Board Thread:Versus Debates/@comment-34277398-20180522180427/@comment-26107879-20180612100122

Nagato can't absorb Ninjutsu without Blocking Technique Absorption Seal. In all instances of this ability being used (This is the technique that allows Preta Path to absorb Ninjutsu, without it, it cannot absorb Ninjutsu) two things are present. 1) The user has a barrier conjured around his entire body. 2) He always has a hand or both raised to some degree. Therefore the time Nagato thinks to use it and activates it, is not instant. So there was no way he could use it against Itachi when he was blinded.