With a plethora of nations making up the Shinobi world, the Naruto series has a lot to offer in terms of its intricate worldbuilding. However, most of the focus remains on the Five Great Nations throughout the series, leading to other smaller nations being sidelined for the most part. The Hidden Grass Village is one such example, a nation located between the Hidden Stone Village and the Hidden Leaf Village. While the village might be a minor power in the grand scheme of things of the shinobi world, either due to its small size or miniscule military strength, it still managed to take center stage a handful of times throughout the Naruto series in one way or another.

Moreover, the Hidden Grass Village has remained a significant nation in the history of the Shinobi world as well, especially pertaining to pivotal events that off-set the primary plot of the Naruto series. While the Hidden Grass Village may have remained in the background for the most part, it is still one of the most significant nations apart from the Five Great Shinobi Villages.

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A Nation Known For Diplomacy

The Hidden Grass Village Has Survived Despite Being Embroiled in Conflicts

Due to its small size and meager military, the Hidden Grass Village has rarely been mentioned throughout the Naruto series. Despite its status, however, the Hidden Grass Village or Kusagakure has played a significant role in several key events in the Naruto series. The Hidden Grass Village is known for its diplomacy, a trait that has allowed it to survive in the shinobi world, despite being cornered between two of the Five Great Shinobi Villages.

Sandwiched between the Hidden Leaf Village and the Hidden Stone Village, the Hidden Grass Village once became a battleground for these two great shinobi nations. However, it never met the same fate as the Hidden Rain Village, despite bearing similar circumstances and being used as a battleground for war. This feat can be attributed to the Hidden Grass Village’s diplomacy, as it was able to work out treaties and deals with its neighboring nations.

This is further evident by the fact that during the first Chunin Exams in the Naruto series, Hidden Grass Shinobi were one of the few foreign shinobi that took part in the exams. While it was never exactly stated that the two villages were allied, the Hidden Grass Village can be seen participating in the Leaf Village’s Chunin Exams, which hints towards a somewhat neutral or positive diplomatic relationship between the two nations. Shiore of the Hidden Grass Village also became a prominent character during the Chunin Exams, as her face was stolen by Orochimaru to infiltrate the exams. Moreover, Hozuki Castle, a prison known for its iron wall defenses, is also located in the Hidden Grass Village. The Hidden Leaf and Hidden Grass’ diplomatic ties are further evident from the fact that prisoners are often extradited to Hozuki Castle from the Hidden Leaf Village.

The Hidden Grass’ Role During the Third Shinobi War

The Kannabi Bridge Incident Took Place in the Hidden Grass

While the Hidden Grass Village was never one of the main belligerents or instigators of the Third Great Ninja War, it still served a significant role throughout the entire conflict. Serving as a battleground for the Hidden Leaf and Hidden Stone’ forces, the Hidden Grass Village soon became a land embroiled in a conflict that it had no stake in. The Kannabi Bridge incident, a significant location and a pivotal event in the Naruto series, took place in the Hidden Grass Village during this time. The Kannabi Bridge was a vital supply line for the Hidden Stone Village’s Shinobi forces, and without it, their forces were likely to retreat or perish in the war.

It was during the mission to destroy the Kannabi Bridge that Obito Uchiha met his untimely demise. With the newly-promoted Jonin Kakashi Hatake and Minato Namikaze serving as team captains, the entire squad was sent on the grisly mission of destroying Kannabi Bridge by themselves. With just a four-man squad sent in to deter an entire army by destroying a key entry point, the Kannabi Bridge mission was bound to go awry.

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With the team split up, the Hidden Stone’s forces were able to corner and outnumber Kakashi’s squad, resulting in Obito Uchiha sacrificing himself to save his team. This event served as a pivotal point in the Naruto universe’s timeline, one that set into motion several key events in the entire series. The Kannabi Bridge incident is often mentioned in the Naruto series, yet its location in the Hidden Grass is often overlooked.

The Tenchi Bridge Incident

A Secret Rendezvous in the Hidden Grass

The Tenchi Bridge Arc was one of the earliest arcs in Shippuden, yet it also served as a key plot point in the Naruto series. After Sasori’s defeat, Team 7 gained new information pertaining to the Akatsuki, particularly Sasori’s spy who was set to meet him in 10 days’ time. Their meetup was set to take place on Tenchi Bridge, a location in the Hidden Grass Village. Surrounded by forests and spread across a ravine, Tenchi Bridge is also one of the key points in the Hidden Grass Village’s infrastructure.

The Tenchi Bridge incident later became a significant plot point for the series, as this was the first meeting between Naruto and Orochimaru after the timeskip. Moreover, Naruto went on a rampage in his Nine-Tails form for the first time in Shippuden. The Tenchi Bridge mission was also Team 7’s first mission with Captain Yamato and Sai. Overall, the Tenchi Bridge Arc allowed the Hidden Leaf to get one step closer to discovering the Akatsuki’s secrets and Orochimaru’s plans with Sasuke.

Kusagakure’s Role in Karin’s Backstory

The Hidden Grass Served As a Hometown For a Major Character

Apart from the Hidden Grass’ role in the Shinobi Wars and other political affairs, the nation also served as one of the last remaining Uzumaki’s homeland. After the Land of Whirlpool’s destruction and the massacre of the Uzumaki Clan, the last remaining Uzumaki members spread out across the world, with Karin’s mother being one of those survivors. She took refuge in the Hidden Grass Village, a nation that cunningly exploited her for her healing technique. Karin’s mother possessed a unique healing technique that allowed any shinobi to regain their entire chakra pool by merely biting her body.

During the Hidden Grass Village’s conflicts, the nation used Karin’s mother’s body as a chakra dispenser, as they would bite into her and replenish their chakra. After she passed away from losing all her chakra, Karin’s mother was replaced by Karin herself, who was merely a child being used by shinobi to bite into her body and replenish their chakra. The entire ordeal is arguably one of the saddest and most traumatic incidents in the Naruto series, with a child being used as nothing more than a tool for war, and that too, in such an abusive way. Karin’s backstory shows the dark side of the Shinobi world, as it showcases that not only are the Five Great Nations involved in war crimes and criminal offenses, but smaller nations have also taken part in these heinous atrocities and unspeakable crimes.

Naruto is available to stream on Prime Video.