Shinra Tensei

Shinra Tensei is the ability to manipulate gravity at the users will to repulse matter away. Depending on the amount of force Nagato puts in this Jutsu, it can easily shatter wood, bones or stone. By using this technique as a defensive measure, all attacks directed to the user will be deflected, no matter the size or mass. The only downside to this technique is that there is a short period when it is unusable after being used, though only for roughly five seconds.



Shinra Tensei can also be used on a larger scale for massive destruction. Before it can be used however, Nagato must break his connection with all but the Deva Path (presumably to channel all available chakra through it). A massive gravity well is created above the target, crushing everything beneath in a titanic explosion. Using Shinra Tensei on this scale shortens Nagato's lifespan and leaves him unable to use it for several minutes.

Nagato has used this technique by himself at least once, deflecting the kunai thrown by Hanzō's men, when Yahiko died.

Influence
The names of Shinra Tensei and its companion ability, Banshō Ten'in, are derived from Shinra Banshō (神羅万象, lit. "Everything Covered by God"), a Japanese four-character idiom and homophone variant of Shinra Banshō (森羅万象, lit. "All-Covering Forests and Ten Thousand Things"), a Buddhist idiom which has come to mean "All of Nature" or "All of Creation".