Will of the Mountain

The "Will of the Mountain" (岳の意志, Take no Ishi) is an ideological belief that prevails in the Land of Mountains; particularly in its shinobi in the village of Yamagakure. The ideology was developed by Saizō Kirigakure, the Third Yamakage, and his idea that the mountain is a massive earthen shield which shelters and protects those that take refuge behind it. In the same manner, he believes that all Yamagakure shinobi should shelter and protect one another, and more importantly, their land and village. It has since been passed on to many Yamagakure shinobi as part of the village's spiritual heritage.