Chapter 175: May I Please have a Cappuccino?

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A's efforts to consolidate power were—successful. Elder Advisor and Elder Arai were gone.

The Raikage's authority, during this "wartime" period, was absolute.

The skirmishes at the border towns continued.

Everything was proceeding according to plan.

The Raikage Tower's grip tightened, and the clans' resources—dwindling.

Merchants, fearing the escalating conflict, began selling their assets at a loss, some even abandoning their businesses and fleeing with whatever they could carry.

Kumogakure, in turn, acquired valuable resources and technology at bargain prices, bolstering its economy.

And those fleeing merchants?

A few went to the Land of Earth. But Iwagakure, though peaceful, was—isolated, its semi-militaristic regime offering little—freedom.

Some chose Kirigakure.

With the Bloody Mist era over, they were eager for investment.

And their alliance with Konoha brought—new ideas.

Though the humidity was high, and the risk of a Bloody Mist resurgence remained—it was still a desirable location.

High risk, high reward!!

Most, however, went to the Land of Fire. Konoha, a beacon of—progress, offered the best—amenities.

As long as you had the money, you could enjoy the finest seafood from the Land of Water, imported chocolate and coffee, and—other—services.

They earned their money in the Land of Lightning and spent it in the Land of Fire — nothing left for home.

These—refugees, having tasted luxury, were—captivated.

They'd spend their fortunes, and then, once their pockets were empty, be discarded like—yesterday's trash.

The Land of Fire was a paradise for the wealthy—especially near Konoha.

Some even spent half their fortunes just for a Konoha Green Card, a chance to experience true luxury.

This influx of wealth, however, created—opportunities.

In Konoha's shadows, "underground clubs" emerged, offering exclusive, high-priced services.

Kumogakure's loss was—everyone else's gain.

And the Raikage's temper had—improved.

Perhaps, after a few more—demonstrations of strength against the remaining dissenters, he could finally—call for a truce.

Having Konoha occupy their border towns wasn't—ideal. They were losing face, and Konoha was profiting.

Kumogakure had increased tariffs on sea trade, and Konoha's presence had made land routes more expensive.

They'd tried opening a new route through the Land of This, but with their resources stretched thin—it wasn't sustainable. Though their economy was growing, it wasn't—stable.

And in the shadows, Kumogakure's spirit was—eroding.

...

...

Mabui, sipping milk tea at a newly opened Café, was a prime example.

She'd read the latest issue of [Iki] and marveled at the Uzumaki's—tolerance.

If they tried taxing sunlight, Kumogakure's citizens would—revolt.

Most of them were dark-skinned, thanks to the sun. Taxing sunlight? That would be—adding insult to injury.

She'd have to—respect Uzushiogakure's customs.

[Iki] hadn't offered much—insight this time. She'd hoped for more—Suna jokes in The Forest Reader.

No, not jokes. Perhaps—Iwagakure jokes.

She preferred The Forest Reader's—directness, and its critical perspective. It was—cathartic, to judge other villages.

She took a sip of her milk tea and glanced at the headline. Her face—twitched.

"Land of Fire Observations: One Coffee, Three Prices; Konoha Hospital's Hustle; Reflections of a Land of Lightning Citizen?"

"That's a—long title."

Mabui's heart sank. The author—the same one who'd written the Summer Camp article?

That—Shinobi World idealist? She'd been hoping for—criticism of other villages. Now, it was Kumogakure's turn?

She took a deep breath and began reading:

[Foreword: I am a Land of Lightning citizen, a firm believer in—Shinobi World Unity. My anonymity is due to my—small social circle.]

[The following are my observations in the Land of Fire, after witnessing the—disparities between Konoha and Suna students at the Summer Camp. These disparities—they reveal a profound difference between the Land of Fire and the Land of Lightning.]

[On a business trip to the Fire Daimyo's capital, I met an old friend who invited me to a coffee shop. I readily accepted.]

[Coffee, a new Konoha beverage with—invigorating properties, is still—expensive and scarce. A true—loss for the Shinobi World.]

[The coffee shop, "Silicon Valley's Secret Coffee," was—unremarkable. Its décor was simple, but the atmosphere was—warm and inviting. It was bustling with customers.]

[I was immediately struck by the—warmth of the Land of Fire's people. A man, upon entering, embraced a woman at another table. She returned the embrace. He then ordered a coffee and paid 666 ryō. Expensive, but the shop's popularity spoke volumes about the Land of Fire's prosperity.]

[My friend arrived, and I went to the counter. I glanced at the menu and, in my—broken Land of Fire dialect, ordered a "Cappuccino." The server looked at me, a bit puzzled, and asked me to repeat myself. I did. He then handed me the coffee and said, "That'll be 999 ryō, sir." I was—surprised. I asked again. Still 999. Though I wondered about the other man's 666 ryō coffee, I paid.]

[Back at our table, I complained to my friend, "Why 999 for me, but 666 for him? That's not fair!"]

[A woman entered and ordered the same coffee. She paid 777 ryō. The same coffee, three different prices. I was—outraged.]

[My friend laughed and explained, "It's about—how you address the server. 'Give me a Cappuccino,' it's 999. 'Please give me a Cappuccino,' it's 777. But if you say, 'Hello, may I please have a Cappuccino?' and perhaps offer a hug—it's 666."]

[I was—enlightened. In the Land of Lightning, we simply—point and grunt. I felt ashamed of my rudeness.]

[According to Land of Fire folklore, when the 'red phone' was first introduced, they wasted nearly two million ryō because of the word 'please.' Even so, they persisted. Such is their dedication to politeness.]

[A clever way to encourage courtesy, I thought. 'Silicon Valley's Secret Coffee' was teaching people to be—respectful. A 'polite coffee,' fostering a warm atmosphere, a subtle lesson in etiquette, a testament to the village's civility.]

[But then, my friend—introduced another concept. "Did you notice? They don't—expect tips here."]

["Tips? What are tips?" I asked.]

["I forgot you're new here. It's—a custom in service industries, a way to show—appreciation. The servers provide excellent service, and the customers, in turn, leave a—tip."]

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