Board Thread:Naruto Discussions/@comment-34700383-20180829185752/@comment-34194151-20180916104957

@LegionZero thanks for the link. So it seems that madara didn't actually say sage mode. But, i read through that link and Seleentau also supported the notion that sage transformation is another way of achieving sage mode. So, really what is the difference exactly? If, I drive a car to work but you took the bus, and we got to the same end goal, then we got to the same place. Sage transformation allows one to gain sage mode. So madara and obito gained ridoku sage mode through sage transformation by absorbing the juubi. Naruto got it through Hagormomo, but nothing has proven that the ten tailed beasts weren't involved. Once naruto tapped into his bijuu chakra and completed the mode, his KCM cloak resembled that of the TTJ. he also suddenly got truth seeking orbs.

I agree with you that the form is different, but we don't know how passive ridoku senjutsu leakage affects him. The change in eye pigment and the lack of pigmentation could just be early signs of him gathering ridoku senjutsu, like him being in KN0. Then when he finally did the full transformation occurred. I'm not saying that your theory is wrong, but I don't see why this alternative theory doesn't hold up. the naruto that rescued guy lacked TSOs. once he manifested the chakra cloak he suddenly got them, implying he finally completed the same transition to RSM that madara and obito did.