Narutoverse

In the Ninja World, countries operate as separate political entities ruled by Daimyo, or Feudal Lords. Within these countries are hidden villages, settlements housing ninja, warriors capable of using super power abilities in combat. A hidden village maintains the economy of the parent country by training ninja from a young age and using them to perform missions for their own, or other countries. Furthermore, separate parties can hire ninja for purposes such as protection. The ninja of a hidden village serve as the military force of their parent country. The leaders of the hidden villages hold equal status with the leaders of their respective countries. Five countries in the Ninja World: the Land of Earth, the Land of Fire, the Land of Lightning, the Land of Water, and the Land of Wind are known as the "Five Great Shinobi Nations". These countries are the most powerful in the Ninja World. They are ruled by a feudal lord and the leaders of the hidden villages in these countries hold the title of Kage. During the "Fourth Ninja World War", the hidden villages of all five nations join together to confront Akatsuki's forces as the "Ninja Alliance Army" or "Shinobi Alliance." Other apparently smaller nations have been named in passing, in either the manga or anime, but are yet to be explored in detail.