Florence | The City of Wonder

The island city of Florence was founded several centuries ago, around the same time the majority of the larger villages began to emerge. A year after its founding, Florence was already thriving. Being very north of the Land of Water, the city had plenty of natural resources to work from. There was not nearly as much water that far north, allowing Florence to prosper.

Years passed, and the small city was seen as a major power in the shinobi world, right along with the major villages. However, when these villages began to band together to establish their strength, the almost-village Florence refused. Its people had already seen enough of these villages violent ways and foresaw the eventual danger ahead: war, death, and territorial takeover. The city's people took the opportunity then to protect and sort of "isolate" itself from the rest of the world. Other villages and towns did the same, but Florence took it to a whole new level. It was a slow process with a lot of planning and forethought, and was not complete until nearly half a decade later, but the city managed to surrounded itself with a large wall of earthen material, today known as the Shield. Aside from important matters, such as trade and gathering materials, hardly anyone was allowed to enter or leave the city. As to not become a controlling and hostile nation, Florence has always been willing to make exceptions for people coming into or out of the city walls.

The people were able to live quite happily in the closed off city. It got its true name soon afterward, "Florence" the "The City of Wonder". The walls protected the people from nearly every sort of threat, along with the guards who stood watch from the towers on the walls. Some worried that the city would not be able to sustain itself. And if it did, Florence would only grow and grow. How could such a massive civilization exist, borders or not? Bigger did not always equal better. The people of Florence were both inspired and made fearful by the ancient city in the Earth Country, which was rumored to be able to fit five Iwagakure's within its borders. "The City Torn Asunder", some called it. It managed to survive for a very long time, but it was said that its own size had been the city's undoing. Florence's citizens and founders knew it was possible, they just had to do it right.

Many years passed since the Shield was formed, and the people had begun to complain about the ever shrinking space. Outsiders were being let in to live, and the insiders were of course having children, and they were having children. What was Florence supposed to do? They couldn't kick anyone out, and they couldn't forbid people from having children. Banning outsiders from entering the walls was doable, but not this, not denying Florence's people a home or a family.

After much discussing with the highest councilors and aids of Florence, the people decided that they would expand Florence's walls. For weeks as this incredible project was prepared, the people inside were panicking and rejoicing. There were protesters and parades. It was a mad house. Part of the Shield had to be torn down, and then rebuilt to be wider to allow for more space inside the city. This would leave the city open for attack, and would cause much uproar in the nearby villages. It was a calm period for the shinobi world, so this was the most opportune time to start the renovation. However, if the people could not be calm, the militia would have to focus their attention between protecting Florence and maintaining the behavior of the citizens.

Determined, the city counsel demanded audience from the entire city. In an incredible speech that would forever be remembered and retold, the counsel men were able to bring their people to a unified understanding and obtained their total respect and cooperation.

With minor difficulties from bandits and small groups of invaders (who were all quickly defeated) the project went perfectly. Florence had increased its size by nearly threefold, and there was much celebration and commotion. Many villagers moved to the new part of the city, wanting to take full advantage of the increased space. This was a happier time for the people of Florence, and a golden age of sorts. However, the other villages were beginning to truly take notice of the protected city. They had power, defense, and a unified nation. If they ever were to one day start war or ally with a major power, the results could be disastrous.

Several more decades have gone by since Florence's renovation. More children were born, and more travelers and families have been accepted into the city walls. And, as always, the Shield had kept trouble and violence out of the city. For the most part. The recent criminal activity (some have coined it "the decay") has finally come to effect Florence. The negative influence has slipped into the borders and into smaller, nearby towns. Tiny nudges from both inside and outside the city are beginning to be noticed by a small number of the people. Inner criminal activity has increased, with some worried that bigger things are being planned. The most paranoid and afraid are suspecting slow corruption of the higher-ups and government, along with a coming war. While what's truly going on is unknown, this may not far from the truth.

It wasn't until the arrival of Nezumi Kotonashi to the island city of Florence that the people had sought so much hope from one singular man. In wake of him newly being crowned "The King" of the presiding Mist Village which was the actually power-house village of the Water Country. He had aimed to take claim of Florence and make it his own home. Promising the people of Florence hope and a new Shield of Protection they could rely on, they all fell into his ploy and allowed him to turn Florence into a province of Kirigakure. Making his rule in the city absolute. Nezumi first dealt with the increase of criminal activity as a sign of good faith for the people of Florence. Allowing the more skilled shinobi of Kirigakure to take hold of the malitia of the city which dauntingly scared the criminals back into hiding. With cruel punishments and torture anyone that disobeyed his laws were never to see day light again. Florence's folly was in entrusting so much power into Nezumi. For his true intentions of the city were to create his impenetrable castle which would serve as his fortress of solitude. He demanded it's construction prior to his accession as supreme overlord, finishing it in merely weeks. It's design intricate but small, the same size as the Mizukage's Office back in Kirigakure but it did more justice to the king. The symbol of his country "water" was placed as an insignia on the castle. The castle is called "Sioux"

Directly outside of the Great City's walls is a body of water that surrounds the entire city. This was done deliberately so make it harder for attackers enter and leave with their armies. Another reason for this water terrain is that going underground through the city walls is much more difficult. Decent skill in both the earth and water elements would be required, and would take much longer. Long enough for the chakra sensory guards to notice.

Further beyond Florence's borders it the village of Kirigakure no Sato several kilometers apart. These villages provide the Great City with business and have helped it flourish throughout its history.

The size of the city is similar to that of a miniature minor village and is surrounded by the Shield, the earthen walls. Florence has taken this a step further, its walls towering over the city with not even a single gate to allow entrance or exist. These borders exist for multiple reasons: for protection against threats, to keep out of the affairs of the rest of the world, and to maintain the mindset that they are their own nation, unallied with any other civilization. The city is not completely isolated from the world, however. Nearby populations still interact with Florence, usually for trading and minor political matters. While it is uncommon for the people of Florence to leave the city borders, it is allowed upon request.

Guards stand watch on top of the walls all hours through the day. These guards are all Imperial Kirigakure shinobi and vary in their skills. Chakra sensors, water manipulators, earth manipulators, and archers being the most common. The shinobi who show talent with the water and earth elements work together to defend the borders against invaders and to let people inside the city. A pillar of earth will separate from the ground and stop at the top of the wall, while water is dissected to make a clear path. Allowing people to sail into the village and dock, from there they can enter the city. The guards cannot just use their abilities to open the wall either.

Underneath the lower northern part of Florence is a whole other sector, the underground. It was fully complete nearly a decade ago as place to keep prisoners, have factories, and other places that had no need to be above ground. This temporarily increased the amount of space that Florence's people had. A big help now that it is nearly time for enough renovation, as no one wants to have their home underground. Nezumi took advantage of this sector when took control of the city using it has a place to interrogate and torture prisoners, and conduct secret meetings and a hide-out for safety.

As stated before Nezumi Kotonashi is the ruling power in Florence. Near the northern parts of Florence, there is a large palace where Nezumi occasionally (more than often) stays. This palace was given the name "Sioux".