Iwagakure's economic blockade was like an invisible hand clamped tightly around Konoha's throat.
A sense of suffocation slowly spread through the village.
The first to buckle were the lowest-ranking civilian ninja.
Konoha, Mission Assignment Hall.
The hall, once packed to the brim with voices and people, was now so deserted that one could hear their own heartbeat.
Only a few mission scrolls hung sparsely on the walls, and they were all useless D-rank jobs like "find a cat" or "clear rats from the sewers."
"What the hell is this?! Why are there so many fewer commissions this month?!"
A burly chunin with a scar across his face slammed his fist into the empty mission board.
His name was Tanaka, a civilian ninja without any background who supported his entire family by taking missions.
"Stop howling, Tanaka."
His companion leaned weakly against the wall, gaunt and yellow-faced from hunger, barely able to muster the strength to speak.
"You know perfectly well that all the major clients are placing their orders with Iwagakure now."
"I heard their service is better, and their prices are ridiculously cheap."
Another ninja added sourly.
"Iwagakure is loaded these days. Even escort missions use some kind of iron contraption called an 'armored vehicle.' It can travel eight hundred li a day—fast and safe."
"Damn it, this life is unbearable!"
Tanaka cursed furiously.
"Two of my brothers died on a mission last month, and their compensation still hasn't been paid!"
"I went to ask the Finance Department, and they actually said the village had no money and told me to wait!"
The moment those words were spoken, the already oppressive atmosphere in the hall was instantly ignited.
"No money? How could they have no money?!"
A young genin jumped up in agitation, his face flushed red.
"Yesterday, I