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By: Nagi-Oki, The Kabuto no Miko

Disclaimer: Still don't own Naruto. The foreigners and weirdoes they meet is another story.

Chapter 5: Seeking Those Who Walk With Dragons

Sakura had begun training under Tsunade about a weak ago and it was intense training, she had 100 of her attention unlike about 6 to 7 like she had under Kakashi. Naruto and Sasuke were such handfuls, who could blame him. She had shown a lot of improvement and a lot of promise as a medical ninja.

Her training was cut short when Shizune had given Tsunade a notice that had her call together a genin team. She had summoned Gai's team of TenTen, Lee, and Neji.

Tsunade handed a folder to Gai, "You four and Sakura are going to travel outside our countries' borders to the Country of the East. There are rumors that Jiraiya has traveled that far and might have taken the boys there. Once you get there, you must find the Village of the Blue Dragon. Your contact will be of the Long clan, otherwise known as the Dragon-Blooded clan."

Gai gave his glaring smile, "Not to worry, my team will locate our wayward shinobi, knock some sense into them, and bring them home!"

That promise was made three days ago. The team had hopped a train heading to the East country and would be there in the morning. Sakura was too worried to sleep. She stared out the window at the stars, wondering what Naruto and Sasuke were doing. She wondered if they were warm and safe. She wondered if Jiraiya was with them. She wondered how long TenTen would keep snoring like she was trying to snort a banana.

The other kunoichi had dozed off hours ago, leaving Sakura plenty of quiet time to worry a nice little ulcer in the lining of her stomach. She would feel so much better when they found their contact and searched for this village.

"Sakura-san?"

Sakura looked over at Lee, she almost forgotten he was there. How long was he was awake? She offered a small smile, "Sorry Lee did I wake you?"

The bowl cut genin shook his head, "No, I'm not tired. But I'm concerned about you."

Sakura felt the smile run from her face, her eyes drifting downwards.

"I know if Neji and TenTen ever vanished, I'd go CRAZY! But I know that Naruto and Sasuke are tough, they're probably just training somewhere safe. But I promise to do everything I can to help bring them back for you!"

Sakura couldn't help but giggle inside, Lee was so sweet to her. Too bad he looked so weird, if he looked more like Sasuke or to a lesser extent anybody else she'd happily forsake Sasuke to Ino-pig for him. But he was a good friend and she couldn't really picture him as anything else right now.

"Thank you Lee, I really appreciate it. I care about all my friends and if anything were to happen to them I'd never forgive myself..."

Lee offered Sakura one of those trademarked Gai/Lee pristine grins that could blind an eagle in midair. He then threw her the thumbs up. Sakura sweat dropped, that was another thing about Lee she didn't like. He was like a character out of an after school special or something. BIG TURN OFF.

The train pulled into the station of the East Country, one of the four directional countries outside the elemental belt. The cultures were similar but still varied in many ways. These countries are similar to China in design and population. This city bordered on a tremendous bamboo forest that lead all the way to the mist shrouded mountains that stood like silent watch towers of the quiet city below.

Sakura and Lee woke their teammates, eager to see what the outside country looked like. They noticed the stures of the buildings were very ornate, especially the roof tops. The colors of the village were much more vibrant than that of their stucato and cement buildings back home. Lee and TenTen couldn't help but 'Ooooh' and 'Aaaah' at the sights. Neji casually looked around thinking to himself how gaudy this city looked.

A man dressed in a shirt similar to TenTen's with longer sleeves approached the group, looking over them speculatively for a moment before asking, "Gai Maito and company?"

Gai flashed a grin and nodded, "The famed Green Beast of Konoha in the flesh!"

"I am Cho Gilong, representative of the Lord of the city. I have been instructed to take you to our security building for a briefing."

Gai gestured for his students to follow Cho, who led them to a a man drawn rikshaw. Soon they arrived at the security station where they met the chief of staff. The man showed an impressive degree of politeness and decorum for a captain.

"I understand you wish to visit the Village of Seiryuu, yes?"

Gai nodded, "Yes, it is believed some AWOL ninjas may be hiding out there."

"Ah, the village you seek is our most powerful weapon and defense against invaders and hostiles. Finding it will not be easy on your part, the denizens of the forest are quite particular about who can see their home. I will provide you a map that will show you how to find the village. But be fore warned, you will be tested twice before the village will either accept or reject your presence."

Neji raised an eyebrow at this, "What kind of tests?"

"Tests of your character and intentions, I can not exactly tell you what to expect but be alert. Although you can not see them, Long eyes will be watching your every move."

Sakura remembered that name, "You mean as in the Dragon-Blooded clan?"

The chief looked a bit surprised, "You've heard of them from your country?"

"Not really, the Hokage said that's who we were supposed to find. What do you know about them?"

"Very little, they are a bloodline clan that dates back farther than our records reach. They have an affinity for dragons, some rumor that they ARE dragons that take human form. The clan is very protective of their secrets."

Neji folded his arms, "Basically, a lot of conjecture and rumors but nothing concrete."

"Somewhat, but their reputation is well deserved. Of all the clans in the village, they are the most feared and respected. We'll supply you with a map leading into the forests surrounding the village and some supplies."

Gai stood up, "Well thank you for your help, we greatly appreciate it!"

Gilong entered carrying a big box, "Oh good! You did not leave yet, the lord has a gift he wants you to have in the spirit of good will."

Gai lets loose waterfalls from his eyes as he goes into a dramatic swelling with joy pose, "The kindness of your lord is too great! We thank you from the bottom of our hearts!"

Gilong blinks, a little unsure how to respond. He looks to Neji, "Does he need to lie down? Is he prone to seizures?"

"No, he does this all the time. Thank you anyway, what is it?"

"One of our village's FINEST export goods!"

Neji opened the box and saw a box full of folded shaped cookies, "What are they?"

"Fortune cookies. A whole box for you all."

Lee perked up and reached in grabbing a few, "Wow! Thank you, I was getting hungry."

The mini-Gai clone popped a whole cookie in his mouth, crunching the almond flavored cookie with a smile on his face.But he stopped, a curious, confused expression mared his face as he reached ito his mouth and pulled out a small strip of paper. He looked to Gilong, "I think this one's defective, there's a paper in it."

"That's your fortune, read the slip."

"Oh...Put your faith in in those you treasure, and you will never be lead astray...Hey! That's pretty good!"

Neji furrowed his brow in despair, apparently they found a way to fit mini Gai-isms into food. He had a feeling every cookie in this box contained some corny wisdom or another and Lee would not stop until he had an entire collection.

About two hours later in the bamboo jungle...

"Fortune favors the brave!"

Lee pocketed another strip of paper, then reached back into the box he was carrying. He pulled out another cookie. TenTen and Sakura had grown weary of Lee's newfound obsession about an hour ago. He had done nothing but eat fortune cookies and spouted out Confucian gibberish everytime he finished one. And the box wasn't even half way empty yet! If Lee kept this up, the girls were going to hurt Lee.

"Lee, I swear, if you read one more cookie I'll have to tenketsu your mouth shut."

Or they could go the lazy route and let Neji do it for them. Less mess for them to clean up and it'd be fun to see Neji go ballistic. Sakura's stomach let out a feral growl, one Inner-Sakura would be proud of. She reached absently into the box and grabed a cookie, breaking it in half and removing the strip of paper before eating it.

"Oh! What does yours say Sakura-san?"

Sakura held the piece of paper open and glanced over the writing inside. She froze in mid step, her eyes going wide as she read the strip of paper.

"Sakura?"

"This has to be a joke..."

Gai stepped up behind the pink-haired girl, curious to see what she saw.

"Gai-sensei?"

"It says...Heads up, the first test is coming your way..."

Meanwhile in the Village of Green Knot...

"GAAAAHHH! HELP HELP IT'S GONE BERSERK!"

Echoed over the calm village as Sasuke and Naruto ran for their very lives. One of their daily chores was to help the shepherds with their flocks of woolly monsters called sheep. But unfortunately, one of the large males with VERY VERY big horns decided that Naruto and Sasuke weren't welcome. So the powerful four curled horned beast would chase the two whenever it got the chance. And today was such a chance.

"Sasuke! Stop that monster with your Sharingan!"

"Baka! Sharingans don't work on animals! Shut up and keep running!"

Naruto blinked seeing a familiar green-haired captain watching them as they ran from the sheep, "Hi Maze! Little help?"

Maze gestured for the boys to run towards him. The two ninjas ran right past Maze, the sheep stopping a few yards short of the young captain. The beast lowered it's head, snorting fiercely as it's hoof scraped the ground, preparing to charge. Maze stood his ground, his lionesque eyes locked with the sheep's.

Naruto and Sasuke scrambled over the fence, panting and gasping for air as they watch the older warrior stare down the sheep. Of course Dagger was there, recording their ordeal with her camera, laughing herself sick as she watched. Naruto glared at the speedy blonde, "And why didn't you help us?"

"Think of it as cardiovascular training, you two are too fat anyway!"

"Oi oi! Who are you calling fat?"

"I'm calling you fat, fatty! Want another helping of fat, fatty?"

"Stop calling me fat! I'm just waiting for a growth spurt!"

Of course compared to the stream-lined runners like Dagger and her brother, the ninjas would appear a little on the porky side. When you have the metabolism of a hummingbird on speed, it was hard to find anyone scrawnier than yourself. Sasuke hmphed, turning to watch Maze take on the evil sheep from hell.

With a loud 'baaaaaa', the sheep charged, ready to launch the captain into the lower stratosphere. Before the sheep's head could connect Maze's hands shot out and caught the horns, locking the two in a pushing match. The sheep baaaaa-ed again, shakily taking a hoof step forward, trying to out power Maze. The green-haired captain grunted and took a foot step forward, showing the sheep he wasn't backing down.

Naruto chewed on his nails this was so exciting, here was the guy who slayed a wolf monster engaged in a test of strength with the demonic sheep. (Demonic in HIS opinion)

"Go Maze! You show that sheep whose boss!"

Sasuke watched in silence, Maze's reflexes were enough to make ANY ninja proud. From what he could see of his chakra, he deduced Maze had mastered his own body. He thought about it for a minute, calculating it in his head, Maze would probably be about the same age as...As Itachi. He realized something watching Maze pushed the sheep backwards, it's hooved feet scraping up the ground. It was like watching a foreign version of his brother. His stomach clenched, he was definately going to keep an eye on this captain.

With a loud grunt, Maze used his strength to tear the sheep from the ground, slamming him onto his side by his horns. Maze stood back up as the sheep baaa-ed and shook it's head.

"Knock it off, Waldorf...Torturing the newbies is MY job."

The sheep got to his feet and sauntered off back to the herd. Maze turned, walking back to the fence to the cheers of Naruto.

"Woo hoo! You showed that sheep whose the boss!"

Maze leaped over the fence, landing in a crouching position. Jiraiya walked up to the group, "I see Maze is back from his mission, you two can start your training now."

Maze's sharp eyes turned to Jiraiya...

WHAM

The Ero-Sennin went flying back 30 feet as Maze thrust his open palm into his mid-section. Naruto gaped in awe as he didn't even expect Maze to even attack. And apparently, neither did Jiraiya as he laid there clutching his bruised gut.

"THAT was for glancing down my sister's shirt. You're lucky I didn't decide to use my knife instead of my palm!"

Jiraiya laid silently, for a minute, trying to figure out how Maze knew about that. He was pretty sure Mirru didn't notice and he was pretty sure Dagger didn't see him do it. Unless Sasuke and Naruto told on him. He was going to get those two for this.

"You ever treat my sister like that again and I'll rip your joy department right off, fry it up, and serve it to you for dinner. And I'm just evil enough to do it."

Even that threat was enough to scare Jiraiya back up onto his feet. He nervously rubbed the back of his head, "Sorry Maze, I mean really you should take it as a compliment. Your sister is very pretty and very nice..."

Maze held up a hand, "The subject is officially moot, stay away from her or I'll kill you. Ok, ninja brats we're gonna start our training today. Follow me."

Naruto was positively overjoyed at finally being able to train again. Mirru was nice and her cooking was fantastic, despite the lack of ramen, but she just gave them chores to do. She didn't know how to train fighters, just feed them. Maze lead the two out to an open field. Dagger of course trailed behind, filming all the way.

"And now, begins Blondie and Blackie's training! Let's see how ninjas stand up to those who are trained in the ancient art of combat. Sure ninjas have their nifty lil' tools and their cheap brand of magic with making shadow puppets. But we here have courage and valour as our tools and a die-hard will of tempered steel as our magic!"

Naruto heyed, "Hey! Ninjas are way better than some monster killers!"

"Dagger, shut up with the narration, I need their undivided attention for training."

Sasuke stretched out his back, making a loud crack noise, "Perhaps until he becomes adjusted to our fighting styles we should hold back on using jutsus, Naruto."

"You hold ANYTHING back on me and I'll make you regret it. I'm a captain of a squad, it means I have the skills and experience to lead men into battle."

"Hmph, the dobe isn't fit to lead anyone in a conga line, let alone battle."

Maze glared at the two, "That's ANOTHER thing that's gotta go. If you two waste enough energy at hissing and spitting at each other to defeat an ARMY. Now pay attention, I need to get an idea of what I have to work with. So this is a simple test. Grab my hand."

Naruto blinked, "Huh? That's it? Ha! I'm a billion times faster than Sasuke!"

"So it should be easy then, alright boys. Have at it!"

Naruto and Sasuke instantly vanished from view as they split up and ran, coming for Maze's out stretched hands. Suddenly in a swift motion, Maze grabbed Sasuke and Naruto's arms with his opposing hands, sending the two flying into each other face first. As They crashed to the ground in a heap of pain Maze turned with lowered eyes, "Boys...We got a long LOOOOOOONG way to go..."

To Be Continued...

So Team Gai plus Sakura are about to face the first test of the Hidden Dragon Village and Sasuke and Naruto are finally training with Maze! What is this test? Will Sakura learn the truth? Will Sasuke and Naruto get along enough for Maze to teach them?

Hopefully, there will be answers in the next installment: Test My Best!

And if you enjoy the World Tour, please read Naruto: World Tour Chronicles 1. Please read and review.