Land of Water, Village Hidden in the Mist - Kirigakure
The Land of Water (水の国, Mizu no Kuni) is oriented towards the element of water. Its government leader is the Water Daimyō. It is composed of many islands, with each having its own unique traditions. The country's weather is typically cool and full of mist and lakes. In some places, like the area where Haku grew up, it is very cold and snows quite a bit. Little is currently known about it and it apparently leaves itself out of most political affairs, which is understandable considering that it is composed of vast islands relatively remote from the continent containing the other four major countries. What is known, however, is that the country used to be ravaged by many civil wars, during which clans with Kekkei Genkai were used extensively, causing many to view them as harbingers of war and death, leading to purges and genocide to the point of parents killing their own children. Kirigakure (霧隠れの里, Kirigakure no Sato; Literally meaning "Village Hidden in the Mist") is located in the Land of Water. As one of the five great ninja villages, Kirigakure has a Kage as its leader known as the Mizukage. An unusually high number of missing-nin seem to originate from this village. A unique classification of ninja known as hunter-nin are specifically tasked with eliminating these defectors. In matters of land area, the Land of Water is undoubtedly the smallest of the five great nations, not being much larger than some of the largest minor countries. Among the Hidden Mist Village, seven shinobis are reconized as the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. Members of this group are quite powerful and skilled with a blade. Famous members include Kisame Hoshigaki of the Akatsuki and Zabuza Momochi.
