Six Paths of Pain


 * Name:
 * Users: Nagato
 * Type: Kekkei Genkai
 * Hand Seals: None
 * Debut (Anime): Naruto Episode 81
 * Debut (Manga): Chapter 363

The Six Paths of Pain is a jutsu used by Nagato, and serves as his representation in his group, Akatsuki.

This jutsu is, by far, Nagato's most powerful and most-used technique. It allows Nagato to control six separate bodies as though they were his own. Each of these bodies are reanimated corpses that are both kept mobile by, and make use of Nagato's chakra. While controlling them, Nagato uses the alias "Pain", yet still regards them as separate from himself.

Use
In order to use the technique, Nagato remains in a machine that moves with six relatively small mechanical legs, and uses several large chakra rods in his back to transmit chakra. From there, the chakra is picked up by the numerous receivers on each body. To control them, Nagato has to be close by, and ideally at the highest point possible so he can have the best range possible.

Although each of Pains bodies are actually corpses, while under the influence of this technique they are essentially alive, their vital signs return and they are able to be killed just as a normal living person would be killed. Once "killed" they can no longer be controlled by Nagato until they are revived. The only known way of reviving a path is with the Naraka paths King of Hell technique, although since the bodies were dead originally it stands to reason that the King of Hell is not the only means of reviving a path.

Paths
As the name suggests, there are six bodies, or "paths" which comprise the jutsu. The only common feature shared by these bodies is their bright orange hair and Rinnegan eyes. Each also has a vast number of body and facial piercings of various shapes, sizes, and patterns. Each body seems to serve a specific purpose in battle, such as summoning, repair, and defense. When the paths are battling together they can the same thing the others are seeing through the rinnegan eyes. This allows Nagato to coordinate their attacks with incredible speed and provides a defense without a blindspot. All of the paths have demonstrated incredible speed and strength and carry chakra rods that can disrupt an opponets chakra.

Each body, with the exception of the second Animal path, was in some way affiliated with Jiraiya when they were alive.

Influences
Based after the six Buddhist paths of Reincarnation, each body is named after the one of the different "paths": Deva, Preta, Animal, Human, Naraka, and Asura. Each of these paths or "plains" represent one of the realms one is reborn into after death.