Kirigakure

霧隠れの里

Kirigakure no Sato

Kirigakure is the official **Hidden Village** of the **Land of Water**. It was found, and is currently being led, by the First Mizukage: Fugukyō Suikazan. Kirigakure rests on the western coast of the main island of the Land of Water. It rests on the mouth of a river. Because of the unique, albeit lacking laws that allow ninja from all countries: Kirigakure has become a haven for many people looking for their fortune as well as those who are not wanted by their own countries.

On missions, Kirigakure-nin tend to wear types of pin-striped clothing and navy blue camouflage, in the form of typical attire for the time such as a Yukata or Shōzoku. They wear Forehead Protectors inscribed with the symbol of their village, typically made of black cloth. Many Kirigakure-nin make special use of Water Release techniques and types of Kenjutsu, something which they frequently combine together to make for devastating effect.

## History

The village of Kirigakure has existed long before it was christened as such. Before, it existed as Nishikawa-Machi. This town was a common site of war during the early parts of Age of Shinobi, when war between clans was most rampant. Early on in 165 A.M, it was claimed by the little-known Suikazan Clan of the time. Years passed, and although a bloody history was made in the surrounding areas, little did to ever touch Nishikawa. In fact, so little of it did that it became a haven for shinobi. A neutral zones, by which all respected, due to the careful planning and brutally cunning tactics made by the Suikazan to eliminate any potential dangers.

While the Suikazan's power developed within this time, and a great deal of vassals were sworn to their name, their power could never truly rival other clans such as the Hōzuki or Yuki. Years would pass, and the power of Nishikawa was lost greatly as chaos and dissension became the norm under the incompetent fourth clan head of the Suikazan. It set a precedent from that point on, as what made the Suikazan so great was stripped away from them by just the influence of one man's life.

Life for the Suikazan descended into chaos, and at some point their neutral grounds became the very thing their forefathers never wanted from it again: A battlefield. Another three generations of Suikazan passed, and the world began to change.

The biggest of changes came around 400 A.M, when Konohagakure was introduced to the world as the first hidden village. The ripples of such a thing spread far across even the mighty oceans the surround the Water. For the past couple of decades there was a figure within Nishikawa that was looking to inherit their lost legacy. This was Fugukyō Suikazan of the Crimson Mist. A woman which, across Kirigakure, was given a sense of begrudging respect for the sense power, ambition, and strange arts that she used in the midst of combat. It was her ambition that made her be seen as a potential weapon, as well as a great enemy if on the wrong side. Nishikawa's status was reclaimed, but not at the cost of many lives.

Fugukyō's ability to simply do this however, proved her worth in the eyes of the current Daimyō whenever Konoha was revealed to the world. Her and her village, it was perfect for the sake of the Land of Water. Thus, parley was held and the two came to a deal that would benefit both the purpose of the village and what was wanted to be maintained from its recently renewed status. Construction began, and Nishikawa-Machi became Kirigakure. As it did the last embers of this Age of Clans burned their brightest. Those immediately close to the Suikazan were brought to heel, while others with their own interests either personally or in the sense of nationalism, gathered under the banner of the still forming Kirigakure.

To this day, many powerful entities have yet to fully incorporate into the village. Such as: Clans, smaller city-states existing within the Land of Water; etc. Their pride on the matter too much, but Fugukyō's was even greater. The most adamant of these refusals comes from the foreigners of the land, the Shujin. Their jungles are labyrinthine and full of peril to the outside world. While trades and diplomacy occur between the Shujin Dominion and the Water, it is hard to say what the future between the two nations may be like considering the new ambitions of the latter.