The Rinnegan, the most exalted of the Three Great Dojutsu, is an eye of immense power. Its wielder is destined to bring either creation or destruction to the world. In the Naruto universe, one figure stands out as synonymous with this legendary eye: Pain. But how did Nagato, the true Pain, acquire the Rinnegan in the first place? The answer lies in a complex tale of lineage, ambition, and the manipulative hand of Madara Uchiha.
The Lineage of the Rinnegan: A Senju and Uchiha Connection
The Rinnegan isn’t just any eye; it’s a manifestation of the Sage of Six Paths’ power. To awaken it, one needs the chakra of both his sons: Indra (who inherited the Sharingan lineage, leading to the Uchiha clan) and Asura (who inherited the body and spiritual energy, leading to the Senju clan). Combining these two bloodlines is the only known natural way to awaken the Rinnegan.
Madara Uchiha achieved this feat near the end of his life. After acquiring Hashirama Senju’s cells during their final battle at the Valley of the End, he integrated them into his body. This union of Indra and Asura’s chakra eventually led to the awakening of the Rinnegan in his eyes, though it took several decades.
Nagato’s Unexpected Inheritance: Madara’s Machinations
Nagato, an orphan from Amegakure, the Hidden Rain Village, didn’t belong to either the Uchiha or the Senju clan. So, how did he possess the Rinnegan? The answer is tragically simple: Madara Uchiha implanted them into him as a child.
During the Second Shinobi World War, Madara, already nearing the end of his natural lifespan, was searching for a suitable vessel to carry out his plans. He recognized Nagato’s immense potential. Nagato was a descendant of the Uzumaki clan, distant relatives of the Senju, and possessed a powerful life force and considerable chakra reserves. This made him an ideal candidate to wield the Rinnegan’s power without immediately succumbing to its strain.
Madara, using his remaining strength, transplanted his own Rinnegan into Nagato while the boy was still very young. This was done in secret, without Nagato or anyone else being aware of Madara’s involvement. The Rinnegan remained dormant until a traumatic event triggered their awakening.
The Awakening: A Tragedy Unfolds
The catalyst for the Rinnegan’s awakening in Nagato was the death of his parents. They were mistakenly killed by Konoha ninja who were caught in the crossfire of the war. Consumed by grief and rage, Nagato unleashed a massive burst of power. This event marked the first manifestation of the Rinnegan’s abilities. He instinctively used the Outer Path technique to defend himself, killing the ninja responsible for his parents’ death.
From that moment on, Nagato was burdened with the responsibility of wielding the Rinnegan, unaware of its true origins or the sinister purpose behind its implantation. He believed it was a divine gift, a power meant to bring about peace.
Pain: A Symbol of Suffering and Control
After meeting Konan and Yahiko, Nagato began his journey toward peace. The trio formed the Akatsuki, initially a force dedicated to ending war through peaceful means. However, the machinations of Danzo Shimura and Hanzō of the Rain forced Yahiko to sacrifice himself for Nagato and Konan.
This event shattered Nagato, pushing him further down a path of darkness. He, driven by despair and manipulated by Obito Uchiha (who was acting on Madara’s behalf), adopted the moniker of “Pain.” He now believed that true peace could only be achieved through suffering and control.
Nagato created the Six Paths of Pain, using six corpses imbued with his chakra and each possessing one of the Rinnegan’s unique abilities. He controlled these bodies remotely, projecting his consciousness into them. The Deva Path, the central figure of Pain, was Yahiko’s body, a constant reminder of his lost friend and the pain that fueled his mission.
The Rinnegan’s Power in Pain’s Hands
Pain wielded the Rinnegan’s power with devastating effectiveness. He mastered the Six Paths Techniques, granting each of the six bodies a unique set of abilities. These included the ability to absorb chakra, summon powerful creatures, manipulate souls, control gravity, and revive the dead.
The Deva Path, in particular, possessed the Shinra Tensei (Almighty Push) and Bansho Ten’in (Universal Pull), techniques that allowed him to repel or attract objects with immense force. His most destructive ability was the Chibaku Tensei (Planetary Devastation), which allowed him to create a massive, artificial satellite.
Pain’s reign of terror culminated in his attack on Konoha. He single-handedly destroyed the village with his Shinra Tensei and nearly defeated Naruto Uzumaki, the Nine-Tailed Fox Jinchuriki.
The Redemption of Nagato
After a fierce battle with Naruto, Nagato was moved by Naruto’s unwavering belief in peace and his commitment to breaking the cycle of hatred. He realized the error of his ways and the futility of his methods.
In a final act of redemption, Nagato used the Outer Path – Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique to revive everyone he had killed during his attack on Konoha. This act of self-sacrifice exhausted his remaining chakra and ended his life.
The Legacy of the Rinnegan: A Tale of Inheritance and Manipulation
Nagato’s story is a tragic one. He was a victim of circumstance, manipulated by forces beyond his control. He was chosen not for his own sake, but to serve the purposes of Madara Uchiha. The Rinnegan, a symbol of immense power, became a source of immense suffering for him.
The Rinnegan’s journey from Madara to Nagato to Obito and eventually back to Sasuke Uchiha highlights the complex web of relationships and ambitions that define the Naruto universe. It’s a tale of inheritance, manipulation, and the enduring struggle between hope and despair. The question of how Pain possessed the Rinnegan is a reminder that even the greatest power can be used for both creation and destruction, depending on the hands that wield it. Nagato’s story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked power and the importance of choosing the path of peace, even in the face of immense suffering.
How did Nagato acquire the Rinnegan?
Nagato didn’t inherently possess the Rinnegan. Madara Uchiha transplanted his own Rinnegan into Nagato as a child, without Nagato’s knowledge or consent. Madara did this to ensure the Rinnegan’s power would be available for his future plans, specifically to revive himself using the Outer Path of the Rinnegan and its ability to control the Gedo Statue.
This transplantation was facilitated by Madara’s manipulation of events during the Second Shinobi World War. He strategically placed Nagato in a situation where he would be forced to use the Rinnegan’s power to protect himself and his friends. This also allowed Madara to observe Nagato’s potential as a vessel for his ultimate plan, as well as ensure the Rinnegan remained hidden and available when needed.
Why did Madara choose Nagato as the Rinnegan’s vessel?
Madara selected Nagato because of his Uzumaki clan lineage. The Uzumaki clan was known for their exceptionally strong life force and chakra reserves, which were crucial for wielding the Rinnegan without being immediately overwhelmed. Madara knew that a regular shinobi would likely be unable to handle the immense power of the Rinnegan.
Furthermore, Nagato’s descent from both the Senju and Uzumaki clans hinted at a potential connection to the Sage of Six Paths, further solidifying Madara’s decision. This connection implied a higher compatibility with the Rinnegan and increased the likelihood of Nagato being able to master its abilities and ultimately serve as a suitable vessel for Madara’s resurrection plan.
How did the Rinnegan influence Pain’s abilities and fighting style?
The Rinnegan granted Pain a vast array of extraordinary abilities, fundamentally shaping his fighting style. He possessed the Six Paths Techniques, allowing him to control six different bodies, each equipped with a unique power derived from the Rinnegan, such as absorbing chakra, summoning creatures, or manipulating souls. This made him an incredibly versatile and formidable opponent.
Beyond the Six Paths Techniques, the Rinnegan also granted Pain a complete mastery over all five basic nature transformations, and the ability to use the Outer Path Techniques, which included the power to revive the dead (albeit at the cost of his own life force) and control the Gedo Statue. These abilities made him a near-unstoppable force, capable of single-handedly destroying Konoha.
What role did the Six Paths of Pain play in Nagato’s control over the Rinnegan?
The Six Paths of Pain were not merely puppets; they were extensions of Nagato’s will and Rinnegan powers. Each Path embodied a specific Rinnegan ability, allowing Nagato to distribute the immense power of the Rinnegan across multiple bodies, making it manageable and strategically effective. This distribution also allowed him to perceive the battlefield from multiple perspectives simultaneously.
Furthermore, the Six Paths served as a crucial component in Nagato’s isolation and control. By distancing himself from the battlefield and channeling his power through these separate entities, Nagato could minimize his own physical vulnerability and maintain a detached, god-like persona, reflecting his vision of achieving peace through overwhelming power.
Did Nagato ever fully master the Rinnegan’s power?
While Nagato demonstrated incredible proficiency in using the Rinnegan, including the Six Paths Techniques and the Outer Path abilities, it’s debatable whether he truly “mastered” its full potential. He was limited by his weakened physical state due to the strain of channeling the Rinnegan’s power and the Gedo Statue for extended periods.
Compared to Madara Uchiha, who awakened the Rinnegan naturally and had a greater understanding of its origin and purpose, Nagato primarily utilized its combative applications. He lacked the intimate knowledge and experience to unlock all of its hidden capabilities, suggesting that his mastery was limited by his circumstances and the transplanted nature of the eyes.
How did Obito Uchiha use the Rinnegan after Nagato’s death?
After Nagato’s death, Obito Uchiha retrieved the Rinnegan and implanted it into his left eye socket, while retaining his Sharingan in his right eye. This allowed him to gain access to the Rinnegan’s abilities, including the Six Paths Techniques, and use them in conjunction with his space-time ninjutsu (Kamui) to enhance his combat effectiveness.
However, because he was not a direct descendant of the Sage of Six Paths or an Uzumaki clan member, Obito struggled to fully control the Rinnegan’s immense power. He was only able to use one Rinnegan at a time effectively and couldn’t fully utilize all the Paths simultaneously like Nagato did. He ultimately passed the Rinnegan to Madara during Madara’s resurrection.
What ultimately happened to the Rinnegan after the Fourth Shinobi World War?
During the Fourth Shinobi World War, Madara Uchiha reclaimed both of his Rinnegan eyes. After Madara was defeated and Kaguya Otsutsuki was sealed away, the Rinnegan’s fate was tied to Sasuke Uchiha. Sasuke awakened the Rinnegan in his left eye, gifted to him by the Sage of Six Paths’ spirit, Hagoromo Otsutsuki.
Sasuke retained his Rinnegan after the war and used its space-time ninjutsu abilities, particularly Amenotejikara, for strategic transportation and combat purposes. His Rinnegan possessed six tomoe, indicating a heightened level of power. He continued to wield it as a crucial component of his strength and as a protector of the shinobi world, until it was destroyed by Momoshiki Otsutsuki.