TheNarutoseries is set in an era of peace of prosperity, with wars and conflicts almost non-existent. To attain this peace, however, the shinobi world had undergone several dire events that changed the course of the entire world, with the Warring States Period being one such major event. This was anera of violent conflictthat lasted several decades, forcing shinobi factions to fight each other as nations hired mercenary clans to do their bidding.
The fight for power, land, and influence was never-ending, with small nations constantly hiring mercenary clans to compete for more power. The constant fighting between the same factions led to an ever-lasting animosity between certain clans, and despite the fighting eventually ceasing with the formation of the Five Great Nations, the hatred that had formed still remained a point of contempt. The events of this time period also explain therift between the Senju and Uchiha Clans, making the Warring States Period a significant point in history for the Hidden Leaf.
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The Warring States Period
As the name suggests, the Warring States Period was an era in theNarutouniverse when small nations and factions continuously fought each other for more power, land, and influence among the region. The period saw an unending amount of violence and bloodshed, with each nation hiring mercenary ninja and pinning them against each other.Children were the biggest victimsof this violence as they would be sent into battle alongside adults, resulting in the children getting killed by their older and more competent opponents.
The constant bloodshed further gave way to hatred and animosity between the belligerent clans as the constant fighting between the same clans led to personal vendettas. The two clans affected the most by this hatred werethe Senju and Uchiha Clans. The Senju were known for being adept in all ninja arts, while the Uchiha were renowned for their famed Sharingan – leading to the two clans becoming the strongest factions. If a nation would hire one of these two clans, the opposing country would hire the other, leading to constant battle between the two. Losing many of their loved ones at the hands of the other, the Senju and Uchiha had become sworn enemies with utter disdain and contempt for one another.
Hashirama and Madara’s Encounters
Between the constant fighting and deadly encounters, two young shinobi from the Senju andUchiha Clans had accidentallymet each other outside of the battlefield, not knowing each other’s true identity. Relating to each other’s pain of losing loved ones and a deep contempt for the constant bloodshed, the two had dreamed of one day achieving an era of peace and prosperity. However, the encounters between the two ceased once their respective clans figured out the identities of both shinobi.
The two would later meet on the battlefield on opposing sides, with both becoming the respective leaders of their clans. Madara had lost all hope for his dream of achieving peace, yet Hashirama remained hell-bent on the notion of one-day brokering peace between the factions. Staying true to his ideals,Hashirama offered a peace dealbetween the Senju and Uchiha on several encounters, though Madara was never truly pleased with the idea after losing his siblings to the fighting.
End of the Warring States Period
The growing pressure to surrender after many Uchiha members sided with the Senju over the possibility of peace led to Madara finally giving in to the idea of an alliance. Though it wasn’t before Madara fought Hashirama to the death, with the latter defeating the former fairly in battle. Madara was willing to die rather than accept peace between the two clans, until Hashirama offered to sacrifice himself if it would finally allow peace to prevail.
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Moved by Hashirama’s sentimental gesture, Madara finally accepted a peace treaty between the two clans, giving birth tothe Hidden Leaf Village. Other clans decided to join the alliance, with the Shimura and Sarutobi Clans being the first to become a part of the Hidden Leaf. Inspired by the events of rehabilitation between two sworn enemies, other factions followed suit and joined forces, leading to former nations being abolished and the Five Great Nations being formed – marking the end of the Warring States Period.
Real-World Influence
The Warring States Period has been recorded in two different points in history, with each having a significant impact on the course of history.Japan’s Warring States Eralasted for almost two centuries after the Ashikaga Shogunate collapsed and various factions were formed. The events in theNarutoseries are a clear reflection of this period as shinobi were in high demand in Japan, hired for purposes such as infiltration, espionage, and assassinations.
China underwent a similar time period in its history known as the Warring States Period. The period lasted for almost three centuries with various city-states and factions fighting for control and power. The fighting finally ceased in 221 BC after the State of Qin gained complete control over China, forming the Qin Dynasty. The influence of these real-world events can be clearly witnessed inNaruto, adding a layer of complexity to the events that followed in the series.
