Country of Sound (音の国) — a small state bordering the Land of Fire. On the political map of the shinobi world, it appeared relatively recently, although it had existed earlier under another name. Before Orochimaru's arrival, this territory was called the Land of Rice Fields (田の国) and did not play a noticeable role in international relations. The country is located at the intersection of important routes, making it a convenient base for operations, but at the same time it often became an arena of conflicts between great powers.
The climate and landscape of the country are not disclosed in detail, but it is known that dense forests and rocky formations existed on its territory, suitable for creating hidden hideouts. Thanks to geographical proximity to the Land of Fire, Orochimaru was able to quickly transfer forces and conduct covert activities.
Administratively, the Country of Sound long remained a vassal territory with its own daimyō. Only after Orochimaru concluded an agreement with the ruler did a full-fledged military infrastructure appear here. In the anime, it is shown that local clans — Fūma, Shī, and others — were weakened as a result of unsuccessful military campaigns, and their surviving members either turned to banditry or joined the new regime.
The center of power became Otogakure (Hidden Sound Village) — Orochimaru's personal village, formally subordinate to the daimyō, but in fact governed by the sannin himself. Unlike classical hidden villages, Otogakure was oriented not toward protecting the country, but toward conducting experiments, developing cursed seals, and training fighters for the realization of Orochimaru's ambitions.
