Kusagakure

Kusagakure (草隠れの里, *Kusagakure no Sato*, *literally meaning:* Village Hidden in the Grass) is located thus far in an unnamed country. Because it had genin participating in the Chūnin Exams organised by Konohagakure, it can be assumed the two villages are allied. Although it has never been named, the country Kusagakure is located in has been shown on several occasions. The country is rich with forests, some consisting of giant

mushrooms or bamboo. It also seems to have many rivers and deep ravines.

During the Third Shinobi World War, the country was invaded by Iwagakure and served as an important front between Iwa and Konoha. More than a decade later, Orochimaru had a hideout somewhere in the country.

Kusagakure is skilled in diplomacy, a trait they constantly use to read the movements of other countries and stay one step ahead of them. They also analyse techniques from other villages in a similar manner. Because of these principles, others find it hard to read the shinobi from this village's attitudes.

After the end of the Fourth Shinobi World War, Kusagakure was approached and offered to join the Shinobi Union.

## Locations

### Kannabi Bridge

Main article: Kannabi BridgeThe Kannabi Bridge (神無毘橋, *Kannabi-kyō*, *literally meaning:* Bridge where the gods do not help) was a large bridge, spanning a river somewhere in Kusagakure. During the Third Shinobi World War, this bridge was a vital pathway to Iwagakure's line of supply. Team Minato, led by newly-promoted jōnin Kakashi Hatake, were given the mission of destroying it. They eventually succeeded with the aid of the team's official leader, Minato Namikaze. However, the team's member, Obito Uchiha, was incapacitated and was thought to have been dead prior to the destruction of the bridge. Despite his apparent death, the bridge was nonetheless destroyed, turning the tide of the war in Konoha's favour despite their massive shortage in manpower.

### Tenchi Bridge

Main article: Tenchi BridgeThe Tenchi Bridge (天地橋, *Tenchi-kyō*, *literally meaning:* Heaven and Earth Bridge) was located somewhere in Kusagakure, spanning a deep ravine. It was here that Team Kakashi, led by Yamato, was to meet up with one of Akatsuki-member Sasori's spies, Kabuto Yakushi.

### Hōzuki Castle

Main article: Hōzuki CastleThe Hōzuki Castle (鬼灯城, *Hōzuki-jō*, *literally meaning:* Demon Lantern Castle), also known as the Blood Prison (ブラッド・プリズン, *Buraddo Purizun*), is a large castle that is controlled by Kusagakure and serves as a criminal containment facility.

## Trivia

* The country borders on the Land of Fire in the east, the Land of Earth in the northwest, Takigakure in the north and Amegakure in the south.
* In *Naruto the Movie: Blood Prison*, the village possessed an ancient superweapon dating back to the days of the Sage of the Six Paths. The weapon was so powerful that Kusagakure was seen as a powerful force in the world at that time.
	+ After the old Kusagakure was destroyed, the weapon was hidden and two factions arose, namely "Grass Fruit" (草の実, *Kusa no Jitsu*, *English TV:* Seeds of Grass) group, in favour of using the weapon to restore Kusagakure's former glory, and "Grass Flower" (草の花, *Kusa no Hana*, *English TV:* Flowers of Grass) group, opposed to the use of the weapon.