The sage is one of those character at first I peg as a light of freedom member as he uses shadow magic, kept his face covered and was the reason Raito was force to leave him behind but over the course of the volume i warmed to him he seem to be one leader in the province that is not a light of freedom member or a self-centered glory hound beside the pontiff.
His interactions with Tama and Pochi especially encourage Tama ninjutsu even allowing her yo use his shadow stone to practice.
I hoping that he doesn't turn out to be an ally of the green demon or lose his life as he a great character