Kirigakure

**Kirigakure** (霧隠れの里, *Village Hidden by Mist*) is one of the Five Great Shinobi Villages, and is also the current ruling body of the Land of Water, thanks to the efforts of the Third Mizukage overthrowing the Water Daimyō.

## List of Mizukage

### First Mizukage [1421 AF - 1458 AF]

**Sameshiga Hoshigaki** (干柿鮫歯牙, *Hoshigaki Sameshiga*) was the First Mizukage within the history of Kirigakure, being given the position at the young age of 16 after the Uzushiogakure Genocide of 1421 AF. Being the First Mizukage, it was Sameshiga that developed most of the established policies and cultures that Kirigakure follows today. During his reign, Sameshiga was singlehandedly responsible for Kirigakure's moniker of **Village of the Bloody Mist** (血霧の里, *Chigiri no Sato*) due to his aggressive nature, especially in war time, taking very few gambles when he conducted himself, and preferred to get results immediately, no matter the cost.

It was Sameshiga that forced a young **Yagura Karatachi**, during 1421 AF, to become the Jinchūriki of Isobu, thus creating the first Jinchūriki within the history of Kirigakure. It wasn't until the end of the First Shinobi World War, during the year 1435 AF, that Yagura died in combat, being utilized as a weapon by Kirigakure to Sameshiga. This marked the beginning of Isobu's hostility toward Kirigakure. Though Sameshiga considered breaking the pact between the villages for Jinchūriki control during 1437 AF, he decided against it and instead made Saiken the Tailed Beast of Kirigakure instead, thus marking the beginning of the Anzueda Clan's hospitality toward the Tailed Beast.

During the Second Shinobi World War, Sameshiga only grew more violent, especially with his own villagers, forcing able-bodied children to be conscripted into war efforts to allow Kirigakure to hold a higher form of leverage. However, eventually Sameshiga's own villagers began to revolt against him, to the point that the Hoshigaki themselves turned against a member of their own clan. Though some remained on Sameshiga's side, for the majority of the Second Shinobi World War, Kirigakure was too busy with in-fighting to handle their war efforts. Thus, Sameshiga was revoked of his power as Mizukage, becoming succeeded by **Gengetsu Hōzuki** in 1458 AF. In turn, Sameshiga continued to revolt against the people he once held power over, which ultimately ended with him slaughtering several of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, shattering three of the seven weapons, massacring civilians who could not defend themselves, along with his attempt at continuing the war efforts for Kirigakure, despite Gengetsu's wishes. It wasn't until Gengetsu had to personally stop Sameshiga, resulting in a battle bathed in blood that ended Sameshiga's life in 1460 AF, dying at the age of 55.

Sameshiga, like his leadership, was a very aggressive fighter, always attempting to keep the opponent in constant movement through his speed and overall power, being regarded as the physically strongest Mizukage within Kirigakure. He was the first wielder of Samehada, the first Sentient Sword within the history of Kirigakure. Though he was the wielder of Samehada, he was not part of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen himself, as Samehada had yet to be considered part of the group until Gengetsu's reign as Mizukage. He was the creator of the Silent Killing technique, allowing for him to effortlessly rip any unwary individual in half with his teeth alone. Furthermore, Sameshiga was a master at Tsunami Release, creating the **Tsunami Release: Swimming On Air** technique that further amplified his Hoshigaki physiology on land, thus allowing for him to treat the land as though he were in the water itself, strengthening him in speed, power and overall defenses to make him a truly frightening opponent to fight. His approach to combating Isobu, and forcing the Tailed Beast to bend to his will, was to make the Tailed Beast's usage of Space-Time Ninjutsu obsolete by seemingly parting the spatial fabric with his very strength alone. However, though he primarily focused on Taijutsu and Kenjutsu, Sameshiga is also accredited to creating the mist within Kirigakure that allows for it to have a sort of natural barrier to intruders, something that was only enhanced later on by the other Mizukage.

### Second Mizukage [1458 AF - 1530 AF]

**Gengetsu Hōzuki** (鬼灯幻月, *Hōzuki Gengetsu*) was the Second Mizukage within the history of Kirigakure, elected into the position during Sameshiga Hoshigaki's reign at 1458 AF, being only 22 at the time. Unlike Sameshiga's reign of power, Gengetsu's reign primarily consisted of reforming Kirigakure under a new leadership, and trying to enrich Kirigakure's lands, despite the aftermath of Sameshiga's terrorism and Isobu's own terrorism across the lands.

One of the things Gengetsu strived for was bringing about cohesion between the citizens of Kirigakure, primarily in the clans themselves, as the Hoshigaki Clan was ostracized due to Sameshiga, despite the clan assisting Kirigakure when the First Mizukage turned traitor. The fear that another Hoshigaki would ravage the lands of Kirigakure again brought upon near total distrust between the Hoshigaki and Kirigakure. However, it was thanks to Gengetsu's efforts that allowed for the Hoshigaki to be seen in a better light once more, thus ending the racism between the clan and the rest of Kirigakure, increasing their status to a noble clan that act as aides to the Mizukage in power.

Because Gengetsu was elected during the Second Shinobi World War, he had to be the one to finish it, even if his focus was more on Kirigakure than what it could gain outside from the war. This also meant that he had to reform Kirigakure in the eyes of the other villages, thus abolishing the notion that Kirigakure was still the Village of the Bloody Mist. After the loss of many of the weapons of the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist, Gengetsu also had to reform the Seven Swordsmen themselves, thus electing the Momochi Clan to act as the ones to watch over the production of Sentient Swords and other weapons throughout Kirigakure. He eventually died during the Third Shinobi World War within the year 1530 AF, at the old age of 94.

Being a Hōzuki, Gengetsu was a master over Water Release, utilizing that and Tsunami Release like the Mizukage before him. However, unlike Sameshiga, Gengetsu was the frontrunner for having the Hōzuki expand into the concept of Genjutsu, which Gengetsu used to further boast Kirigakure's now natural defenses against enemies and Isobu itself, giving the Karatachi Clan authority of Isobu's actions and repelling the Tailed Beast. Furthermore, Gengetsu was widely known for his Demonic Illusion: Steaming Multistoried Building through his Giant Clam Summon, along with his Steaming Danger Tyranny technique that made him seem like an invincible opponent to those that fought against him.

### Third Mizukage [1531 AF - Current]

*Main Article: Irikoryū Anzueda*
**Irikoryū Anzueda** (杏枝海参竜, *Anzueda Irikoryū*) is the Third Mizukage within the history of Kirigakure, succeeding the throne only after the Third Shinobi World War concluded at 1531 AF, making him 25 at the time of his ascension. A student of the previous Mizukage, Gengetsu Hōzuki, Irikoryū was recommended by Gengetsu to take the position of Mizukage after his passing, but Irikoryū refused on being given the position of a Kage through recommendation, believing that it would be better for the people to decide if they wanted him as Mizukage after Kirigakure was out of the Third Shinobi World War under his reign. And so, Irikoryū lead Kirigakure through the final stretch of the Third Shinobi World War, being put into the position by the people after they were satisfied with his leadership skills. It was thanks to Irikoryū's efforts that the Water Daimyō was removed from his position, thus putting Kirigakure as the ruling governmental body within the Land of Water.

Like his teacher before him, Irikoryū primarily focuses on the reformation of Kirigakure, even if Gengetsu did most of that during his lifetime, hoping to put Kirigakure at the top of the Shinobi Villages across the entire board. While Sameshiga was considered to be the physically strongest of the Mizukage, and Gengetsu was believed to be the most inventive of the Mizukage, Irikoryū is believed to have the highest Stamina across all Shinobi known to history, considered a direct descendant of the Yang Sage, while also being the second wielder of Samehada, the pickiest of all Sentient Swords, on top of being a partial Jinchūriki to Saiken.

## Clans

### Akebino Clan

The **Akebino Clan** (通草野, *Akebia Field*) are a clan within Kirigakure near extinction, with its only notable member being the now deceased **Jinin Akebino**, the former wielder of Kabutowari and member of the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist. The clan was not relatively spectacular compared to most other clans within Kirigakure, having no special talents, nor special abilities to their name. Eventually, the clan was used as a way to try and produce Scorch Release users after the acquisition of DNA from Matatabi. The majority of the members of the clan suffered from having Matatabi's DNA within their system, thus causing for their extreme decrease in numbers. Because it is Kirigakure's only source of Scorch Release and Matatabi DNA, the clan is often looked after by the Ringo to see if things could get better.

### Anzueda Clan

The **Anzueda Clan** (杏枝, *Apricot Branch*) are Kirigakure's clan that watch over, and at times act subservient to, Saiken. During the formation of Kirigakure, the clan was made up of Samurai from the Land of Iron that moved over to Kirigakure. It wasn't until later on that Saiken was tamed by Kirigakure, now being taken care primarily by the Anzueda Clan. The members of this clan have a higher ratio of gaining Saiken's Kekkei Genkai of Blood Release for themselves. On top of taking care of Saiken, the clan keeps up relations with the Land of Iron, ensuring that the relationship between it and the Land of Water, or primarily Kirigakure, are kept on good terms. Due to the importance this clan holds, it is considered the highest authority of nobility within Kirigakure. Though this clan usually has no notable combatants from it, the clan was able to produce a member to hold the position as Kirigakure's Third Mizukage.

### Karatachi Clan

The **Karatachi Clan** (枳, *Hardy Orange*) are a clan that act similarly to the Anzueda Clan, but instead of Saiken, the clan handles Isobu-related issues. Due to Isobu being a hindrance to Kirigakure and the Land of Water, the Karatachi Clan are primarily in-charge of handling Isobu whenever he is terrorizing the lands. Because of their job, the Karatachi Clan excel in Space-Time Ninjutsu to combat Isobu's own, while also holding many differing Hiden techniques to their name, such as the Water Release: Water Mirror Technique, which was created for the purpose of turning Isobu's own attacks against him. In the past, during the First Mizukage's reign, the Karatachi had a Jinchūriki by the name of **Yagura Karatachi**. It was due to being sealed within Yagura, and then Yagura's death, that has resulted in Isobu being so hostile with Kirigakure and its territories.

### Hoshigaki Clan

The **Hoshigaki Clan** (干柿, *Dried Persimmon*) are a clan of combatants within Kirigakure that excel in speed techniques, physical force techniques, and often have Sharks as their personal summons. Members of this clan have peculiar skin colors, often being a shade of blue, and seem to possess shark-like features, such as gills. The First Mizukage, **Sameshiga Hoshigaki**, was from this clan. Since the First Mizukage's passing, the Hoshigaki have acted as aides to the Mizukage, often holding positions of power, such as teachers within Kirigakure academy. The Hoshigaki Clan are an integral part of Kirigakure and its operations, treated like nobility within the lands. During Gengetsu Hōzuki's reign in 1467 AF, Kirigakure and Sunagakure become allies, and in celebration of this, a trade was made between the two villages as a political marriage. Since this marriage, the Hoshigaki Clan have gained Typhoon Release as a possible Kekkei Genkai within their members.

### Hōzuki Clan

The **Hōzuki Clan** (鬼灯, *Demon Lantern*) are a clan that excel within Water Release and Genjutsu techniques, having a myriad of Hiden under their arsenal that are commented to be the pinnacle in Water Release across all lands by Shinobi within Kirigakure. The Second Mizukage, **Gengetsu Hōzuki**, hailed from this clan, and was the leading figure behind Kirigakure's defenses being augmented, such as the simple Hiding in Mist Technique being upgraded to a Genjutsu-empowered variation that protects Kirigakure from intruders and impedes Isobu from acting any more violently than usual.

### Momochi Clan

The **Momochi Clan** (桃地, *Peach Soil*) are Kirigakure's swordsmiths, being descendants of the woman that procreated with a Jinchūriki of the Tailed Beast Son Gokū, thus giving clan members the ability to gain Lava Release. Though the clan has been around since prior to the First Mizukage, the Momochi Clan has had relatively minor importance within Kirigakure prior to becoming swordsmiths. However, notable members of the clan have become famous within Kirigakure, such as **Koku Momochi**, the woman who consumed the flesh of Son Gokū, and **Zabuza Momochi**, one of the previous members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist.

### Ringo Clan

The **Ringo Clan** (林檎, *Apple*) are a clan that eventually dubbed themselves as Kirigakure's Medical Shinobi, holding the highest authority when it comes to Medical Ninjutsu. During the beginning of the high amounts of Isobu-based attacks across Kirigakure's territory, the Ringo elected themselves as Kirigakure Medical Shinobi during the Second Mizukage's reign. Members of this clan have been shown to have one of the highest Chakra reserves in their members, just below the members of the Anzueda Clan, making their declaration for studying in the medical arts non-negotiable to anyone else. Another thing to note is that members of this clan tend to have Lightning Release as their affinity. Aside from their excellence in Medical Ninjutsu, the Ringo Clan is known throughout Kirigakure for **Ameyuri Ringo** hailing from this clan, as she was the last user of Kiba until it was taken by Kumogakure.

## Trivia

* All of the clans within Kirigakure are named after a type of produce, often being fruit. This theme aligns with canon's own naming scheme for the majority of the Clans and Families within Kirigakure.
* Sameshiga's design is that of Namur from One Piece, whereas his name means **Shark Teeth** (鮫歯牙).