Six Paths of Pain


 * Name:
 * Type: Kekkei Genkai
 * User: Nagato
 * Debut (Anime): Shippuden Episode 114
 * Debut (Manga): Chapter 363

The Six Paths of Pain was a jutsu used by Nagato, and served as his representation in Akatsuki. It allowed Nagato to control six separate bodies as though they were his own. Each of these bodies were reanimated corpses which were both kept mobile by, and made use of, Nagato's chakra. While controlling them, Nagato used the alias "Pain", yet still regarded them as separate from himself. All the Six Paths were eventually destroyed by Naruto Uzumaki during the invasion of Pain.

Use
The jutsu was comprised of six deceased bodies of shinobi, each somehow preserved from decay, and pierced with chakra receivers at key bodily points. Nagato found a way to give the paths his own Rinnegan eyes to see through, and imbue them with one of his abilities each. It is unknown why Nagato even chose to operate via Six Paths in the first place, but it can be presumed it was due to his wounds sustained in the battle with Danzo and Hanzo's forces, which likely severely impaired his combat ability. The effects of utilizing this jutsu were very impressive, though: Any path lost in battle could be reintroduced using another corpse (as shown with the prompt replacement of the Animal path), therefore enabling Nagato to push his Paths into life-threatening situations not having to worry about his own life nor the future integrity of the Six Paths of Pain. In other words, he was able to deliver very significant damage to his enemies at any time, risking virtually nothing. The splitting of his numerous abilities amongst the paths also made it possible to utilize more than one skill at the same time, where a single shinobi obviously wouldn't be able to do so. Furthermore, upon the loss of a single Path only a single ability was lost (at best temporarily), whereas all of them would be lost along with his life, in case Nagato was participating in a battle in person.

In order to use the technique, Nagato remained in a large, chair-like machine that moved with six spider-like mechanical legs, and used several large chakra rods protruding from his back to transmit chakra, which was then picked up by the numerous chakra receiving body piercings that each body possessed, allowing Nagato to perfectly control all of their movements. However, to do so, Nagato had to be close by, and ideally at the highest point possible so that he could have the best range possible. Nagato's machine could also shoot chakra rods from a hole in front of it for controlling enemies.

Paths
As the name suggested, there were six bodies, or "paths", which comprised the jutsu. The only common feature shared by these bodies was their bright orange hair and Rinnegan eyes. Each path had a number of body and facial piercings of various shapes, sizes, and patterns. Also, each body seemed to serve a specific purpose in battle, such as summoning, repair, and defense, rendering them open in other areas. This did not hold true for the Deva Path, however, which was imbued with several capabilities. Each path, with the possible exception of the second Animal path, was in some way affiliated with Jiraiya when they were alive.

When the paths were active together in battle, their Rinnegan eyes served as as extension of Nagato's own sight, effectively allowing him to see six separate fields of vision. This allowed Nagato to coordinate their attacks and to provide defense for them without a blind spot. All of the paths demonstrated incredible speed and strength and carried Chakra Disruption Blades concealed in their Akatsuki cloaks which were be used to incapacitate opponents. The paths were strongest when together, using combinations and the element of surprise to defeat their enemies; both Jiraiya and Kakashi fell victim to this technique. However, the technique, although powerful, had a flaw: each of the paths had a primary function or ability it excelled in, being relatively incapable in other fields. With prior knowledge about the technique and each paths' abilities, one stood a better chance of defeating them, as witnessed in Pain's battle against Naruto.

Just before Nagato used the Outer Path: Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique, Konan explained the technique to Naruto Uzumaki, mentioning a seventh Pain. Referring to it as the, it is not entirely clear whether she meant Nagato or the King of Hell used in the technique.

Influences
Based upon the six Buddhist paths of Reincarnation, each body was named after one of the different "paths": Deva, Asura, Human, Animal, Preta, and Naraka. Each of these paths, or "plains", represent one of the realms a being is reborn into after death, determined by the accumulated karma of their past lives. While the two lower paths, Preta and Naraka, are hellish, and the two higher paths, Deva and Asura, are heavenly, all six are considered to be paths of suffering because they perpetuate the cycle of Reincarnation; the only way to break it and ascend to a higher state of existence is to attain enlightenment.