidden Villages

The **Hidden Villages** are comparatively small communities of Shinobi that reside within the larger nations which are funded and sustained by the Daimyō of their land in exchange for the service of their inhabitants - from menial tasks to full-on conflict. The leaders of the five greatest Hidden Villages, each residing in one of the Five Great Shinobi Countries, are called **Kage** (影, *literally meaning:* Shadow).

### Five Great Shinobi Countries

#### Iwagakure

Located in the **Land of Earth**, **Iwagakure** (岩隠れの里, *Iwagakure no Sato*, *literally meaning:* Village Hidden by Rocks) is known for its ruthless tactics and its employment of Earth Release among its Shinobis. Its leader is the Tsuchikage (土影, *literally meaning:* Earth Shadow).

#### Kirigakure

The Hidden Village of the **Land of Water**, **Kirigakure** (霧隠れの里, *Kirigakure no Sato*, *literally meaning*: Village Hidden by Mist) is renowned for its highly prized swordsmen, their brutal training methods, intolerance for betrayal and usage of Water Release. Its leader is the Mizukage (水影, *literally meaning:* Water Shadow).

#### Konohagakure

The first Hidden Village to be founded thanks to the actions of Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha, as well as their respective clans, **Konohagakure** (木ノ葉隠れの里, *Konohagakure no Sato*, *literally meaning:* Village Hidden by Tree Leaves) is located in the **Land of Fire** and is the most populous of all Hidden Villages, known for primarily using Fire Release. Its leader is the **Hokage** (火影, *literally meaning:* Fire Shadow).

#### Kumogakure

The Hidden Village of the **Land of Lightning**, **Kumogakure** (雲隠れの里, *Kumogakure no Sato*, *literally meaning:* Village Hidden by Clouds)'s Shinobi are well-known for the powerful ancient artifacts in their possession, as well as their melding of Ninjutsu and Taijutsu to form **Nintaijutsu**, especially when used with their favored Lightning Release. Its leader is the **Raikage** (雷影, *literally meaning:* Lightning Shadow).

#### Sunagakure

Located in the **Land of Wind**, **Sunagakure**(砂隠れの里, *Sunagakure no Sato*, *literally meaning:* Village Hidden by Sand) is a highly unorthodox village, well known for employing cunning and unusual fighting styles - such as the use of Giant Folding Fans and Ninja Puppetry - as well as their knowledge of Wind Release. Its leader is the **Kazekage** (風影, *literally meaning:* Wind Shadow).