Board Thread:Versus Debates/@comment-26005711-20160614093346/@comment-5547501-20160618152208

He is faster, but as you said Naruto 'nearly' got caught off-guard. Naruto also has to dodge or block the attack, which requires more movement than using Shinra Tensei.

Honestly, everything in this fight revolves around that one jutsu. If Nagato didn't have it, then Sasuke would blitz and destroy Nagato instantly, but if he constantly spams it (and by constantly, I mean at least 3 times a second) than it's possible for him to beat Sasuke, who can't get past it.

Really though, I think Nagato can't continuously use the jutsu, there would at least be a one second limit, which would definitely be enough for Sasuke to strike, but since it's not stated it is only an assumption.