Gaara

In Star City, the Nether River ran through the entire city from north to south like a dark-green ribbon, dividing Star City into two banks with utterly different styles.

West of the river stretched continuous residential districts for common citizens. Houses with white walls and gray tiles stood in neat rows, and as Star City had flourished in recent years, newly built neighborhoods kept expanding toward the Nether River Plains. The once-barren land had been bought by the government and replanned, turning into brand-new communities one after another.

East of the river, however, was the administrative heart of the Land of Stars.

There were towering government buildings, heavily guarded military zones, experimental parks encircled by white walls, and residential compounds assigned to officials of every rank and military families.

The clan grounds of many ninja clans sat on both banks of the Nether River, and the most illustrious among them was naturally the Uchiha clan.

Beside the traditional Japanese-style buildings of the Uchiha clan grounds, a modern three-story building stood quietly, its white outer walls giving off a soft sheen in the morning light.

The early-morning sunlight slipped through the gaps in the curtains, scattering flecks of light over the "love" character on Gaara's face.

He slowly opened his eyes, his pale-green pupils gradually focusing through the daze of just waking.

After sitting up from the soft bed, Gaara rubbed his somewhat messy red hair. Neatly folded beside the bed was the standard blue-gray uniform of a Hoshinin.

"Awake?" a rough voice sounded in his mind, carrying its usual impatience.

Gaara did not answer right away. Instead, he got up and walked toward the washroom.

He turned on the tap, and cool water rushed over his fingers.

He scooped up a handful of water and splashed it onto his face.