Reason why RS is needed in hermit mode is because its a double edge move. Because if Naruto just keep using RS all the time his hand will cannot heal/draw chakra sever damage of the cellular. But with Sage / Kyuubi Naruto body is now able to heal faster than ever. So I say he trying to continue his training but the picture on the side where it shows black it probably show that it can be a FLASHBACK but the thing you guys think as a smoke it can be a cloud at night. WHY? who knows this is a narutouniverse anything can happen.