Board Thread:Naruto Discussions/@comment-34938099-20180807075632/@comment-34812407-20180809023738

Nagato had access to ninjutsu, just simply didn't find the need to use it, we see Nagato use the Wind Release: Gale Palm technique that Boruto uses during his fight with Hanzo, I'd say he more or less was proficient in Wind Release before mastering the Rinnegan... Once he could use the rinnegan there was no need for Wind Release. Almost like how we never see Sasuke use the lions barrage, he simply doesn't need to, a Susanoo Fist gets the point across :D