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Ninja Villages
The large portion of the plot of Naruto involves the actions going on between different "hidden" Ninja villages. There are ten villages in the world of Naruto, and each takes the path of the ninja in a slightly different way. Below will be brief explanations of each village, with a full description devoted to Konoha, the village in which most of the game takes place. In addition there will be a general summary of the actions of villages. The lot of this thing is to familiarize yourself with the world of Naruto, so if you've already seen the show, you probably don't need to read it.
General village decorum
Each village is located in a seperate country, and acts as the military force for that country. The villages themselves are independant of any actions of the country, and train their children in that villages particular brand of Inindo. Each village has different ages and qualifications for graduation into the world of the ninja, but once people graduate they are put in teams, each with an experienced leader. Teams are given missions by their village leader, called a "Kage" to perform, based on their abilities. Villages get the missions by contracting out to the country heads or wealthy businessmen or anybody that can afford it, and sometimes missions will come from, or lead to, another country or village, and in this case each village acts quite a bit like a business. In addition, villages will have their own plans and agendas, and will spy on and sometimes even make war with other countries or villages.
One important factor for a young Genin to know is that in order to advance to the next rank of ninja, they must go through the Chuunin exam. One Chuunin exam is held every season, and not only does it give ninjas from all the villages a chance to compete, it gives country heads a way to show off their villages power, and beaurocrats a way to see what they're buying. The exam is entered as a team, and has three components. First is a written test, followed by a survival test, where the ninjas have to go into the wilderness and compete over a limited number of objects. The survivors are then paired up in a single elimination tournament, the battles of which are viewed by all the spectators listed above. It is those spectators who vote on ninja performance, and choose who gets promoted. It is also important to note that only one Chuunin exam is held, for all the villages. For that one half a week or so per season, every village gets together in a pre-determined location to have it, and all ninjas compete equally.
Finally, we have a world map of the Naruto universe posted here. It will show the positionings of each village, and the country borders.
Specific Villages
It's important to note that many of these villages are simply not listed at all in the show or the manga. For this reason I've had to make their descriptions exceedingly vague, so that as the show and manga give them airtime I can fill in information.
Hidden Village of Leaf (Konoha)
Konoha is situated in the country of Fire, and is largely known as not only the biggest village in the biggest country, but also the strongest village. It's ninjas specialize in balanced tactics, and it is home to many specialist clans and two bloodline families. The Hokage rules over this land with a very gentle hand, and it is widely thought amongst other villages that in the current time of peace this village has gone soft. Konoha won the great war, and its current power resembles this, but other villages may be improving faster than it is. Konoha invented several things, such as medical Jutsu and a large variety of other skills. It is said that they are currently highly at odds with the Village of Sound.
Hidden Village of Sand
The Hidden Village of Sand is most definitely the second largest village, situated in the middle of a desert and surrounded by natural barriers. A very paranoid village, they treat the world as if the war were still going on, and tend to be very wary of other villages. Their ninja usually specialize in one thing or another, whatever it may be. This village created Puppet Jutsu, and their puppeteers are well known as the best in the land. Currently they are allied with Konoha, although some wonder whether or not Sand is very serious at all about the alliance.
Hidden Village of Rain
The village of Rain, located between Konoha and the Sand, is in a rather small country and thus a small village itself. Much like the village of Mist its ninja are usually adept at Suiton, but unlike them nearly every Rain ninja carries the special needle-umbrella they use for their specialist jutsu.
Hidden Village of Mist
Located on a large island far to the east of the mainland, the village of Mist is usually pretty far away from any hostilities that may break out amongst villages. This doesn't mean that they are peaceful though, this village is known for some of the most outlandish and barbaric coming of age and graduation tests and rituals of any village. Their ninja usually specialize in Suiton, Genjutsu and the use of swords, and are most at home in areas where a lot of water is nearby.
Hidden Village of Grass
Located next to the village of Rain, Grass and Rain are good allies, having to fend off the more powerful Leaf, Sand and Rock surrounding them. Users of Katon and specializing in speed, their ninja can surprise those who treat them as a weak village.
Hidden Village of Rock
The hidden village of Rock, high in the mountains on the northwestern end of the map, was the initiator of the great war so long ago. Nearly every Rock ninja knows a few Doton, and they're commonly known for being very sneaky, and playing very dirty. Their tactics proved them to be very deadly in the war, and they gained a lot of territory. It is currently unknown whether they will keep what they have, or whether they wish for more.
Hidden Village of Waterfall
The Waterfall village is probably the most peaceful of all, and very little is known about it. In a very small country, they keep to themselves and were almost non involved in the great war. Their ninja specialize chiefly in Genjutsu, and will often win a fight without damaging their opponent.
Hidden Village of Sound
Only barely considered a village by most of the Kage's, the hidden village of Sound was started by Orochimaru when he left Konoha years ago. The smallest of all the villages, it does not take missions from employers, and doesn't even have its own country. Standing at the far edge of Konoha lands, Orochimaru spends most of his time scheming to take out the Hokage and his children. Although the village is small and the majority of its ninja weak comparatively, the upper echelon of this village is incredibly strong, moreso than your average upper grade forces. Orochimaru himself is easily as strong as any Kage.
Hidden Village of Cloud
Specializing in spying, tactics and long range warfare, the village of Cloud lies far to the northeast, their geographic location allowing them to participate in the politics of the world while making themselves immune to most anything they wish. They are meddlers, and are often messing where they don't belong.
Hidden Village of Snow
A technologically advanced village, the Snow country is the only one that sports things like trains, cars and rudimentary firearms. Its ninjas are masters of water and ice techniques, and use things called "Chakra armor" that magnify their power. A small village, it just recently went through a political upheaval, and isn't seen as much of a threat, despite its excellently equipped ninja.
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