"It's been three months since you died. I let the Nine Tails out. He killed Sasori, but Deidara ran away. The Nine Tails and I are friends, now. Nothing much happened for a while - I was just trying to get you back - but apparently there's multiple universes and at least one of them has resurrection. The alternate universe people took out the Akatsuki and then said they'd help me get you back when I approached them about it."

"Wasn't that nice of them." She looks at Hisame. "And what did you have to do with this?"

"I'm an alternate universe version of your world's Uchiha Hisame. I'm friends with my world's Naruto. He did me a favor, so returning it seemed appropriate, even if indirectly so."

"There's also a chance I know a few alternate universe versions of you, though I'm not capable of confirming that myself."

"I... see."

"I can leave you and Naruto to get caught up, if you want, and provide a portal to where we're all staying when you feel like it."

"Let's go with that."

She nods, before leaving them alone.

"So. Three months to bring me back from the dead? I thought we were friends."

"Best friends get proper ressurections, instead of Orochimaru's second rate zombies."

"Hmm. Acceptable."

He laughs. "I was actually pretty close on figuring out Six Paths chakra, but - I didn't want to wait anymore than I had to get you back."

"Impatience is a character flaw, you know."

"I have a lot of rather excellent flaws."

"Yeah."

"So the multiverse people, they just came in and killed Akatsuki, just like that?"

"Yeah. They got local Hisame first, waited a few days, then swept through the Akatsuki like they were nothing."

"Sounds like they'd be good friends to have."

"Still like you better."

Heh.

He laughs. "I'm just - so, so glad to have you back. Also I like Hisame as much as I like any person, but she's kind of an ass... Her alternate selves seemed friendlier at least..."

"I think I might be friendlier than Uchiha Hisame. It's not exactly a high bar to clear."

Snicker.

"I wonder if alternate universe versions of me are friendlier too."

"Probably varies..."

"On the other hand, I doubt your friendliness varies at all."

"I'll have you know I've punched several people recently, including an old lady."