Villages and Populations

## **Villages**

### **Konohagakure**

**Konohagakure** (木ノ葉隠れの里, *Konohagakure no Sato*, *English TV:* Village Hidden in the Leaves" or "Hidden Leaf Village, *Literally meaning:* Village Hidden by Tree Leaves) is the hidden village of the Land of Fire. As the village of one of the Five Great Shinobi Countries, Konohagakure has a Kage as its leader known as the Hokage, of which there have been seven in its history. Konoha resides deep within a forest at the base of a mountain known as the Hokage Rock, which has the faces of all those who have taken the office of Hokage engraved on it.[1] While generally seen as the most powerful of the ninja villages,[2]Konoha has enjoyed many years of relative peace and stability.

The standard attire for Konoha shinobi consists of blue or black shirts which may or may not have swirl patterns on the shoulders, along with matching coloured pants under a green flak jacket which also has a red swirl on the back, and pockets on the chest area. They also tend to wrap bandages around their legs. Many Konohagakure ninja use Fire Release techniques.

### **Sunagakure**

**Sunagakure** (砂隠れの里, *Sunagakure no Sato*, *Literally meaning:* Village Hidden by Sand) is the hidden village of the Land of Wind. As the village of one of the Five Great Shinobi Countries, Sunagakure has a Kage as its leader known as the Kazekage, of which there have been five in its history. Being surrounded by desert offers the village a natural deterrent against invasion, as few foreign powers would be willing to endure the sandstorms and water scarcity common to Suna. Sunagakure itself lies in a fortified valley behind cliffs of rock, with passage in and out of the village restricted to a single cleft between two cliff faces, making the area very hard to attack from the ground. The buildings inside seem to be made of clay or stucco, which would help to keep the buildings cool.

The standard attire for Suna shinobi consists of blue or black uniforms underneath flak jackets of various shades of beige to better blend with their natural environment and include shoulders guards. Headpieces consisting of a head-wrap and cloth neck-covers to protect against the harsh weather are popular with Suna shinobi. Many Sunagakure ninja use Wind Release techniques, which they may or may not perform with fans. Shinobi from this village believe that the accomplishment of a mission predominates the lives of the ninja trying to accomplish it. As such, they ruthlessly pursue victory in battle, and even if failure is inevitable they will still try to achieve any success against their enemy that they can.

### **Kumogakure**

**Kumogakure** (雲隠れの里, *Kumogakure no Sato*, *English TV:* Hidden Cloud Village, *Literally meaning:*Village Hidden by Clouds) is the hidden village of the Land of Lightning and was founded by the First Raikage. As the village of one of the Five Great Shinobi Countries, Kumogakure has a Kage as its leader known as the Raikage, of which there have been five in its history. The village is located in a range of tall mountains, and is literally hidden in the clouds. The Raikage works in a large blue structure built into the tallest mountain.

The standard attire for Kumo shinobi consists of a long, grey top which gathers just at the waist to give a sash-like appearance, with a matching coloured bottom. Over this they wear white, one-strapped flak jackets and arm as well as shin-guards. Many Kumogakure ninja use Lightning Release techniques.

### **Kirigakure**

**Kirigakure** (霧隠れの里, *Kirigakure no Sato*, *Literally meaning:* Village Hidden by Mist) is the hidden village of the Land of Water. As the village of one of the Five Great Shinobi Countries, Kiri has a Kage as its leader known as the Mizukage, of which there have been six in its history. Befitting its name, the village is surrounded by a thick mist, with several mountains in the background, making it difficult to find by foreigners. Kirigakure's architecture is composed of several cylindrical buildings, with the Mizukage's office being the widest and largest. Most of the buildings have vegetation growing on their roofs.

The standard attire for Kiri shinobi revolves around a pinstriped material which the shinobi wear as bracers and greaves which merge into their sandals. Underneath this, they wear a full-black shirt and pants over which they wear the villages' standard grey flak jacket. Some also wear waist-guards. Many Kiri ninja use Water Release techniques. Due to the village's high number of missing-nin, Kiri has a subdivision of Anbu known as hunter-nin that are specifically tasked with eliminating these defectors.

### **Iwagakure**

**Iwagakure** (岩隠れの里, *Iwagakure no Sato*, *English TV:* Hidden Stone Village, *Literally meaning:* Village Hidden by Rocks) is the hidden village of the Land of Earth. As the village of one of the Five Great Shinobi Countries, Iwagakure has a Kage as its leader known as the Tsuchikage, of which there have been four in its history. The rocky mountain ranges that surround the village provide a natural stronghold that it is very proud of. The village's infrastructure is built from much of the surrounding rock and stone, shaped into tower-like structures that are inter-connected by a network of bridges. The Tsuchikage's residence seems to be the tallest structure with a cone-shaped roof and bears the kanji for "Earth" (土, *Tsuchi*) on it.

The standard attire for Iwa shinobi consists of red outfit — which can either have one, or both sleeves — a lapel which is usually found on the side without a sleeve and a brown flak jacket — which also may, or may not have a pouch attached to it. They also tend to wear mesh armour around their ankles. Many Iwagakure ninja use Earth Release techniques. Iwagakure is well-known for the rock-hard attitude of its shinobi; as soon as the Tsuchikage gives an order, the Iwa-nin follow it without hesitation, even if it means death.

### **Amegakure**

**Amegakure** (雨隠れの里, *Amegakure no Sato*, *Literally meaning:* Village Hidden by Rain) is a small but highly industrialised hidden village located in an unnamed country. As its name suggests, it rains almost constantly in Amegakure and the surrounding area. All the water seemingly ends in a large lake that surrounds the village.

Ame ninja are said to be notoriously short tempered,[1] while their village trains them to their fullest potential, resulting in the creation of many original techniques.[2] Ame is frequently hired for assassination missions, an area of expertise prized by many countries.[3] A common trait of shinobi from this village is wearing rebreathers.

### **Otogakure**

**Otogakure** (音隠れの里, *Otogakure no Sato*, *Literally meaning:* Village Hidden by Sound) is the personal hidden village of Orochimaru, which was founded for the express purpose of collecting ninja for his experiments and his quest to learn all techniques. In later years, following Orochimaru's new appreciation for natural development of people and making a truce with Konohagakure, Orochimaru reestablished the village as a legitimate shinobi village.

### **Uzushiogakure**

**Uzushiogakure** (渦潮隠れの里, *Uzushiogakure no Sato*, *English TV:* Hidden Eddy Village, *Literally meaning:* Village Hidden by Whirling Tides) was the shinobi village of the Land of Whirlpools.

### **Yugakure**

**Yugakure** (湯隠れの里, *Yugakure no Sato*, *Literally meaning:* Village Hidden in Hot Water) is the hidden village of the Land of Hot Water. Like the country in which it resides, Yugakure has strong inclinations towards pacifism. After years of reluctantly offering combat-related services, Yugakure officially transitioned away from the typical shinobi missions; it prides itself as the "village that has forgotten wars" (戦を忘れた里, *Ikusa o Wasureta Sato*). The village's ninja now work almost exclusively within the Land of Hot Water's borders, keeping the roads safe for tourists and performing odd-jobs for the many small settlements around the country.

Yugakure is surrounded by several different hotsprings, and so thick steam rises up around the village. Many resort hotels are built throughout the area for the hotsprings' visitors to stay in.

### **Takigakure**

**Takigakure** (滝隠れの里, *Takigakure no Sato*, *Literally meaning:* Village Hidden by a Waterfall) is a village located in an unnamed country. In terms of the village's appearance, Takigakure seems to be based on mostly Southeast Asian aesthetics.

### **Hoshigakure**

**Hoshigakure** (星隠れの里, *Hoshigakure no Sato*, *Literally meaning:* Village Hidden Among Stars) was introduced during the Star Guard Mission. It is founded by the First Hoshikage. It is located in the Land of Bears.

### **Hachō Village**

The **Hachō Village** (ハチョウ村, *Hachō-mura*) is a village lying on the outskirts of the border of the Land of Fire. They are on very friendly terms with the Tonika Village.

### **Tsuchigumo Village**

The **Tsuchigumo village** is the village of the Tsuchigumo clan. It is led by the Tsuchigumo chief. This village is composed of the members of the Tsuchigumo clan who refused to follow En no Gyōja to Mount Katsuragi, and consequently denied the Tsuchigumo clan kinjutsu. They were made into pawns by the Magaki Group, who sought the kinjutsu.

### **Yumegakure**

**Yumegakure** (夢隠れの里, *Yumegakure no Sato*, *Literally meaning:* Village Hidden Among Dreams) is a small village located in a deep forest of a tiny country, near the border of the Land of Fire.