Country guide

[Steliana96]

Guide to the Bear Country
Country Information

Country Background:

The Bear country is one of the few countries in the world which harbors a shinobi village. The exact location of the Bear Country is unknown but it is marked by many forests and mountains. A chakra-enhancing meteor hit the country-side approximately 200 years ago. Those who found the meteor referred to it as a fallen star. A hidden village developed in the country based around the usage of this meteor's powers. The border of the country is marked by a crevice with poison fumes at the bottom. This crevice and poison helps deter any outsiders from invading and stealing the meteor.



Village Background:

Hidden Star is a lower shinobi village, being allied with Leaf. However it has not yet participated in the Chuunin Exam with the other countries. The ninja of this village meditate around the chakra enhancing meteor, honing and enhancing their chakra. The village is small and must rely on outside help when their manpower is not enough. Because of the importance of the star, children in the village are given names related to stars and constellations at birth.

Leadership

Country Leader:

The current leader of the Bear Country is unknown, presumably it is a daimyo.


Village Leader:

The current leader of Hidden Star is Akahoshi, who replaced Sandaime "Hoshikage" after his sudden death. The position of "Kage" comes even though the leader has not been recognized as such by the other Five Great Shinobi Nations. Most in the village believe the usage of the chakra enhancing meteor will make the village powerful enough to be on equal footing with the other five nations. Meaning it is only a matter of time before they are officially allowed to use the title "kage."

The Sites

Poison Gas Crevice:

This crevice runs along the border of the Bear Country. At the bottom is a mist of poison gas. The gas is to deter outside persons from attempting to invade the country and take the meteor.


Training Center:

This training center was built at the bottom of the meteor's impact crater. The meteor itself is housed inside. Hidden Star ninja will sit around the meteor to meditate and enhance their abilities. Situated beside the training center are sleeping quarters.


Village Aerial View:

Hidden Star village is situated amongst the trees and mountains of the Bear Country.


Administration Building:

This is the main administration building for Hidden Star Village. Current village leader Akahoshi works in this building.

Bear People and Items of Note

Meteor Strike:

Approximately 200 years ago, the chakra enhancing meteor struck the Bear Country. A training center was built inside the crater to house the meteor. Hidden Star ninja will sit around the meteor and meditate to gain its chakra enhancing abilities.

[Steliana96]

Guide to the Bird Country
Country Information

Country Background:

The Bird country is a remote impoverished nation but it is making strides to improve. It was once led by Daimyou Oowashi, but he suddenly died of an illness. He was replaced by his daughter Toki. The country itself shares borders with Wind, Earth and the Rain countries. The country appears to resemble most of the other countries, with forests, hills and streams dotting the landscape. The country is also home to many species of bird, giving rise to the country name. It does not appear to be currently allied with any countries, though country administrators have come to Konoha to request their help. The Bird Country also maintains no standing ninja army, but guardsmen trained in the shinobi arts work under the leadership of the Daimyou's chief strategist Koumei.


Leadership

Country Leader:

The current leader of the Bird Country is Toki, the daughter of the previous Daimyou Oowashi. Toki attained the position shortly after both her father and twin brother Sagi were murdered. Toki impersonated her brother while she sought the person responsible for their deaths. When the advisor Mousou was revealed as Houki, a wandering ninja, Toki found the target of her hatred. With the help of Naruto, Houki was defeated. Toki apologized to the country for lying to them but she was allowed to remain and lead the country.

The Sites

Capital City:

The capital city of the Bird Country sits next to Wataridori Lake.


Daimyou Compound:

The daimyou compound consists of lodging for the daimyou and her advisors. It contains a hot springs bath area. Below the compound are tunnel systems. One tunnel system leads from the daimyou's private residence to a shrine located on the edge of the city. The previous daimyou would use this tunnel to leave the compound and look upon the daily life of the citizens. The compound also contains underground waterways which connect to the nearby Wataridori Lake.

[Steliana96]

Guide to the Claw Country (Tsume no Kuni)
Country Information

Country Background:

Not much is known about the Claw Country. It is apparently a small nation that has had testy relations with the Fang Country.


Leadership

Country Leader:

The current leader of the Claw Country is a Daimyou. He led the country when it was on the brink of war with the Fang Country. The Claw Country Daiyou attempted to deliver information to his counterpart in Fang to avoid war, but the envelope was mistakenly changed in the mail. The Fang Country Daimyou instead got a hastily written faux Icha Icha book. Being a huge Icha Icha fan, this was just as well. He saw the document as a gift of peace and war was averted.

[Steliana96]

Guide to Craftsman Village (Takumi no Sato)
Country Information

Country Background:

Takumi Village resides in an unknown country. It was founded approximately one hundred years ago by a man named Seimei. Takumi is known for its skills in making weaponry. Many of which are sold to the ninja villages of the world. When the village faced hard times they requested help but they were ignored by the other shinobi villages. Certain skilled Takumi villagers grew resentful and felt the villages didn't respect them for all the help their weapons provided in the past.



Village Background:

"Hidden Craftsman" is not an official shinobi village. Four skilled craftsmen trained in the ninja arts wore the Takumi character on their forehead protector and sought to resurrect their village founder, Seimei. They planned to use his resurrection to seek revenge against the Five Great Shinobi Villages, who they felt did not appreciate their village. They operated under the name Shitenshounin, or the Four Heavenly Directions. This name stemmed from the characters in their name matching with the deities of the directions: Houki the Turtle, Kujaku the Bird, Ryuugan the Dragon and Suiko the Tiger.

Leadership

Village Leader:

The current leader of Takumi Village is unknown. The shinobi who adopted the "Hidden Craftsmen" name were led by Houki.

The Sites

Village Aerial View:

Takumi village is located in an unknown country. It was home to skilled craftsmen who made weapons for the other shinobi country villages.


Mausoleum:

This mausoleum housed the remains of village founder Seimei.

Craftsman People and Items of Note

Seimei:

Seimei was the skilled founder of Takumi no Sato. At some point in the past he died and villagers sought to resurrect him and use him as a weapon against the Five Great Shinobi Countries. They planned to extract chakra from Gaara's demon Shukaku to power him. Seimei was eventually brought back, but he was soon killed by Gaara.

[Steliana96]

Guide to the Demon Country (Oni no Kuni)
Country Information

Country Background:

The Demon Country was the home of the spirit of Mouryou, a spirit which grew out of the evil of man and the dark side of the country's shrine maiden. The shrine maiden had the duty to seal away Mouryou and keep his evil contained. The country was allied with the Fire Country, hiring its ninja for protection.


Leadership

Country Leader:

The current leader of the Demon Country is unknown. However the current Shrine Maiden was charged with protecting the country so she may maintain the official position of authority.

[Steliana96]

Guide to the Earth Country
Country Information

Country Background:

The Earth country is one of the unrevealed lands in Naruto. A one shot picture of Deidara potentially revealed a village in the background; it was marked by earthen cliff dwellings. The Earth Country is one of the larger ninja countries in the Naruto world, sharing borders with Waterfall, Grass, Rain and several unnamed countries. Because of Hidden Rock's warlike tendencies against the Fire Country, their invasion path leads them through smaller countries like Grass.



Village Background:

Hidden Rock is one of the more powerful ninja villages in the world, allowing its leader to be called a "Kage." As such it is one of the Five Great Shinobi Countries. Approximately 13 years before the start of the series, the village was at war with Leaf. Their invasion path took them through the Grass Country. The efforts of the man who became Fourth Hokage and his team consisting of Hatake Kakashi, Uchiha Obito and Rin helped turned back their assault.

Leadership

Country Leader:

The current leader of the Earth Country is unknown, presumably it is a daimyo.


Village Leader:

The current leader of Hidden Rock is Tsuchikage. Nothing is known about this individual at this point in time.

The Sites

Village View:

This image of Deidara in front of earthen structures was the "splash" image for chapter 263. Fitting with the earth theme, this may be either Hidden Rock itself, or another country village.

Earth People and Items of Note

Deidara:

A missing-nin from Hidden Rock, Deidara joined Akatsuki. Deidara uses clay to fashion explosive works of art. Mysterious mouths are on the palm of each hand, it is unknown if this is a Hidden Rock bloodline or a hidden technique of Deidara's.


Kamizuru Clan:

Years previously the Kamizuru Clan was a prominent clan in Hidden Rock. They took the forefront leading an attack against Konoha. They were met by the Aburame clan and stopped before they could enter Konoha. Thousands died in the battle, and the clan fell on hard times. Years later clan members Jibachi, Kurobachi and Suzumebachi would travel to the Bikouchuu birthing grounds to locate the legendary tracking bug in the hope it would help restore their

[Steliana96]

Guide to the Fang Country (Kiba no Kuni)
Country Information

Country Background:

Not much is known about the Fang Country. It is a small country surrounded by mountains, it is most easily accessible by river.


Leadership

Country Leader:

The current leader of the Fang Country is a Daimyou. He led the country when it was on the brink of war with the Claw Country. The Claw Country Daiyou attempted to deliver information to his counterpart to avoid war, the envelope was mistakenly changed in the mail. The Fang Country Daimyou instead got a hastily written faux Icha Icha book. Being a huge Icha Icha fan, this was just as well. He saw the document as a gift of peace and war was averted.

The Sites

Daimyou Compound:

This compound is located at the base of the river which runs through the country. This is the daimyou's residence, and armed guards are stationed around it.


Fang Mountains:

Two mountains jut up from the landscape in the distance behind the compound. They probably gave the country its name.

[Steliana96]

Guide to the Fire Country
Country Information

Country Background:

The Fire country is marked by forests, helping to give rise to its ninja village "hiding in its leaves". The Fire Country is one of the largest ninja countries in the Naruto world, sharing borders with more countries than any other. It borders Grass, Rain, Waterfall, Sound, River, Tea and several unnamed countries. The Fire Country is home to many cities, including Konohagakue no Sato, Tanzaku Gai, Otafuku Gai, Otakame Sato and Tokkuriji.



Village Background:

Hidden Leaf is one of the most powerful ninja villages in the world. The village was founded approximately 65 years before the start of the series when several ninja clans came together. These included the Senju Clan of the Forest, which included the brothers who would become First and Second Hokage and the Uchiha Clan under Uchiha Madara. In the beginning the gathered group was essentially a ninja unit; with the First's death his younger brother established the village infrastructure. By the end of the first Ninja World War, Konoha had grown and its citizenship diversified. Konoha has a strong tradition of protecting its own and the Kyuubi attack provided the best example. The villages Fourth Hokage gave his life by trapping the Kyuubi within Uzumaki Naruto. Later on the Third Hokage would also give his life in battle protecting the village. Over the years Konoha has gone to war with many of its neighboring countries, but new ties of alliance have been forged in recent years. Currently Konoha is allied with fellow Great Shinobi Country Sand, and lower shinobi countries Grass, Rain and Waterfall.

Leadership

Country Leader:

The current leader of the Fire Country is a daimyo. While he himself has never been seen, he is consulted when a new Hokage is chosen. His wife uses the services of Konoha to do such tasks as finding her lost cat. The daimyou is protected by the elite Twelve Guardians.


Village Leader:

The current leader of Hidden Leaf is Tsunade. One of the Legendary Sannin, she had left the village after the deaths of her boyfriend and younger brother. She was convinced to come back by Jiraiya and Naruto. She finds the clerical side of being Hokage boring, but she appreciates the duty of protecting her village with her very life.

Events of Note

Kyuubi Attack (Approximately 12 years before the series start):

A beast of horror and myth who could level forests with his tails, the nine-tailed fox demon attacked Hidden Leaf while apparently under the control of Uchiha Madara. The demon had the power to level forests with its tails and the village ninja fought a losing battle to try and stop its fury. It took the sacrifice of the Fourth Hokage to stop the beasts rampage and imprison it within the newborn baby Naruto.


Uchiha Massacre (Approximately 4 years before the series start):

Uchiha Itachi was a respected and highly skilled member of the Legendary Uchiha Clan, the holders of the Sharingan Kekkei Genkai. Itachi desired more power and wanted to push himself. He felt his clan were not utilizing their powers as best they could. One night he murdered them all save his brother Sasuke in an effort to test his capacity. He also used the massacre to awaken the legendary Mangekyou Sharingan, an advanced variation of the Sharingan which few had attained. Though Itachi first claimed to do the evil deed himself, he later admitted he was assisted by legendary clan member Uchiha Madara. Itachi hoped to drive Sasuke to obtain Mangekyou himself. Itachi hoped he could then steal Sasuke's eyes, as original Mangekyou eyes will lead to blindness, while Mangekyou eyes stolen from kin will become everlasting and avoid the ill effects.


Sand and Sound Invasion (Approximately 1 year into the series):

Orochimaru was a Konoha missing-nin who sought revenge against his former country. Allying with Sand, he exploited their ninja to help him attack Konoha. Orochimaru managed fight his former sensei the current Hokage Sarutobi. The Sandaime Hokage was forced to utilize the suicidal Death God Technique to stop Orochimaru. It failed though and only managed to remove Orochimaru's ability to use jutsu. Konoha lost many ninja in the invasion but managed to win with Orochimaru's injury and the arrival of the Sannin Jiraiya. Sand later learned their Kazekage had been killed by Orochimaru earlier, and he had drawn them into the conflict through impersonation without them even being aware. Konoha became severly weakened due to the conflict, and was forced to utilize most all their ninja on missions to not look weak to their enemies.

The Sites

Administration Building:

This is the main Konoha administration building. The Hokage has offices here. The building has meeting rooms for the ninja and for the Hokage's personal advisors. It is located below the Hokage rock face monument.


Dango Shop:

Specializing in serving dango (sweet dumplings) this shop was visited by Itachi and Kisame when they came to Konoha looking for Naruto.


Kakashi's Apartment:

This small one room apartment is home to Hatake Kakashi. He keeps several mementos in his room, including pictures of his team, and his former teammates Obito, Rin and Yondaime Hokage. It's also home to his plant Mr. Ukki.



Sasuke's Apartment:

This bedroom belongs to Uchiha Sasuke, it sits on the second floor of his parents home in the Uchiha Compound. It is unknown how much of the former clan compound is left uninhabited since the clan massacre wiped out most of its inhabitants.


Naruto's Apartment:

This building houses Naruto's apartment on the top floor. Spacious in size, Naruto has a sleeping area, kitchen and dining room.


Konoha Military Police Corps Headqurters:

Originally founded by the ancestors of the Uchiha clan, the Konoha Military Police Corps are responsible for maintaining city peace and law enforcement.


Bookstore:

This local bookstore is one of Naruto's favorite places to sneak into to further his study of the female form.


Hokage Mountain:

Commemorating all Hokage who have served the village, the Hokage mountain memorial bears the faces of past and current Hokage. Shortly after becoming Hokage, Tsunade's face was added to the mountain.


Yamanaka Flower Shop:

This is the flower shop the Yamanaka family operates in the Leaf Village.


Ichiraku Ramen:

One of Naruto's favorite places to eat, Ichiraku ramen is a small food stand specializing in Ramen. The shop is run by man named Teuchi and his daughter Ayame.


Konoha Hospital:

Serving the medical needs of the village, Konoha Hospital helps the injured ninja and civilians which live in the village.


Public Park:

This public park features trees and a long staircase. Lee and Neji were at this location when Shikamaru was building his team to chase Sasuke. Lee stated he wanted to be able to climb the vast stairs by himself to train after his surgery.


Otafuku Gai (Homely Woman Town):

Located approximately 12 kilometers from Konoha is Otafuku City, home of the Fun Fun Street kanrakugai (pleasure quarter). It is marked by many hotels and entertainment venues. This was Naruto and Jiraiya's first stop on their journey to find Tsunade.


Crater city:

The second stop on Naruto and Jiraiya's travels to find Tsunade, this city is located in a ground depression. Like many cities in the region, this city hold festivals throughout the year.


Tanzaku Gai:

Tanzaku Gai is the location of the historic Tanzaku castle. Watching over the city, the gigantic castle stood for many years until Orochimaru destroyed it. The city itself was left untouched.


Shuumatsu no Tani (Valley of the End):

A vast statuary waterfall marking the border between the Fire Country and the Rice Field Country, the Valley marked a landmark where two shinobi fought great battle in the past. It is said the destruction was so great it tore the earth asunder, creating the very valley. The figure on the Fire Country side is the First Hokage, while the figure on the opposite side is Uchiha Madara.


Fire Temple:

This temple is home to specially trained monks. One such monk was Chiriku, one of the daimyou's Twelve Guardians. The temple was later destroyed by Akatsuki, it is unclear if it will be rebuilt.


Hokage Memorial:

This large fire monument is a memorial to the previous Hokage. It is unknown whether the monument was dedicated specifically to the Third Hokage, or whether it is meant to provide a more accessible memorial than the general Hokage mountain monument. This memorial overlooks the graves of other ninja who fell in battle like the Third's son Asuma.


Abandoned City:

This modern abandoned city is the base of operations for the supply shop of the woman known as the Elder Cat. She and her ninja cats have long operated this shop which was used by the Uchiha Clan.

Fire People and Items of Note

Gamabunta:

The personal summon of Jiraiya and Naruto, Gamabunta is the boss of all frogs. His blood contract with both Jiraiya and Naruto allows him to be called upon anytime Leaf and the Fire Country are in danger.


Katsuyu:

The personal summon of Tsunade, Katsuyu is the head of all slug summons. Her blood contract with Tsunade allows her to be called upon anytime Leaf and the Fire Country are in danger.


Jiraiya:

One of the Legendary Sannin, Jiraiya was offered the job of Fifth Hokage but declined. Ever since the death of the Third, Jiraiya has spent more time around Konoha to help take on missions and duties for the sake of the village.


Uzumaki Naruto:

The Jinchuuriki (demon vessel) for Konoha, Naruto has become a skilled ninja who seeks to protect his home, friends, and other demon vessels in the world like himself.


Uchiha Itachi:

A highly dangerous S-Rank criminal, Itachi fled Konoha after he massacred his clan. He joined with the criminal organization Akatsuki and helps them in their search for Jinchuuriki. Itachi hopes his younger brother Sasuke will one day attain the Mangekyou as well. Sasuke has sworn himself to gain enough power to one day finally kill Itachi.

[Steliana96]

Guide to the Forest Country (Mori no Kuni)
Country Information

Country Background:

Not much is known about the Forest Country. Shinobazu, a criminal group made up of disenfranchised ninja carried out criminal acts in the country. When one of their members Gantetsu was captured, he was to be sent to the country capital to be tried. From the Fire Country, the country is accessible only through a river. The country is on friendly terms with Fire and uses the services of its ninja village.


Leadership

Country Leader:

The current leader of the Forest Country is unknown, presumably it is a Daimyou.

The Sites

River:

This river is one of the only access points to the Forest Country from Fire.

[Steliana96]

Guide to the Grass Country
Country Information

Country Background:

The Grass country contains some of the more widely varried landscapes in the series, with forests, grasslands, mountains, rivers and bamboo thickets dotting it. The country shares borders with Earth, Fire, Rain and Waterfall. Because the country lies between Earth and Fire, it has been in invaded by the Earth Country during previous ninja wars. To avoid Earth gaining a foothold next to the Fire Country border, many Leaf ninja came to Hidden Grass's aid during the war. This resulted in many skimishes taking place within its borders.



Village Background:

Hidden Grass is a lower shinobi village, being allied with Leaf, Rain, Sand and Waterfall. As such it participates in the Chuunin Exam with these countries. In the Chuunin Exam Naruto participated in, no Grass team made it beyond the second exam test. The Genin team from Grass who made it to the second Chuunin Exam test is most noteworthy for being killed and impersonated by Orochimaru as he infiltrated the exam. Also of note is Orochimaru's sword Kusanagi (Grass Cutter), it is unknown if this blade has any ties to the country or village.

Leadership

Country Leader:

The current leader of the Grass Country is unknown; the pictured individual is one of the feudal lords from the country. He is probably not the head daimyo however.


Village Leader:

The current leader of Hidden Grass is unknown. Because it is a lower shinobi country, its leader can not call itself "Kage".

The Sites

Giant Bamboo Forest:

One of the unique landscapes of the series, a giant bamboo thicket forest marks a portion of the country. It was here that Hatake Kakashi, Uchiha Obito and Rin were ambushed on their way to Kannabi Bridge.


Kannabi Bridge:

The Kannabi Bridge was destroyed approximately 13 years before the start of the series. One of the major supply line paths for the invading Hidden Stone ninja, its destruction helped turn the tide of their war against them.


Tenchi Bridge:

The Tenchi (Heaven and Earth) Bridge was a meeting point between Akatsuki member Sasori and his spy from Hidden Sound. The bridge spans two cliffs with a ravine extending far below.

Grass People and Items of Note

Zetsu:

A missing-nin from Hidden Grass, Zetsu joined Akatsuki. Zetsu appears to be plant-like in appearance and skill usage, it is unknown if this is a Hidden Grass bloodline or a hidden technique of Zetsu's.

[Steliana96]

Guide to the Honey Country (Mitsu no Kuni)
Country Information

Country Background:

Not much is known about the Honey Country. Lady Kayo, a representative from the country has had dealings with the Red Bean Country. When she and her party went missing in the Neck Country, ninja from Konoha were dispatched to find her.


Leadership

Country Leader:

The current leader of the Honey Country is unknown, presumably it is Lady Kayo or her husband.

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