As the Land of Fire's decision to raise taxes during the war spread, the feudal lords of the major nations began following suit. War required vast resources, and the major hidden villages needed enormous financial backing to expand their armaments, recruit shinobi, purchase weapons and equipment, and more.
However, these war funds would not come directly from the feudal lords' personal wealth. In the end, the burden would still fall on the lowest classes of each nation.
The Feudal Lord of the Land of Earth had recognized the resources an approaching war would require even before Iwagakure declared war on Konoha.
Though the Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, was forceful, the feudal lord knew that Iwagakure's military expenses would rise rapidly.
After consulting with his advisers, the Land of Earth decided to drastically raise taxes on its people.
The war was packaged as a necessary act to "defend the homeland," while increased taxation was presented as a justified measure to "support national security."
Although small-scale protests began erupting in certain areas, those voices were swiftly suppressed. The people were told that this was to protect them from the threat of war.
The situation in the Land of Lightning was similar.
The Third Raikage, A, insisted on launching a war against Konoha. Though the Feudal Lord of the Land of Lightning was ambitious, he could not ignore the immense resources war would consume.
To support Kumogakure's war effort, the Land of Lightning likewise raised taxes on its people and even tightened its control over border territories, forcing smaller nations to provide it with more resources.
These oppressive measures provoked resistance in some villages, but under the Third Raikage's violent suppression, the voices of rebellion were quickly crushed.
The Land of Water's economy was even more fragile.
Kirigakure's pro-war faction pushed the war forward,