Hi no Kuni, also known as the “the Land of Fire” or more simply as the "Fire Country", is one of the five great countries in the Sagaverse. The Land of Fire is governed largely by a Daimyō, while smaller towns and villages may be internally governed by independently elected officials. The Land of Fire hosts one of the great shinobi villages of the world, Konohagakure no Sato, also known as the “Hidden Leaf Village”. The residents of the Land of Fire are appropriately oriented toward the element of fire, typically experiencing warm climates and bright weather. The Land of Fire experiences long springs and summers, and moderate autumns and winters.

The Land of Fire is known for massive, lush forests and expansive, clear rivers that is home to a broad spectrum of fauna and flora. The Land of Fire also hosts large stretches of tall mountains, vast fields and grassland, as well as a plethora of farmland throughout the territory. The people of the Land of Fire are generally known to be warm, welcoming, and friendly, and tend to act in a communal fashion for the betterment of their societies. This communal mindset is partly due to their life philosophy, “the Will of Fire”, that has been present in Konohagakure since its founding.

The Land of Fire is broken up into four main provinces: The Shina Province, where Konohagakure is located, is the most populated and claims the northeastern portion of the Land of Fire. The Akemi Province is the second most populous and claims the northwestern portion, followed closely by the Taika Province and the Kogeta province, who claim the southwestern and southeastern portions of Hi no Kuni respectively.

The land area of the entirety of Hi no Kuni is approximately 1,427,205 km². In terms of contiguous land area, the Land of Fire is third in size behind the Land of Earth and the Land of Wind.

The Land of Fire shares a western border with the Lands of Rivers, Rain, and Grass. It shares a northern border with the Lands of Waterfalls, Iron, Sound, Hot Water, and is connected to the Land of Waves by the Great Naruto Bridge. To the south, the Land of Fire shares a border with the Land of Noodles and the Land of Tea.

The Land of Fire consists of three main biomes; temperate broadleaf forest, subtropical rainforest, and temperate steppe. Central Land of Fire and Eastern Land of Fire are covered in temperate broadleaf forest. Southern Land of Fire subtropical rainforest. Northwestern Land of Fire begins to develop into a temperate steppe biome the closer to the border toward the Land of Grass. Portions of the Land of Fire are large stretches of grassland as well, although forests dominate over 85% of the land area. Additionally, the Land of Fire is home to over 20,000km of rivers, and hosts three large freshwater lakes and over four dozen smaller freshwater lakes.

The majority of the Land of Fire’s climate is warm-summer humid continental, with some coastal portions receiving a more warm to hot-summer mediterranean climate. The southern peninsula of the Land of Fire experiences a mixture of warm-summer humid continental and humid subtropical climates. Most of the taller mountains have an alpine climate, while some of the flatter steppes to the northwest merely experience a cold semi-arid climate. The Shina, Akemi, and Taika provinces all experience mild snowfall in the winter, while the peninsula south of Hi no Kuni’s neck experiences little to no snowfall.

Konohagakure no Sato, also known as the “Hidden Leaf Village”, was the first Shinobi village to have been founded and is the current capital of the Fire Country. Located just northeast of central Hi no Kuni, Konohagakure rests at the foot of a mountain, deep within a dense forest. In the earliest days of the village’s lifespan, leaders known as Hokage would have their visage carved upon the mountain shortly after rising to their status. In more recent times, the tradition has been reserved for Hokage of special merit as an attempt to preserve the face of the mountain.

Konohagakure is approximately seven kilometers in diameter, spanning a full fourteen kilometers from one end of the wall to the opposite. The majority of the village’s architecture is constructed from wood, typically painted bright colours, and stone. Roofs are made from wood and tile, also styled brightly. Countless rivers of varying size run throughout the village, resulting in a large amount of bridges.

Population: 6.8 Million
Military Demographic

Active: 1.15 Million career (approx. 17% of total population)
Reserve: 150k (includes non-shinobi)
Shinobi: 76k

Shinobi Demographic Breakdown

Genin: 29,700
Chūnin: 22,500
Special Jōnin: 16,500
Jōnin: 7,300

Economy: Good, on the incline
Relationship with Akagahara: Good

Konohagakure has a stable, independently supported economy, that is fueled by abundant natural resources and high productivity. The village itself is a large importer of goods, ranging from large varieties of metal both base and precious from Tsuchi no Kuni to goods such as exotic fish from Mizu no Kuni.

Konohagakure produces its own base metals, precious metals, lumber, oil, batteries, and the largest variety of crops of the five Great Shinobi Countries. It is also the world’s largest supplier of furs and cotton fabric. Konohagakure has large manufacturers that produce the majority of their goods such as appliances, medical equipment, or weaponry.

The Land of Fire actively engages in trade with the Land of Earth and the Land of Water, usually exporting their myriad of crops and lumber and importing luxury resources or manual labour.

Personal transportation is dominated by foot traffic that traverse a network of 37,200 km of public roads. Major trade routes that travel from each town within Hi no Kuni, with each trade road leading from Konohagakure.

The transport of goods in Hi no Kuni is done by horse drawn wagons and carriages. High capacity storage scrolls are used to increase the efficiency and quantity of transportation. Scrolls are examined at customs stations before entering villages or towns, as well as by roaming patrols of shinobi throughout the country, primarily on major trade routes.

Power for appliances and communications is done through clay pot batteries that are easily attainable and replaceable. These batteries power everything from simple electronics like household lights and appliances to long range telecommunication.

Hi no Kuni has a broad and diverse culture that has been developed and refined over the centuries since its founding. The Will of Fire is a lasting reminder of the manner in which Land of Fire natives conduct themselves. They are a very communal people that are quick to rise to the defense of others. While Konohagakure itself is not an especially militaristic village compared to others, their military is still highly regarded and respected, with shinobi being held in high esteem to civilians.

Since taking strides toward a more peaceful lifestyle, Konohagakure has seen large increases in art, both traditional and performance, literature, and music, as well as exhibitions, cultural projects, and various infrastructure luxuries as the result of governmental support.

In addition to this, the Land of Fire is rife with festivals. Natives will use almost any excuse to engage in festivities or celebration, and have a myriad of festivals throughout the year. Some festivals are even unique to single towns in the Land of Fire.. It would not be unusual to travel from one town to another and experience two entirely different celebrations on the same day.

Sakura Festival - A Spring festival, celebrated anually when the Sakura trees in Konohagakure begin to blossom and mark the start of spring. Konohagakure hosts the largest Sakura Festival in the Fire Country, where vendors from neighboring villages and even countries will come to sell their wares. In more recent times, the festival has become increasingly more commercialized, however many still enjoy the age-old traditions while incorporating the newer customs into the festivities.

Quarrel Festival - An annual celebration named after the classic quarrels of dog lovers and cat lovers that originates from a village bordering the Land of Fire and the Land of Hot Water. Residents dispute whether or not it was a dog or cat god that dug up the town’s hot springs. Despite the dispute having been settled long ago with a clever genjutsu that combined both cat and dog into a creature equal parts of both, thusly dubbed “Cattog”, the festival persists to give thanks. The jovial nature of the festival caught the interest of travelers and tradesmen, and has since spread to Konohagakure and various other areas as a way to celebrate their furry friends. This festival takes place on the first day of summer, and lasts three days.

Minori Festival - An autumn festival that originally preceded the start of the summer crop harvest that has since been moved to mid-autumn. In present day, the week long festival is primarily intended for the younger generation, who dress themselves in costume on the last day of the celebration to ward off evil and malevolent spirits. The rest of the festivities include long stretches of street vendors and traditional games with prizes.

Rinne Festival - A Winter holiday originating from Konohagakure and possibly celebrated in other parts of the world. Originally a time for praying for the deceased, the Rinne Festival has since evolved into a holiday where friends and loved ones exchange gifts alongside honouring the memories of their fallen. On the last night of the festival, lanterns will be released into the sky, commemorating and honouring the deceased. Lanterns will be scattered and throughout graveyards and streets, and remain lit for the duration of the week-long holiday. This festival takes place during the third week of the second month of Winter.

During the Warring States Period, ninja were organised into small mercenary clans that knew nothing but battle. The two strongest of these clans were the Senju and the Uchiha, who had warred against each other for their entire histories. Eventually, intending to end the countless bloodshed, Hashirama Senju used his position as leader of his clan to create a truce with the Uchiha clan. The Senju, the Uchiha, and their affiliated clans formed the first shinobi village: Konohagakure — a name invented by Madara himself. Other villages would soon start being formed following Konoha's example, ending the Warring States Period.

Hashirama used his Wood Release abilities to produce much of the village's infrastructure. This ability and his ideals were two of the reasons he was chosen to become the village's leader: the Hokage. Madara, however, feared that the Senju would oppress his clan and attempted to gather support to overthrow Hashirama. No Uchiha would help, forcing him to take on Hashirama by himself. Madara was ultimately defeated at what would be called the Valley of the End and he was believed to have died. As a result of the battle, Konoha came into possession of the Nine-Tails. To contain its enormous power, the village began its trend of sealing the beast within the Uzumaki, a clan that the Senju and thus the rest of Konoha had close ties with.

Since its founding, Konohagakure has seen its fair share of trials and tribulations. They have endured four Great Shinobi World Wars, a tailed beast attack, broken treaties with Kumogakure, the near entire genocide of the Uchiha clan, and several near-destruction events that had almost wiped the village off the map, such as Pain’s attack that left Konohagakure a shadow of its former self. Despite this, the Hidden Leaf’s Will of Fire has persisted, and they have rebuilt, each time growing larger than before.

Konohagakure has enjoyed a long period of relative peace since the last large-scale destruction event at the hands of Pain. After the passing of Uzumaki, Naruto as the seventh Hokage, the three that followed ushered in a long age of peace and prosperity for the Land of Fire. Konohagakure has enjoyed this era of peace since the eighth Hokage took up the mantle despite a few minor hiccups along the way, such as the Gokage Summit called by the thirteenth Hokage, Takao Kimura, which ultimately lead to the death of the twelfth Tsuchikage. Another minor conflict arose when a rogue shinobi named Tame attacked and killed the fourteenth Hokage, Tatsumaru Uchiha. Tatsumaru damaged a large portion of Konohagakure while acting in its defense, which has long since been repaired.

1. Senju, Hashirama (First Hokage, deceased) {NPC}
2. Senju, Tobirama (Second Hokage, deceased) {NPC}
3. Sarutobi, Hiruzen (Third Hokage, deceased) {NPC}
4. Namikaze, Minato (Fourth Hokage, deceased) {NPC}
5. Senju, Tsunade (Fifth Hokage, deceased) {NPC}
6. Hatake, Kakashi (Sixth Hokage, deceased) {NPC}
7. Uzumaki, Naruto (Seventh Hokage, deceased) {NPC}
8. Hyūga, Azami (Eighth Hokage, deceased) {NPC}
9. Yamanaka, Morie (Ninth Hokage, deceased) {NPC}
10. Akimichi, Jun’ichi (Tenth Hokage, deceased) {NPC}
11. Hyūga, Sebasu (Eleventh Hokage, location unknown)
12. Inuzuka, Kenta (Twelfth Hokage, retired)
13. Kimura, Takao (Thirteenth Hokage, retired)
14. Uchiha, Tatsumaru (Fourteenth Hokage, deceased)
15. Uzumaki, Takeshi (Fifteenth Hokage, location unknown)
16. Namikaze, Mitsuhide (Sixteenth Hokage, deceased)
17. Sarutobi, Mitsuo (Seventeenth Hokage, defected)
18. Senju, Sousetsu (Eighteenth Hokage, location unknown)
19. Chi, Rippa (Nineteenth Hokage, current)

The Land of Fire is made up of four main provinces, each of which have their own capitol, economy, and industry. While these towns are largely independent, they still rely on the aid of Konohagakure, and employ the services of the shinobi trained there.

Akagahara is one of the two oldest towns in the Fire Country besides Konohagakure itself, the other being Yakekoge. Of the two, Akagahara is the eldest. Not unlike Konohagakure, Akagahara is situated at the base of a large mountain, which is the source of one of their two major natural resources. Akagahara is the the de jure capital located in the Akemi Province, and is where the Fire Daimyō resides.

The town itself is split into two sections; the main castle, which was constructed with blackened stone, and the rest of the town. A large castle sits at the top, which is the home of the Fire Daimyō. The castle itself is inscribed with powerful fūinjutsu, leaving it invulnerable to even the strongest techniques from the outside. The castle itself is heavily guarded by both shinobi contracted from Konohagakure as well as a host of samurai.

Akagahara is the Fire Country’s largest exporter of precious metals such as gold and silver, as well as the largest exporter of rice. The mines that run through the mountains behind Akagahara span on for several kilometers, and include several natural caves. The paddies that surround the townscape are accompanied by various other fields that host a myriad of crops.

The majority of citizenry in Akagahara is made up of miners, farmers, miscellaneous tradesmen and tradeswomen, stationed shinobi from Konoha, or hired samurai and mercenaries.

Demographics
Population: 50,000
Population Density: 347/km²
Land Area: 144/km²

Economy: Fair, on the incline
Relationship with Konohagakure: Good

Yakekoge is one of the two oldest towns in the Fire Country besides Konohagakure, the other being the elder Akagahara. Yakekoge is situated in a valley between two large mountains in the Shina Province, north of Konohagakure. Prior to the construction of high-traffic trade roads that lead to the city, which travels directly through the southern and western mountains instead of going over as they previously had, Yakekoge was nearly impossible to travel to and trade with.

Given the age of Yakekoge, the buildings are primarily old in terms of architecture style. Many of them are still standing from the town’s initial formation.

Yakekoge is the leading provider of base metals in the Fire Country, supplying the majority of iron and steel as both raw resources as well as manufacturing them into weaponry. The majority of the population in Yakekoge are miners, smiths, and labourers.

Demographics
Population: 30,000
Population Density: 48/km²
Land Area: 625/km²

Economy: Moderate, on the decline
Relationship with Konohagakure: Good
Relationship with Akagahara: Poor

Tanzaku Gai is a large town-city located southwest of Konohagakure in the Taika Province. It is the third most populous town in the Fire Country, after Teichaku and Kasai respectively. Tanzaku is the fourth oldest town in the Fire Country, after Konohagakure, Akagahara, and Yakekoge respectively. Tanzaku Gai is a large trading hub in the Fire Country, though not the largest. It primarily exports crops that are farmed in the vicinity of the city, as well as labour.

The buildings in Tanzaku Gai are newer and more modern compared to the older towns. The majority of the population are farmers, labourers, or possess miscellaneous occupations.

Demographics
Population: 150,000
Population Density: 3,000/km²
Land Area: 50/km²

Economy: Moderate, on the incline
Relationship with Konohagakure: Moderate
Relationship with Akagahara: Good

Otafuki Gai is a small town located east of Konohagakure in the Kogeta Province. Otafuki is a highly religious and culture-rich town that is home to a myriad of different festivals and celebrations, boasting at least one per month. They export very little and have been in a recession for several years as a result of their lack of industry, typically receiving large amounts of support from Konohagakure.

The architecture in Otafuki is intentionally styled to be traditional. The majority of the population are monks or general labourers.

Demographics
Population: 40,000
Population Density: 90/km²
Land Area: 441/km²

Economy: Recession, on the incline
Relationship with Konohagakure: Excellent
Relationship with Akagahara: Poor

Kasai is a large town-city located at the southwestern sea border of the Fire Country in the Taika Province. It is the second most populous town after Teichaku, not counting Konohagakure. Kasai’s economy is currently suffering a recession due to a lack of ability to export their goods via boat as a result of an increase in piracy. Their poor economy has left them unable to afford the same protection that the vastly more successful Teichaku manages.

The architecture of Kasai is modern, typically employing the usage of wood, stone, and plaster. The majority of the population are general labourers and seafarers such as fishermen or naval tradesmen.

Demographics
Population: 240,000
Population Density: 2,666/km²
Land Area: 90/km²

Economy: Recession, stagnated
Relationship with Konohagakure: Poor
Relationship with Akagahara: Poor

Teichaku is a large town-city located south of Konohagakure on the southern sea border of the Fire Country in the Kogeta Province. Teichaku is the most populous town in the Fire Country, after Konohagakure itself. While Teichaku exports very little, their economy thrives by being the first destination for imports from international waters bound for the Fire Country. Additionally, Teichaku is the chief manufacturer of boats for Hi no Kuni. It has become a the second largest trading hub in the Fire Country after Konohagakure. They have avoided the piracy issue that plagued Kasai through the use of clever trade routes and employment of mercenaries and shinobi escorts. Teichaku is also a very culture rich location that enjoys a myriad of festivals and celebrations.

Teichaku’s architecture is very modern, being the youngest city in the Fire Country. The majority of the population are general labourers, craftsmen, tradesmen, or seafarers such as naval tradesmen.

Demographics
Population: 250,000
Population Density: 5,102/km²
Land Area: 49/km²

Economy: Excellent, on the incline
Relationship with Konohagakure: Excellent
Relationship with Akagahara: Moderate

Heiwa is a moderately sized port town located on on the western coast of Hi no Kuni’s neck in the Kogeta Province. Heiwa is the third youngest town in Hi no Kuni, after Kasai and Teichaku respectively. The location of the town has left them fairly inefficient to be a trade hub, which has lead to the town exploring alternatives toward benefiting their economy. Heiwa is known for their beautiful women, which lead to the town developing the largest fashion culture in Hi no Kuni.

The majority of the population in Heiwa are seafarers, general labourers, and miscellaneous citizenry.

Demographics
Population: 80,000
Population Density: 321/km²
Land Area: 249/km²

Economy: Good, stagnated
Relationship with Konohagakure: Moderate
Relationship with Akagahara: Excellent

Shinwato is a cultural hub known to house the best healers, both spiritual and otherwise, in the entirety of Hi no Kuni outside of Konohagakure itself. Shinwato is located at the southernmost end of the peninsula in the Kogeta Province. The town is situated on top of a mountain.

The architecture of Shinwato is traditional, and made primarily of wood and stone or concrete. The majority of the population in Shinwato are healers of varying practice and general labourers.

Demographics
Population: 15,000
Population Density: 100/km²
Land Area: 150/km²

Economy: Good, stagnated
Relationship with Konohagakure: Moderate
Relationship with Akagahara: Good

Mizu no Kuni, or “the Land of Water”, is one of the five great countries in the Sagaverse. The Land of Water is governed largely by a Daimyō, while smaller towns and villages may be internally governed by independently elected officials. The Land of Water hosts one of the great shinobi villages of the world, Kirigakure no Sato, also known as the “Hidden Mist Village”. The residents of the Land of Water are appropriately oriented toward the element of water.

The Land of Water is known for their large amounts of rainfall, resulting in locations that range from rainforest to everglade to swamp within a relatively short distance of one another. The Land of Water also sports a number of small mountains, and some dry areas that are usually dedicated toward the Water Country’s minimal agriculture.

The land area of the entirety of Mizu no Kuni is approximately 882,360 km². In terms of contiguous land area, the Land of water is third in size behind the Land of Earth and the Land of Wind.

The Land of Water does not share a land border with any other nation, however they do share a sea border with the Land of Fire, the Land of Noodles, and the Land of Waves.

The Land of Water consists of two main biomes; subtropical and tropical rainforest. Smaller biomes are scattered throughout the main island and the smaller bordering islands, such as tropical broadleaf forest in the western islands. The majority of the Land of Water’s climate is humid subtropical, cold subtropical, and tropical, with some southern coastal regions receiving a warm-humid mediterranean climate. The mountains in the Water Country are relatively small and thus do not receive especially cold climates. In general, the Land of Water’s environment is very damp, and more often than not cold or near-cold.

Kirigakure no Sato, also known as the “Hidden Mist Village” is the current capital of the Land of Water. Located just shy of the western sea border on the main Mizu no Kuni landmass, Kirigakure is a vast improvement on how fate has treated them in the past. The village is often shrouded in a thick mist, giving it the name.

Kirigakure’s architecture primarily consists of stone and clay, with wood being used scarcely. Roofs are constructed from clay and to a lesser extent wood in traditional curved tile rooftops. Within the city there are many districts, markets, shops, cherry groves organized with residential districts furthest out with interspersed local markets and shopping areas before moving into the central shopping district further towards the centre breaking for several large cherry groves and parks. In the innermost circle are the mansions of the villages' noble houses as well as ninja academies and barracks' before finally the administration building standing as a pillar at the City Centre.

Population: 4.9 Million
Military Demographic

Active: 1.3 Million career (approx. 17% of total population)
Reserve: 720k (includes non-shinobi)
Shinobi: 65k

Shinobi Demographic Breakdown

Genin: 43,000
Chūnin: 14,300
Special Jōnin: 5,000
Jōnin: 2,700

Economy: Good, on the incline

Kirigakure has a heavily trade-based economy that is mostly supported by their large quantities of exported naval-based goods to other countries. Their fishing trade is the most prosperous, a direct result of their location upon a large archipelago, and is followed by extensive arms dealing and labour exporting. Their farm trade is considerably lesser, and mostly used for internal trading among other towns that help maintain stability for their independent economy.

Kirigakure tends to import the goods that they are incapable of manufacturing en masse themselves, such as metal for their arms trading and also for recreational goods such as appliances.

Transportation is dominated by foot traffic that traverse a large network of public roads. Major trade routes to Kiri start at one of Mizu no Kuni’s multitude of port cities and trading hubs, eventually making its way to the village proper. Much traffic is done over public roads of cobble or sandstone, or across the islands via ferry or gondola. Within the city, foot traffic still dominates as the main form of transportation, however gondolas and smaller vessels often use Kirigakure’s many aqueducts and waterways to transport goods and personnel around the city without bodily obstruction.

Kirigakure is a hard working, militaristic culture, where membership of the military is a highly coveted social position of great communal virtue. In the past, they were known as the Bloody Mist because of barbaric customs that included pitting shinobi students against one another in fights to the death. Although the village has made strides toward becoming more civilized in their methods, remnants of the Bloody Mist remain, seen most clearly in the treatment of criminals within their nation and the eye-for-an-eye policy in place of proper prison systems.

Kirigakure is second to Konohagakure when it comes to celebrations and festivals, hosting their own myriad of holidays throughout the year. From honouring their fallen to celebrating the start of autumn, many of Kirigakure’s festivals are traditional and old fashioned.

The Infinity Fete - A festival celebrated annually that begins in spring. As the rice and fruit trees come into bloom, aromas waft about the entirety of Water Country, gracing both the landlocked towns and greeting small islands with a laced sea breeze. The holiday celebrates food and involves plentiful picnics, wine, and casual familial gatherings.

Clear Seas Festival - A festival celebrated annually that begins in early autumn. Many boats will join together on the seas just outside docks and ports, allowing sailors to celebrate alongside the shore. Traditional games and festivities flood the streets alongside stalls and vendors. The festival ends with fireworks over the sea.

Solemn Week - A festival celebrated annually in observance of the autumnal equinox, when the Winter Mist Cherry trees start to bloom. It's a formal commemoration of fallen comrades and all Kiri war heroes, but also represents the rebirth that winter heralds. A time both of pensive thought and promise for the future, traditional shinobi sparring with Academy graduates is customarily held in front of the monuments of the dead.

Kiri was founded after the Warring States Period by the First Mizukage. Shortly after the formation of their villages, Konoha's First Hokage sold tailed beasts to Kiri as a sign of friendship and to ensure a balance of power amongst their new villages. The goodwill this fostered was short-lived, and Kiri would become involved in different conflicts over the following decades. The Second Mizukage and Iwa's Second Tsuchikage who would clash against one another countless times eventually met in what would be their final battle and killed each other.

Over time, the village became infamously known as the "Village of the Bloody Mist" for a cruel reason — in the Kirigakure Academy, students wishing to graduate had to fight to the death, and only those who survived could advance to the ranks of the ninja. The Academy's graduation methods were discontinued after Zabuza Momochi, not yet a student himself, killed an entire year's graduating class, but by then the Bloody Mist had already tainted the Fourth's reputation.

The Fourth Mizukage's reign was a time of darkness for Kiri, with corruption plaguing those in charge and the pursuit of power becoming paramount for many. Defection became widespread amongst Kiri's ranks, with several members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist and even the Six-Tails' jinchūriki abandoning the village.

In addition to foreign conflicts, Kirigakure has experienced several periods of internal unrest. The Kaguya clan once waged war against Kiri to quench their lust for battle, but were slaughtered by the village's superior forces. Those with kekkei genkai were regarded with suspicion by the people of Kiri and the wider Land of Water due to their efficiency during times of war. As such, persecution and even murder of anyone with a kekkei genkai was common; in the case of the Yuki clan, it no longer exists in an organised sense and its few surviving members live in secret, fearful of their abilities being discovered. Some time after the Third Shinobi World War, Kiri and Iwa joined forces on a mission to reclaim intel stolen by Kumo. Once the information was secured, Iwa betrayed Kiri and killed most of the ninja sent on the mission in order to take the intel for themselves, an incident that would come to be known as the Tragedy of Yosuga Pass.

Under the Fifth Mizukage, Kiri has tried to move passed the memories of the Bloody Mist by reforming internal policies and improving its image abroad as being an open-minded nation. After Akatsuki captures a number of tailed beasts, including both of those previously possessed by Kiri, the Fifth attends a Kage Summit in order to improve diplomatic relations with the other villages and disprove the rumour that Akatsuki was founded in Kiri. As a further display of this, Kiri joins the Allied Shinobi Forces to oppose Akatsuki. The war is won and the village's image is redeemed.

Several Mizukage overtook the mantle following the Fifth Mizukage's peaceful retirement and passing. Kirigakure and Mizu no Kuni experienced a long era of peace along with the majority of the world at the time, until the reign of the Thirteenth Mizukage, Hikou. Although young, his taking of the mantle was accompanied by a plethora of bright and hopeful dreams to bring Mizukage into a golden age. During his short rule, Hikou brought the land of Mizu no Kuni to the stability that it had been working toward for centuries. His time as Mizukage was cut short with the appearance of Chichiouza, namely Uchiha Hao, who turned his black flame upon both Hikou and the entirety of Kirigakure, reducing it to cinder and ash.

The fourteenth Mizukage, Juro, took over shortly after Hikou’s death. A noble attempt at reviving the village and rebuilding what was lost was made as Juro coveted the Seven Swordsmen blades. Under his rule, Kirigakure began to return to old ways, revitalizing the name “Bloody Mist” and turning the village into a mercenary state. Within a year of his rule, Juro was killed, and Kirigakure was burned once again by Hao.

Sero Osada took the reins from Juro and, once again, the process of raising Kirigakure from the ashes began anew. During this process, the plots of an organization named Schichiouza was discovered, and Hao Uchiha was learned to be spearheading the organization’s efforts. During the Gokage Summit that occured not long after, several members of Schichiouza attacked, and Sero was killed by Utau.

Following Sero’s death, the sixteenth Mizukage, Ayakashi, began to pick up the pieces left behind and continued the process of rebuilding Kirigakure. The country grew to be more militarized in response to their continued loss. The village was making large strides toward returning to their former glory until Utau was killed by a former Mizukage’s asset, who was surprised to see Kirigakure change radically and reject him. This rejection sparked the Seven Bells war. During the war, all of the major clan leaders were assassinated, marking the largest loss on Kirigakure’s side. Despite this loss, Kirigakure managed to fight back and proclaimed their victory of the conflict. Since then, Kirigakure has risen to retake its place as one of the major shinobi nation superpowers, alongside the other great villages

1. Byakuren (First Mizukage, deceased) {NPC}
2. Hōzuki, Gengetsu (Second Mizukage, deceased) {NPC}
3. Hōzuki, Ken’ichi (Third Mizukage, deceased) {NPC}
4. Karatachi, Yagura (Fourth Mizukage, deceased) {NPC}
5. Terumī, Mei (Fifth Mizukage, deceased) {NPC}
6. Chōjūrō (Sixth Mizukage, deceased) {NPC}
7. Hōzuki, Hachirō (Seventh Mizukage, deceased) {NPC}
8. Kaguya, Kioshi (Eighth Mizukage, deceased) {NPC}
9. Hoshigaki, Masaru (Ninth Mizukage, deceased) {NPC}
10. Momochi, Nori (Tenth Mizukage, deceased) {NPC}
11. Hōzuki, Saboru (Eleventh Mizukage, deceased) {NPC}
12. Kōri, Takumi (Twelfth Mizukage, deceased) {NPC}
13. Hikou (Thirteenth Hokage, deceased)
14. Juro (Fourteenth Mizukage, deceased)
15. Osada, Sero Sr. (Fifteenth Mizukage, deceased)
16. Kōri, Ayakashi (Sixteenth Mizukage, current)

The Land of Water is an archipelago, whose many islands house a myriad of inhabitants, usually of seafaring occupation. While the majority of these settlements are rather mundane and too small to be worth mentioning, there are a few that stand out as cornerstones of the Land of Water’s prosperity.

Kibo is the city of riches and gold. Named as the City of hope, it is largely a Samurai city surrounding a singular expansive castle and the rural mansions surrounding it. Kibo is the home to Mizu no Kuni's Daimyo and many of the noble houses of Kirigakure. Built in the shadow of Kirigakure from the direction of Terumi, Kibo is grand and wealthy, every building decked with luxury and traditionally built to house the Vassals of the Daimyo as well as the court, their vassals, noble Samurai houses and all of their families and clans within tiered protective walls guarded by over ten thousand of Mizu no Kuni's strongest samurai at any given moment. Surrounding Kibo is expansive farmland and agriculture used to sustain those within Kibo on a daily basis, many a farmer flocking to Kibo due to the protection it serves.

Demographics
Population: 85,000
Population Density: 450/km²
Land Area: 50/km²

Economy: Great, on the decline
Relationship with Kirigakure: Poor

Terumi City is a massive port city that acts as the gateway to Mizu no Kuni, and is named after a former Mizukage. As the backbone of Water Country’s infrastructure, the city extends over a great distance and is famous for the great many boats and ships docked in its harbours.

Architecture in Terumi is simplistic, pragmatic though aesthetically pleasing to the eye. Terumi is surrounded by tiered fortress walls that surround each district leading into the city with only one entrance way, being the port. The village itself is set low and wide, though towards the centre of the village there is a noble district that houses several noble clans, notably estates of merchant lords from Gyosha no Kuni who rely deeply on trade attained here. Mizu no Kuni banners hanging proudly from their walls and flags as well as flags of Kirigakure's allies. Aqueduct rivers and drainage pathways sport gondolas for transportation as well as the many maintained roads that cut through the city’s border posts.

Demographics
Population: 370,000
Population Density: 2,500/km²
Land Area: 450/km²

Economy: Excellent, stagnated
Relationship with Kirigakure: Good

Gyōsha no Kuni, or the Nation of Merchants is an isolated city off the southern coast of Kirigakure. Home to the merchant lords; a second government aside from the Daimyo comprising of the most profitable merchant clans that ship their goods to and from the mainland continent and control much of the external trade flow concerning Mizu no Kuni. The city itself rivals Terumi in population, with little of the elegance and far more spread out. The city itself, while wealthy beyond measure, is a veritable Tortuga-like shanty town of vibrant colors, banners, spice scents and art... all to hide the cracks in the shoddily made shacks that line it. Banners with every color under the sun pepper the housing, as pirates, merchant sailors, mercenaries, killers and thieves of all kinds make their homes within them. At odds with any strict law enforcement, Gyōsha no Kuni has tentative trade alliances and non aggression pacts with Mizu no Kuni.

Demographics
Population: 420,000
Population Density: 3,200/km²
Land Area: 1,250/km²

Economy: Excellent, on the incline
Relationship with Kirigakure: Poor

Uzushiogakure is a small island north of Kirigakure, and allied with Mizu no Kuni due to Water Country's close ties with Konohagakure. While the former home of the Uzumaki has long been rebuilt, its founders seldom return home. Instead populated with an up and coming generation of ninja from varying clans, the nation's capital is found in an expansive cave-like structure building into the bedrock heart of the island and looking upwards out of an ancient crater-like basin. The city is largely constructed from volcanic marble and is a beauty to behold, though still to date there are many districts within the city in varying stages of ruin since its destruction in an attempt to eradicate the Uzumaki.


Demographics
Population: 80,000
Population Density: 400/km²
Land Area: 110/km²

Economy: Fair, stagnated
Relationship with Kirigakure: Fair

Tsuchi no Kuni, or “the Land of Earth”, is one of the five great countries in the Sagaverse. The Land of Earth is primarily governed by a Daimyō, although the geography leaves settlements few and far between, and are largely left to govern themselves. The Land of Earth hosts one of the great shinobi villages of the world, Iwagakure no Sato, also known as the “Hidden Rock Village”. The residents of the Land of Earth are appropriately oriented toward the element of earth.

The Land of Earth is known to be a largely barren mountain range that hosts a myriad of different styles. Most typically, the Land of Earth is a large mesa with massive flat-topped mountains, although distant mountains in the north, west, and southwest are taller alpine-peaked mountains sometimes covered in snow.

The land area of the entirety of Tsuchi no Kuni is approximately 2.211.903 km². In terms of contiguous land area, the Land of Wind is the second largest, ahead of the Land of Fire and behind the Land of Earth.

The Land of Earth shares a eastern border with the Land of Waterfalls. It shares a southeastern border with the Lands of Grass and Rain, and a southern border with the Lands of Claw and Fang. To the west, the Land of Wind shares borders with the Lands of Mountain and Bear. In the north, the Land of Earth shares a bay with the Land of Snow.

The Land of Earth consists of three main biomes; semi-arid desert, dry steppe, and alpine mountain. Nearly the entirety of the country is mountain, with grassland sparse and farmland almost entirely nonexistent, sans small patches to the east, where the Land of Waterfalls has allowed fertile soil to thrive.

The majority of the Land of Earth’s climate is warm-summer continental, warm semi-arid, and hot semi-arid, whilst the taller mountains have a cold desert or even subarctic climate. Some of the flatter steppes to the south experience a hot semi-arid climate.

Iwagakure no Sato, also known as the “Hidden Rock Village”, is a shinobi village located just west of the Tsuchi no Kuni eastern central border. Iwagakure rests in a basin surrounded by tall mountains, and is partially carved into the mountains themselves, deep within the vast ranges of the Land of Earth.

Iwagakure is exactly four kilometers in diameter, spanning a full eight kilometers from one edge to the other. Buildings are primarily built from stone, dyed clay, brick, or imported wood. Tall mountains surround the village on all sides, with countless waterfalls draining down into several rivers that run throughout the village.

Population: 3.4 Million
Military Demographic

Active: 476k career (Approx. 14% of total population)
Reserve: 125k (includes non-shinobi)
Shinobi: 61k

Shinobi Demographic Breakdown

Genin: 26,000
Chūnin: 16,500
Special Jōnin: 15,000
Jōnin: 4,300

Economy: Fair, stagnated

Iwagakure has a rocky economy that experiences dips in productivity, but remains relatively stable without falling into recession. The majority of their economy stems from their exports of raw material and processed metal. Of all the countries, they are the leading supplier of both base and precious metals, in which they supply over 50% of all of the world’s metal. Their lacking infrastructure throughout the country has made it difficult for easy and safe transport, making convoys and trade routes rife with banditry.

Iwagakure imports very little manufactured goods out of necessity, and mostly only for comfort, as a result of their large number of manufacturers. Their largest imports are typically agriculture based, ranging anywhere from food to cotton. The Land of Earth engages in regular trade with the Lands of Fire and Water.

Personal transportation in Tsuchi no Kuni is dominated by foot traffic, although the country’s infrastructure is lacking as a result of their large mountain ranges that make foot travel difficult. In addition to foot traffic, the roads that wind throughout the mountains are rife with banditry, which make material transportation such as goods for trade quite risky.

Power for appliances and communications is accomplished through clay pot batteries that are easily attainable and replaceable. These batteries power everything from simple electronics like household lights and appliances to long range telecommunication.

The people of the Land of Earth are a stubborn and hardy people. They value hard work, and have not been receptive to foreign culture because of their natural suspicion to outsiders outside of trade. This has resulted in the Land of Earth having a largely unique culture from the other countries, as it seldom leaves their Lands and they rarely appropriate aspects of other cultures.

Despite a history of warfare, the typical Iwagakure citizen and Tsuchi no Kuni resident thinks poorly of war and conflict, and would rather see peace. Yet due to strong nationalism and pride, they are still willing to fight for their country and village.

Iwagakure was founded after the Warring States Period by the First Tsuchikage, who united several warring clans together under one banner. Shortly after the formation of their villages, Konoha's First Hokage sold tailed beasts to Iwa as a sign of friendship and to ensure a balance of power amongst their new villages. Despite this bid for peace, Madara Uchiha made efforts unsanctioned by the Hokage or the rest of Konoha to make Iwa subservient to Konoha. Relations between the villages would eventually break down, starting with Iwagakure's relative proximity with the Land of Wind and Sunagakure, which lead to countless conflicts over the years. The Second Tsuchikage and the Second Mizukage met in battle and killed each other, damaging relations with Kirigakure. The Second Shinobi World War lead to Iwagakure fighting Konohagakure and Sunagakure across Amegakure, and the Third Shinobi World War pitting Iwagakure against Konohagakure again across Kusagakure. Following the defeat of 1,000 Iwagakure shinobi in a single battle at the hands of Konoha's Fourth Hokage, the third Tsuchikage was prompted to surrender.

Even during times of peace, Iwa and its Tsuchikage have worked behind the scenes against its fellow villages, such as by using mercenaries like Akatsuki to carry out missions the village could not be directly involved in or that it lacked the resources for. Deidara, pupil of the Third Tsuchikage, stole a forbidden technique to further his artistic pursuits, and defected after using his new art to leave the village structures in shambles, becoming a terrorist bomber for hire before his forced recruitment into Akatsuki. In the anime, Iwa betrayed Kiri during an incident that would come to be known as the Tragedy of Yosuga Pass; while on a joint mission against Kumo, Iwa forces killed most of its Kiri allies in order to take all the mission's spoils for itself.

Like many villages, Iwagakure eventually began sealing its tailed beasts into jinchūriki; the most recent jinchūriki of its Four-Tails was Rōshi and the most recent jinchūriki of its Five-Tails was Han. Since the Second Tsuchikage's era, they actively took part in acquiring other tailed beasts. The anime suggests that Iwa did not hold its jinchūriki, or at least Han, in high regard and was glad when Akatsuki captured him. The Third Tsuchikage's words during a Kage Summit suggest that this is not entirely true, as he calls Akatsuki's capture of both its jinchūriki an embarrassment.

Iwagakure joins the Allied Shinobi Forces during the Fourth Shinobi World War in order to oppose Akatsuki. Although initially planning to continue undermining the other villages as it has for years, conversation with the Fifth Kazekage convinces the Third Tsuchikage that Iwa has lost its way. As such, the Third advocates cooperation with the other villages and becomes personally involved in several battles in order to set an example. In the anime, he even apologises to the other villages for previous actions against them that he has sanctioned. The war is eventually won and the Third's efforts become successful, as by the era of the Fourth Tsuchikage all five Kage are on good terms.

In the years that followed, however, peace would not persist within the Land of Earth. Their proximity with the Land of Wind lead to numerous conflicts after the Sixth Tsuchikage’s rule. Countless battles were fought between the two countries, typically occurring either in the Land of Claw or the Land of Fang, both of which are in poor standing with the Land of Earth as a result. This poor standing has actually lead the Land of Fang and the Land of Claw to employ the use of mercenary groups to harm Iwagakure’s trade, a practice that is long since disbanded although the remnants of banditry persist as a result.

Along with conflict between Iwagakure and Sunagakure, Iwagakure has also contested their dominance regarding metal trade with Kumogakure. Iwagakure and Kumogakure warred for nearly fifty years, in a constant state of destroying one another’s shipments of metal and ore. This conflict spanned four different Tsuchikage and one Raikage before the two eventually came to a cease fire when the Ninth Tsuchikage and the Sixth Raikage met and discussed terms of a treaty. Although the two villages put an end to the war, the hostility between them has persisted for generations since.

Although still present, crime in the form of banditry and the like has been on a harsh decline as a result of the efforts of the Sixteenth Tsuchikage, Akira Kazako. His crusade against crime was notable in decreasing it, however remnants of past wars persist, namely old mercenary groups from bordering countries.

1. Kamizuru, Ishikawa (First Tsuchikage, deceased) {NPC}
2. Mujin, Mū (Second Tsuchikage, deceased) {NPC}
3. Kamizuru, Ōnoki (Third Tsuchikage, deceased) {NPC}
4. Kamizuru Kanetsu, Kurotsuchi (Fourth Tsuchikage, deceased) {NPC}
5. Egawa, Doi (Fifth Tsuchikage, deceased) {NPC}
6. Yamaoka, Yoshitaka (Sixth Tsuchikage, deceased) {NPC}
7. Kirigaya, Runa (Seventh Tsuchikage, deceased) {NPC}
8. Kamizuru, Gennai (Eighth Tsuchikage, deceased) {NPC}
9. Kanetsu, Harunobu (Ninth Tsuchikage, deceased) {NPC}
10. Mujin, Kaoru (Tenth Tsuchikage, deceased) {NPC}
11. Dengen (Eleventh Tsuchikage, retired)
12. Nekomotze, Arashi (Twelfth Tsuchikage, KIA)
13. Amida, Tomio (Thirteenth Tsuchikage, KIA)
14. Kanetsu, Kazu (Fourteenth Tsuchikage, location unknown)
15. Gaunyin, Nanashi (Fifteenth Tsuchikage, retired)
16. Kazako, Akira (Sixteenth Tsuchikage, retired)
17. Sekuro, Karumo (Seventeenth Tsuchikage, location unknown)
18. Kazako, Harichimo (Eighteenth Tsuchikage, current)

The Land of Earth is made up of a plethora of settlements throughout the vast mountain ranges. Many of these towns are independent of one another due to the difficulty of travel posed by the thousands of mountains. Despite these towns independence, many of them still rely on Iwagakure to supply shinobi to act in their defense.

Nakatsukawa, conversationally known as “Nakatsu”, is the de jure capital of Iwagakure and home to the Earth Daimyō, located in western Tsuchi no Kuni. Nakatsukawa is the leading provider of the Earth Country’s raw materials, supplying the vast majority of basic and precious metals that are exported to other countries. Many years ago, the town experienced a massive economic boon because of their sale of various metals to Kirigakure, which resulted in a population boost that unexpectedly inflated the economy. As a result, the town is very overpopulated, and the economy has been steadily declining.

Nakatsukawa’s buildings are primarily made out of stone, brick, and clay. Wood is used sparsely throughout, though the majority of said wood is old, aged, and beginning to rot. Many of Nakatsukawa’s buildings are tall to support the large population.

Demographics
Population: 530,000
Population Density: 4,690/km²
Land Area: 113/km²

Economy: Poor, on the decline
Relationship with Iwagakure: Poor

Tatekotan is Tsuchi no Kuni’s third largest town, and largest trading hub because of it’s position on the northeastern sea border. Nearly all of incoming and outgoing trade between Tsuchi no Kuni and other countries occurs in Tatekotan, resulting in the town’s economic boons. Additionally, it is one of the few places that hosts agriculture within Tsuchi no Kuni, although it pales in comparison to more agriculture appropriate geographical locations to the southeast.

Tatekotan’s buildings are largely made from stone and brick, primarily using plaster in place of wood, which is used sparsely. Roofs are typically made from coloured clay tiles, making Tatekotan one of the Earth Country’s more colourful and tourist friendly towns.

Demographics
Population: 255,000
Population Density: 198/km²
Land Area: 1,287/km²

Economy: Excellent, on the incline
Relationship with Iwagakure: Average
Relationship with Nakatsukawa: Average

Iwayāko is a town built upon a large mountain in northern Tsuchi no Kuni. Iwayāko is known for being the largest exporter of the world’s purest gold, which has allowed them to maintain a stable economy for several generations. The buildings that sit on the outside of the mountain are few and far between, however the caves that run for miles throughout the interior of the cave is where the majority of the residents can be found.

Architecture in Iwayāko is varied; on the outside, buildings are primarily made of chiseled stone, brick, or clay, with wood sparsely used and dyed clay primarily used for roofing or decoration. On the interior of Iwayāko, buildings are almost exclusively carved out of the mountain’s stone itself.

Demographics
Population: 40,000
Population Density: 540/km²
Land Area: 74/km²

Economy: Excellent, stagnated
Relationship with Iwagakure: Excellent
Relationship with Nakatsukawa: Poor

Kaze no Kuni, or “the Land of Wind”, is one of the five great countries in the Sagaverse. The Land of Wind is governed largely by a Daimyō, while the vastness of the Land of Wind lends itself to smaller governments ruling over their respective lands. The Land of Wind used to host one of the great shinobi villages of the world, Sunagakure no Sato, also known as the “Hidden Sand Village”, prior to its destruction. The residents of the Land of Wind are generally oriented toward the element of wind.

The Land of Wind is known to be a massive desert that seems to go on forever. Large dunes roll throughout the vast landscape, and also hosts large stretches of tall mountains. The people of the Land of Wind are generally known to be a largely nomadic, mercantile sort of people. Following the destruction of Sunagakure, the population has dwindled greatly, resulting in many residents fleeing to other countries as refugees while some stayed within the Land of Wind and merely relocated to other nearby settlements and towns.

The land area of the entirety of Kaze no Kuni is approximately 4,068,801 km². In terms of contiguous land area, the Land of Wind is the largest, ahead of the Land of Earth and the Land of Fire.

The Land of Wind shares a eastern border with the Lands of Rivers and Rain. It shares a northern border with the Lands of Rain, Claw, Fang, and Caves. To the south, the Land of Wind shares an oceanic border with the Land of Tea.

The Land of Wind consists of three main biomes; arid desert, semi-arid desert, and dry steppe. Over 80% of the country is covered in arid and semi-arid desert, with only their borders offering consistent greenery. Seldom few rivers run through the deserts, as most have long since dried up. Northern Land of Wind has dry steppes dotted around that become more common the further north one goes.

The majority of the Land of Wind’s climate is hot desert and hot semi-arid desert, with some coastal portions receiving a more warm to hot-arid desert climate. Most of the taller mountains have a cold desert climate, while some of the flatter steppes to the northwest merely experience a hot semi-arid climate.

Sunagakure no Sato, also known as the “Hidden Sand Village”, was a shinobi village located just west of the Kaze no Kuni eastern central border. Sunagakure used to rest at the base of a small canyon, deep within the vast deserts of the Land of Wind. Following its destruction, the entirety of the village has been reduced to glass-like ruin. Massive shards of glass litter the sands where the village once stood.

Population: n/a
Military Demographic

Active: n/a
Reserve: n/a
Shinobi: n/a

Shinobi Demographic Breakdown

Genin: n/a
Chūnin: n/a
Special Jōnin: n/a
Jōnin: n/a

Economy: n/a

Prior to the fall, Sunagakure’s economy was on the decline due to a lack of steady and active leadership. After the destruction, the economy has fallen to shambles, with little flow of money both into and out of the rebuilt slums.

Personal transportation was dominated by foot traffic that traverse a vast network of public roads, however following the destruction of Sunagakure, many of these roads are littered with shards of glass.

Kaze no Kuni is a very diverse cultural melting pot because of their frequency of trade, and thus their exposure to a multitude of different cultures. Sunagakure, at the time before its destruction, was no different. They primarily shared culture with Konohagakure, whom they engaged in trade with regularly, which lead to Sunagakure beginning to celebrate the Rinne festival despite not experiencing a winter themselves.

Sunagakure was founded after the Warring States Period by the First Kazekage, who gathered the desert-dwelling shinobi under his control with his overwhelming power. Shortly after the formation of their villages, Konoha's First Hokage offered to sell tailed beasts to Suna as a sign of friendship and to ensure a balance of power amongst their new villages. Because Suna already had the One-Tail, the First Kazekage instead tried to negotiate for a percentage of the sale price to the other villages and a portion of the Land of Fire's territory instead. Despite the First Hokage's wishes for peace, the world eventually fell into war. Suna's close proximity with Iwagakure has led to numerous conflicts over the years, enough that enmity between its shinobi has become deep-seated.

Following the Third Shinobi World War, the Land of Wind's daimyō started outsourcing missions previously given to Suna to Konoha instead. The Fourth Kazekage began selling gold dust to try to make up for the loss of funding, but it was ultimately decided that Suna shinobi would need to rely on individual strength rather than strength of numbers. To help in this goal, the Fourth had the One-Tail sealed into his newborn son, Gaara, hoping he would become a valuable weapon. For the early years of his life Gaara struggled to keep the One-Tail in check, and would unintentionally attack the village and/or its citizens when he lost control. The Fourth eventually decided that Gaara was a failed experiment and tried many times to have him assassinated, each of which failed. The attempts on his life, however, taught Gaara how to control the One-Tail, making him into the weapon his father wanted him to be and convincing the Fourth to call off the assassinations.

Twelve years after the Third Shinobi World War, Suna is approached by Orochimaru of Otogakure with an offer to join forces in an invasion of Konoha. Scheduled to occur during the Chūnin Exams taking place in Konoha, a small force is to attack the village from within while Sunagakure and Otogakure forces invade. At some point before the invasion takes place, however, Orochimaru kills and impersonates the Fourth Kazekage and leads them into a devastating defeat against Konoha's forces. When the village discovers Orochimaru's deceit, Sunagakure re-allies itself with Konoha and gains much from the peace, leading to new prosperity for the village. Two-and-a-half years later Gaara, now Fifth Kazekage, is captured while defending Suna from Akatsuki. Remembering their earlier mistakes when the Third Kazekage disappeared, Suna's leadership is reluctant to go after him. Konoha sends a team to help and succeeds in rescuing Gaara, though Akatsuki is able to take the One-Tail. Chiyo and Ebizō noted that the village has weakened as they had to rely on retired veterans and even allied villages.

After the other villages experience their own attacks by Akatsuki, they decide to form the Allied Shinobi Forces to oppose Akatsuki in the Fourth Shinobi World War. Being so much younger than his fellow Kage, Gaara is able to persuade the other Kage of how outdated their methodologies are and also proves inspirational in convincing the diverse Allied Forces set aside their differences and work together. Suna's forces prove valuable during the war, particularly with the Cloth Binding Technique to neutralise the Impure World Reincarnation. Although the villagers were amongst the mass of the world to be trapped in the Infinite Tsukuyomi and God: Nativity of a World of Trees, the war is eventually won and the villages are all left on good terms.

Following the Fourth Shinobi World War and the peace that ensued, the seventh Kazekage returned to Sunagakure’s old ways of warring with Iwagakure. While disputing border differences, the Kazekage was unwilling to relent part of their claim on a northern territory. The Tsuchikage refused to negotiate without this territory, and caused a battle that resulted in the death of two Iwagakure diplomats. The war that raged between Sunagakure and Iwagakure lasted for over a decade, until the Ninth Kazekage and the Tenth Tsuchikage agreed on an indefinite truce following the death of the Eighth Kazekage in a large battle.

Since then, Sunagakure has had a myriad of Kazekages. Their place in world politics has been largely negligible since the war, and have instead looked inward to interpersonal politics. For the better portion of a century, from the sixth Kazekage’s reign to the tenth, Sunagakure invested heavily into the trade of slavery. They exported large amounts of slaves taken from their own people to foreign lands, which allowed their economies to flourish, however their people suffered and grew angry. A coup was staged and Inuzuka Shiro was killed as a result, allowing the next Kazekage to abolish the slave trade. Doing so caused a quick recession to plague the Hidden Sand Village.

Sunagakure had continued to stay out of world politics after the abolishment of their slave trade, although Kuroka Gin attended the Gokage summit after the accusation aimed at Iwagakure regarding the alleged assassination of the Hokage at the time.

Although Sunagakure had kept themselves out of the political game for a long period of time, they were still targeted by rogue shinobi, who destroyed the village and reduced it to a field of glass.

1. Shinobu, Reto (First Kazekage, deceased) {NPC}
2. Shamon (Second Kazekage, deceased) {NPC}
3. Seiji, Masaru (Third Kazekage, deceased) {NPC}
4. Rasa (Fourth Kazekage, deceased) {NPC}
5. Gaara (Fifth Kazekage, deceased) {NPC}
6. Sabaku, Hiroaki (Sixth Kazekage, deceased) {NPC}
7. Hattori, Kichiro (Seventh Kazekage, deceased) {NPC}
8. z (Eighth Kazekage, deceased) {NPC}
9. z (Ninth Kazekage, deceased) {NPC}
10. Inuzuka, Shiro (Tenth Kazekage, location unknown)
11. Inuzuka, Yui (Eleventh Kazekage, retired)
12. Kuroka, Gin (Twelfth Kazekage, defected)
13. Koga, Suzume (Thirteenth Kazekage, location unknown)
14. Imada, Seiryu (Fourteenth Kazekage, location unknown)
15. Ningyou, Midori (Fifth Kazekage, location unknown)

The Land of Wind is made up of countless settlements that dot the vastness of the desert. These towns are almost entirely dependent on one another, and engage heavily in trade with nearby towns and settlements.

Sasanin-Togata, conversationally known simply as Togata, is home to the Wind Daimyō, and has become Kaze no Kuni’s official Capital in place of Sunagakure following the latter’s destruction. Togata was once the central hub of human trafficking within Kaze no Kuni during the height of the Wind Country’s slave trade, and was the last to abolish it after the eleventh Kazekage’s reign debarred the trade.

Togata is split into two main districts; the inner wall and the outer wall. The inner wall is where the wealthy reside, usually merchants of varying trade or politicians and diplomats. The actual craftsmen and tradesmen, as well as the vast majority of the population reside between the inner and outer wall. Buildings are typically constructed of adobe blocks-- a mixture of clay, sand, straw and water, while the roofs themselves are either flat and made of the same blocks or sloped for style and tiled with clay.

Demographics
Population: 330,000
Population Density: 1,479/km²
Land Area: 223/km²

Economy: Poor, stagnated
Relationship with Sunagakure: n/a

Kuroyama is one of the larger settlements within the Wind Country. Although it is relatively undeveloped architecturally, Kuroyama has a powerful economy that thrives on their trade of precious metal, namely gold dust. The residents of Kuroyama are almost entirely miners, and they rely entirely on trade to supplement their community with resources such as food and medicine.

The buildings of Kuroyama are either carved into the face of the mountain they mine in, or made from wood, hide, and adobe blocks. The streets are almost always busy, even at night, where the numerous taverns will be packed with the weary miners.


Demographics
Population: 15,000
Population Density: 272/km²
Land Area: 55/km²

Economy: Excellent, on the incline
Relationship with Sunagakure: n/a
Relationship with Sasinn-Togata: Fair

The Ruins of Sāra are the buried remnants of an ancient settlement within the Wind Country. There are few entrances into the expansive ruins, which boast several hundred kilometers worth of roads, buildings, and tunnels that can be traversed at the risk of a brave explorer. Rumours claim that this sunken city is home to large, horrific beasts and masses of untold wealth.

Demographics
Population: n/a
Population Density: n/a
Land Area: n/a

Economy: n/a
Relationship with Sunagakure: n/a
Relationship with Sasinn-Togata: n/a

Kaminari no Kuni, or “the Land of Lightning”, is one of the five great countries in the Sagaverse. The Land of Lightning is governed by a Daimyō, while smaller towns and villages may be internally governed by independently elected officials. The Land of Lightning hosts one of the great shinobi villages of the world, Kumogakure no Sato, also known as the “Hidden Cloud Village”. Residents of the Land of Lightning are typically oriented toward the element of lightning.

The Land of Lightning is known for massive expanses of tall mountains, of which host a plethora of rivers that run straight into the sea and create a scenic, crooked coastline. The Land of Lightning gets its namesake from the many thunderstorms that roll throughout the country, which leaves a great many of their lakes and valleys flooded.

The land area of the entirety of Kaminari no Kuni is approximately 1,470,285 km². In terms of contiguous land area, the Land of Lightning is fourth in size behind the Lands of Wind, Earth, and Fire respectively, and ahead of the Land of Water.

The Land of Lightning only shares a southwestern land border with the Land of Frost, as their position on a peninsula leaves most of the country water-locked. They share a sea border with the archipelago outside of the Land of Snow to the northwest, as well as a bay border with the Land of Hotsprings.

The Land of Lightning consists of three main biomes; alpine tundra, montane forest, and alpine flat steppe. The southern portion of the Land of Lightning has fewer mountains and more large hills that are typically covered in montane forest. Moving north will lead to mountain ranges growing exponentially in size, the majority of which are alpine flat steppe, although some are alpine peaked. Past the central point of the Land of Lightning, everything north of it is either alpine tundra or simply tundra, that eventually flattens at the base of the Land of Lightning’s tallest mountains and breaks off into a few smaller islands just off the coast.

The Land of Lightning’s climate is hot-summer humid continental toward the south, while most northern portions beyond Kumogakure will reach tundra-like climates.

Kumogakure no Sato, also known as the “Hidden Cloud Village”, is the capital of Kaminari no Kuni. Located at the southwestern neck of the peninsula that the Land of Lightning claims, most of Kumogakure is built into the narrow peaks of several mountains in relatively close proximity to one another. Connected to other buildings and mountains through a vast network of bridges, catwalks, and man-made caves, navigating the village can be akin to navigating a labyrinth for those unfamiliar with its infrastructure. The village is built above the clouds, which gave birth to its namesake, the village hidden in the clouds.

Population: 4.1 Million
Military Demographic

Active: 656k career (approx. 16% of total population)
Reserve: 270k (includes non-shinobi)
Shinobi: 57k

Shinobi Demographic Breakdown

Genin: 29,000
Chūnin: 8,500
Special Jōnin: 14,500
Jōnin: 5,000

Economy: Fair, stagnated

Kumogakure has a fluctuating economy that has historically benefited from warfare. In the past, Kumogakure has taken advantage of the conflict between Iwagakure and Sunagakure, and silently supplied various mercenary groups of countries stuck betwixt the warring countries. This lead to various economic boons throughout Kumogakure’s past, as well as resulting in a rise in banditry and crime within the aforementioned countries. Because of this, Kumogakure engages in regular trade with Lands of Claw and Fang, who have supported Kumogakure’s economy during lulls in conflict.

Kumogakure itself doesn’t export many materials or goods, although they do have a minor trade for unique chakra-receptive metal that is found throughout the mountains of the Lightning Country. Their metal trade pales in comparison to Iwagakure’s and Tsuchi no Kuni, however they are still the world’s second leading exporter of raw metal and ore.

Kumogakure imports a large number of resources that they are otherwise incapable of producing themselves, as a result of their mountainous geography. Agricultural goods are the highest on the list of priority, as well as other goods such as fish. They also import a large number of exotic comfort goods as well.

Personal transportation is dominated by foot traffic that traverse a large number of roads that wind up, around, and through the vast mountain ranges of the Lightning Country. Within the village proper, transportation is also done by foot, using bridges of varying degree, catwalks, roads, and man-made caves and tunnels to move through and between mountains.

The transportation of goods is primarily done by narrow carriages drawn by horses, or smaller wagons drawn by smaller work animals. A large portion of their trade is done by sea, leading to a large number of port towns having roads connecting to, from, and around Kumogakure.

Kumogakure has a remote culture that is typically unwelcome to foreigners or foreign customs. Historically, they have valued war, combat, and militarism, where holding a rank or title within either the military or the shinobi forces is usually a point of respect and esteem. They have various holidays spread throughout the year dedicated to honouring fallen war heroes, both as a whole and individually. Tradesmen and merchants are usually well respected as well, especially if they dabble in the creation, engineering, or dealing of arms and armour.

Kumogakure was founded by Kazuyto Shinkama, the son of his nomadic tribe’s leader, who brought together various clans, tribes, and travelers in a battle against a native wasp clan. Shortly after the formation of their villages, Konoha's First Hokage sold tailed beasts to Kumo as a sign of friendship and to ensure a balance of power amongst their new villages. The Second Raikage and Second Hokage later tried to formally agree to peace between their villages, but the ceremony was interrupted by the Gold and Silver Brothers and the Hokage was nearly killed. Konoha and Kumo ended up on opposing sides during the First Shinobi World War, with Kumo's Kinkaku Force killing the Second Hokage. Decades later, during the Third Shinobi World War, Kumo and Konoha would fight again, often with A on Kumo's side and Minato Namikaze on Konoha's. Following the death of the Third Raikage in a battle against 10,000 opposing shinobi, A succeeded him as the Fourth.

Whereas a peace treaty was formed between all the villages reduce the sizes of their forces during times of peace, Kumo secretly does not demilitarise so that no other village can ever have an upperhand when hostilities inevitably resume. The Third Tsuchikage notes that this behavior has only provoked the other villages to employ the same tactics in kind. Kumo's efforts to amass power often entail stealing secrets and kidnapping shinobi from other villages. Several years before the Third Shinobi World War, Kumo shinobi kidnapped Kushina Uzumaki from Konoha in order to study her unique chakra, but were foiled by Minato Namikaze. A few years after the Third Shinobi World War, Kumo sent its Head Ninja to Konoha to sign a peace treaty, a cover for an attempt to acquire the Byakugan by kidnapping Hinata Hyūga. When the Head Ninja was killed by Hiashi Hyūga in the attempt, Kumo still tried to obtain the Byakugan by threatening war unless Hiashi's body was turned over to make up for the Head Ninja's death. In what would be called the Hyūga Affair, Hiashi's twin was given to Kumo instead, his Byakugan sealed. Kumo made another attempt to acquire the Byakugan amidst the Konoha Crush, but failed again.

When Akatsuki captures B mere months after the similar capture of Yugito, the Raikage is outraged by the loss of the village's jinchūriki and calls a Kage Summit to find a way to deal with Akatsuki. Although suspicious of the other villages due to their histories with Akatsuki, Akatsuki's declaration of the Fourth Shinobi World War convinces the Raikage to join the Allied Shinobi Forces. He is appointed its Supreme Commander and Kumo is selected for the Allied Shinobi Forces' Headquarters, making it a target for Akatsuki's counter-offensive.

During the war, Kumo fell victim to the Infinite Tsukuyomi and God: Nativity of a World of Trees, but endures the attack. With the war won, Kumo works closely together with other villages, improving relationships between each other. Two years later Kumo is still consolidating power, but it does so for mutual benefit of all the villages by taking charge of stopping the moon from crashing into Earth. By the era of the Fifth Raikage, all five Kage are on good terms.

This peace did not last following Darui’s death and Arata Shinkama’s takeover of Kumogakure. Although Arata maintained peaceful relations with Konohagakure and Kirigakure, it secretly supported the countries that laid between the Lands of Wind and Earth, who were war-torn by the conflict between the two. In addition to this, Kumogakure and Iwagakure warred themselves, though these battles took place primarily on their own lands, as a result of the Land of Earth’s interest in retaining its dominance as the world’s supplier of metal. Arata participated in many of these battles himself, and killed three Tsuchikage before the two countries met and agreed to terms of peace. Despite this supposed peace, Kumogakure continued to supply the Lands of Claw and Fang, which are the primary source of banditry in both the Land of Earth and Wind.

Following Arata’s death, he was succeeded by siblings Lin and Lo Kuang, who maintained their position as dual-Raikage until old age, when Taiya Akiyama overtook the role, and then Midnight after her. Reika, who succeeded Midnight, managed to make formal peace with Iwagakure, yet smaller independent arms dealers from Kumogakure continue to fund the banditry as they historically have. Although Kumogakure has maintained relative peace with most of the other shinobi nations, they are typically regarded as antisocial as a nation, despite their village having hosted one of the recent Chūnin exams.

1. Shinkama, Kazuyto (First Raikage, deceased) {NPC}
2. Ikibaiya, Nam (Second Raikage, deceased) {NPC}
3. Omega (Third Raikage, deceased) {NPC}
4. A (Fourth Raikage, deceased) {NPC}
5. Darui (Fifth Raikage, deceased) {NPC}
6. Shinkama, Arata (Sixth Raikage, deceased) {NPC}
7. Kuang, Lin and Kuang, Lo (Seventh Raikages, deceased)
8. Akiyama, Taiya (Eighth Raikage, deceased)
9. Midnight (Ninth Raikage, location unknown)
10. Misora, Reika (Tenth Raikage, deceased)
11. Flynt, Sanosuke (Eleventh Raikage, location unknown)
12. Miyamoto, Hastur (Twelfth Raikage, current)

The Land of Lightning is a sparsely populated country divided by massive mountain ranges, and connected via man-made tunnels, modified natural caves, and long roads that wind up, over, and around the natural elevations. The towns in the Lightning Country are most commonly located seaside for easy access to trade, although some older towns deep within the mountains persist.

Chiharu is the de jure capital of the Lightning Country, and home to the Lightning Daimyō. The town gets its name from the various mountain-borne natural hot springs that run through the town, as well as the climate which provides the town with clear skies in a country otherwise dominated by consistent cloud cover.

In terms of industry, Chiharu produces very little, and relies primarily on its position at the eastern sea border of the Lightning Country for commerce. It is the largest trade hub in the Lightning Country, ahead of Kumogakure itself as well. Buildings in Chiharu are typically made of stone or imported wood, coloured brightly, and kept extremely clean due to the Lightning Daimyō’s preference.

Demographics
Population: 150,000
Population Density: 1,948/km²
Land Area: 77/km²

Economy: Excellent, on the incline
Relationship with Kumogakure: Good

Hiromitsu is the largest of the towns that reside within the Land of Lightning. Not unlike Chiharu, it is also built on the sea border, although Hiromitsu was constructed on the western border. The location has limited trade to a degree, however they are still a flourishing economy due to their large production and exporting of the unique chakra-conductive metal that is native to the Lightning Country.

The buildings in Hiromitsu are tall to support the large population within a relatively small amount of land area. They are primarily built from wood and plaster, although stone is a common building material scattered throughout as well.

Demographics
Population: 330,000
Population Density: 3,666/km²
Land Area: 90/km²

Economy: Moderate, on the decline
Relationship with Kumogakure: Fair
Relationship with Chiharu: Poor

Kenkami is the Land of Lightning’s oldest town, built into the side of one of the country’s largest mountains. In terms of elevation, Kenkami sits just barely above cloud level, where the ground beneath them is obscured when looking out from the various walls and catwalks that connect the mountains, but the clouds are close enough to touch if one were to reach out. Kenkami is largely a spiritual and religious town that has no exports or internal production to speak of. Its continued existence is something akin to a museum, and is solely supported by Chiharu by order of the current Lightning Daimyō.

Demographics
Population: 1,000
Population Density: 250/km²
Land Area: 4/km²

Economy: Moderate, stagnated
Relationship with Kumogakure: Poor
Relationship with Chiharu: Excellent

Takana is Takao's mother, and her place in his life has left her deserving of his utmost respect. Tough yet loving, Takana is the sole reason that Takao's career as a shinobi was able to continue after the injury to his leg.

Takagi is Takao's sister, and the primary source of guidance for him when he was younger and considerably more troubled. Takagi and Takao have a strong family relationship, that usually involves getting on each other's nerves constantly, fighting and bickering at nearly every opportunity, and always being there for the other when needed. In the place of Takagi's late husband, Takao has also acted as a sort of mentor for her son, Takahiro.

As the son of his sister, Takao loves Takahiro as family. Takao has acted as a mentor for his nephew since his time in the academy, helping to guide him in the right direction in the absence of his late father.

As Takao's teacher from his time as a genin, Takao holds Kenta in high regard and respects him greatly, enough to threaten Iwagakure with war after they were framed for his faked assassination.

After meeting each other in the Kirigakure Wilderness, Takao quickly took a liking to Fuyuko. The threat of a storm brewing in the distance brought them closer together in Fuyuko's home within the village, where they shared a conversation over a meal as the storm raged on outside. Fuyuko allowed Takao to stay the night, which lead to him barging into her bedroom after hearing her nightmare-induced scream. The pair shared an intimate moment after finding that they shared similar beliefs, and solidified the beginning of their relationship with a kiss.

Afterward, Takao and Fuyuko reunited in Kaze no Kuni after Takao's trip to Yukigakure, during the Siege of Inabayama. Initially Takao only intended to fight Lamya, whom he believed was a threat to Fuyuko who was in observance, but the invasion of Sunagakure radicals and other forces lead him to seek Fuyuko out after the initial fight. There, he fought alongside her, and carried her to a medical tent when the battle was winding down. When they were both rested and healed, they returned to Mizu no Kuni together.

Fuyuko and Takao's relationship deepened when she stumbled upon Takao during a severe schizophrenic episode, which left a large portion of Kirigakure's forest on fire. Her presence helped calm him down, and they confessed their love for one another while surrounded in flames. Takao carried her home that night, and in the morning, they set off for Konohagakure.

Takao met Kirei briefly in Kirigakure after researching his background and abilities in preparation for the reformation of ROOT. Kirei became the first genin to be conscripted into the organization, and Takao has taken a personal interest in his progression and protection.

Takao met Verdandi in Yukigakure after arranging to deal with a remnant of Hao's Amaterasu. Afterward, Takao and Verdandi coincidentally met again several times in Kaze no Kuni, and engaged in regular competition on several missions.

Met briefly in Kumogakure during the Chūnin Exams, where they fought one another in a melee-only exhibition match. Takao respects him as a capable fighter, but knows little of him otherwise.

Takao fought alongside Nova during a mission in Kirigakure. Takao respects her as a capable fighter, but knows little of her otherwise.

Takao met Hika briefly in the ruins of Sunagakure while searching for scrolls that contained specific forgotten techniques. After Hika attempted to communicate with Takao through his mind, Takao's schizophrenia flared up and threw him into a violent outburst. Although barely, Takao managed to handle his outburst without hurting Hika.

Takao is highly critical of the current Hokage, namely his lax treatment of Nuke-nin and defectors. Takao does not believe that Rippa is fit to be Hokage, and while he is not opposed to personally deposing Rippa himself, Takao does not believe that such action is necessary yet.

Takao knows little of the current Mizukage, Ayakashi, outside of public hearsay. Takao fundamentally disagrees with some of Kirigakure's methodology under Ayakashi's rule, but ultimately respects her for the good she has done for the village.

Although Takao knows little of the current Raikage, Hastur, he believes him to be a loose cannon and an unpredictably destructive force. Although he has no opinion personally, Takao is wary.

Takao and Shibirin fought atop Lord Rikimaru's castle in the Land of Iron during Hao's attack on the Gokage Summit. Given that it has been their only interaction, Takao does not think highly of Shibirin.

Takao's former student during his time as Hokage. After Takao handed the mantle over to the next Hokage while recovering from injury, Tatsumaru managed his way into the position. During a fight, his recklessness damaged large parts of Konohagakure, which angered Takao greatly.

Takao and Daremo briefly clashed at the tail end of the Siege of Inabayama, after he and Mizuki attacked Takao and Fuyuko in retaliation for Takao's kidnapping of Myrddin. Takao believes him to be a supporter of Hastur.

Takao and Mizuki briefly clashed at the tail end of the Siege of Inabayama, after she and Daremo attacked Takao and Fuyuko in retaliation for Takao's kidnapping of Myrddin. Takao believes her to be a supporter of Hastur.

Takao's abusive father, who suffered from the same mental illness as Takao. As a child, Takafumi would force Takao to sit in rings of his own fire to force him to face his fear of the element, which lead to Takao's mental illness worsening, as well as his development of other post-traumatic and anxiety disorders.

Takafumi's schizophrenia worsened in his later adulthood when Takao was a teenager, and he defected from Konohagakure when Takao was inaugurated as Hokage. This lead to Takao and Takafumi fighting, and the former being injured severely. Later on, Takao and Takafumi would fight again, which lead to Takao killing Takafumi in the Earth Country.