Gaara Visits Prison

East of the Star City Metropolitan Area, at the edge of the Nether River Plains, lay the rolling mountains of Bear County.

The evening sun draped this range of steep, densely forested mountains, far from the clamor of the city, in a lonely orange-red afterglow.

The mountain wind passed through the sea of trees, raising a roar like waves.

A winding mountain road was the only man-made route into the depths of these mountains.

At the end of the road stood a massive mountain face that had been cut flat and reinforced.

At the center of the face was a deep tunnel entrance about ten meters tall and fifteen meters wide.

There were no markings above the entrance, only cold, hard concrete structures and dense clusters of surveillance cameras.

In front of the tunnel entrance was an open platform enclosed by high-voltage fencing and low concrete walls, with sturdy sentry posts, checkpoints, and several tall watchtowers.

Fully armed ninjas in dark gray uniforms stood rigidly at their posts, the atmosphere grim and oppressive.

This was Black Stone Prison, the largest and most heavily defended special prison under the Anbu Jurisdiction of the Land of Stars, where the most dangerous or most important prisoners were held.

Hidden deep in the heart of the mountains, cut off from the world, it was the final destination of countless secrets and sins.

Screech—

With a faint sound of braking, a sealed, dark green military vehicle bearing military plates came to a smooth stop on the concrete clearing in front of the tunnel checkpoint.

The doors opened, and three figures got out one after another.

Leading them was a red-haired boy of about thirteen. His features were delicate, but between his brows was a steadiness and detachment beyond his years. It was Gaara.

He wore