"Hey, Sage of Six Paths Grandpa, why did you make us leave first?!"
"I still haven't managed to stop Uncle!?"
In the dense forests of the Land of Sound, Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha darted swiftly through the treetops. Naruto's face was full of confusion and frustration as he asked in a low voice. Sasuke Uchiha, not far from Naruto, kept his eyes ahead, seemingly waiting for the Sage of Six Paths' reply as well.
Earlier, while Sasuke Uchiha and Naruto Uzumaki had been locked in a fierce battle with Uzumaki Kuming, the Sage of Six Paths' voice had suddenly risen within their minds, telling them both to withdraw for the time being. Though neither Naruto nor Sasuke understood why, the two of them had clearly been at a disadvantage in the battle and could only reluctantly accept the Sage of Six Paths' suggestion, finding a way to leave.
Only after they had put a considerable distance between themselves did Naruto have the chance to ask the Sage of Six Paths for the reason.
"Ah..."
Within Naruto's sea of consciousness, which had originally been the place where the Seven-Tails was sealed, there was now another phantom besides the Seven-Tails. The phantom was an old man dressed in a white cloak, with a string of Tomoe beads around his neck. His long beard hung to his chest, and a wide-open Rinnegan sat in the center of his brow. Those Rinnegan were filled with helplessness.
"You little brat, after fighting that man for so long, have you still not realized the gap between you?"
"This gap is not merely one of strength. It is a gap in combat experience, and a gap in your hearts."
When the Sage of Six Paths spoke of Uzumaki Kuming, deep emotion involuntarily appeared on his face.