Nagato

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Nagato (长门)
Alias(es)	Pain
Species/Race	Human; descendant of the Uzumaki Clan
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Akatsuki; Amegakure
Occupation/Role	Leader of Akatsuki; self-proclaimed god of Amegakure
Status	Active
First Appearance	Chapter 4

Background / History

Nagato was originally a thin, pale, red-haired member of the early Akatsuki alongside Yahiko and Konan. Though he possessed the Rinnegan, he disliked its destructive power and hoped Yahiko's peaceful approach would mean he no longer needed to use it. 4

Lin Feng, acting as Uchiha Madara, arrived in Amegakure and exploited Nagato's Rinnegan resonance to claim that the eyes had been entrusted to Nagato for safekeeping. He punished Nagato by shaving off his long red hair, then challenged his understanding of both his power and his ideals. 4 5

The supposed Madara repeatedly humiliated and manipulated Nagato, presenting Hanzo's and Danzo's betrayal as proof that peaceful dialogue was powerless. Nagato initially refused to yield when Yahiko's life was threatened, but the experience left him determined to gain the strength needed to protect his companions. 6 7

After Hanzo's downfall, Nagato abandoned his former restraint. He moved to kill Hanzo and later used the Human Path to extract the soul of an Amegakure survivor, marking his first clear steps toward the identity of Pain. 11 13

Nagato accepted the Black Red-Cloud Robe and rejected Yahiko's belief that dialogue could purchase peace. He became Akatsuki's leader under Madara's direction, with the organization tasked to collect the Tailed Beasts. 15

Following a test involving Kakuzu, Nagato protected Yahiko and Konan despite the danger of defying orders. Madara then publicly declared Nagato his “avatar,” strengthening Nagato's authority within Akatsuki. 18

In the power vacuum after Hanzo's death, Nagato seized control of Amegakure. He named himself Pain, declared himself the land's god, and proclaimed that peace would be born through pain. 19

Appearance

Nagato is a thin, pale youth with purple Rinnegan and, originally, long red hair. Madara forcibly cut his hair short during their first encounter. 4 5

• Purple, ripple-patterned Rinnegan.
• Originally possessed distinctive long red hair; later shaved short by Madara. 4
• Wears Akatsuki's Black Red-Cloud Robe after the organization's rebirth. 15
• His later demeanor is described as cold and majestic, resembling a deity. 15

Personality

Before his transformation, Nagato was quiet, hesitant, and uncomfortable with the destructive implications of the Rinnegan. He supported Yahiko and Konan's dream of ending war through understanding. 4 5

Madara's revelations, humiliation, and the betrayal by Hanzo and Danzo hardened him. Nagato came to believe that weakness invites oppression and that only shared pain, enforced through overwhelming power, can establish peace. 11 15

As Pain, he is increasingly calm, detached, and authoritative. He nevertheless retains a powerful attachment to Yahiko and Konan, intervening against Kakuzu to protect them even when doing so risks displeasing Madara. 18 19

Abilities & Skills

Rinnegan

Nagato possesses the Rinnegan, whose powers he initially struggles to control efficiently but gradually employs as the basis of his authority. 5 26

• The Rinnegan resonates painfully when Nagato first sees Madara's eyes. 4
• Grants access to abilities associated with the Six Paths. 5
• Its high-output techniques impose severe chakra and physical strain on Nagato. 26
• Madara repeatedly criticizes Nagato's limited mastery and defensive use of the eyes. 26 28

Shinra Tensei

Nagato creates a repulsive force capable of defending allies and devastating opponents.

• Repelled an explosive ambush to protect Yahiko and Konan. 10
• Destroyed a building while asserting control over Amegakure. 19
• Defeated the Third Mizukage and the Seven Ninja Swordsmen alongside his other Rinnegan techniques. 28
• Was unable to permanently break Sasori's Iron Sand Cage; repeated use rapidly drained his chakra. 26

Bansho Ten'in

Nagato uses an invisible attractive force to pull targets or allies.

• Pulled an Amegakure faction leader from the ground to the top of the Central Tower. 19
• Saved Yahiko and Konan from Kakuzu's attacks by drawing them out of danger. 18

Human Path: Soul Extraction

Nagato can extract a target's soul through the Human Path.

• Instantly killed the winner of Amegakure's survival game by extracting his soul. 13
• Used the technique on an Amegakure faction leader while taking control of the village. 19

Preta Path

Nagato recognizes the Rinnegan's chakra-absorption ability, though Madara demonstrates far greater control over it. 5

• Absorbs ninjutsu and chakra.
• Nagato identifies Madara's absorption of Konan's Paper Shuriken as a Six Paths ability he has explored himself. 5

Relationships

• Yahiko — Closest friend and original partner in Akatsuki. Nagato initially shared Yahiko's ideals, but later rejects his pacifism; he still protects Yahiko from Kakuzu. 4 15 18
• Konan — Close companion and protector. Konan remains by Nagato's side after his transformation and follows his leadership. 4 15 19
• Lin Feng / “Uchiha Madara” — Manipulator and self-styled mentor who claims ownership of Nagato's Rinnegan, drives him toward the identity of Pain, and calls him Akatsuki's leader and his “avatar.” 5 15 18
• Kakuzu — Akatsuki recruit who challenges Nagato's authority. After their battle and Madara's intervention, Kakuzu acknowledges Nagato as leader. 17 18
• Hanzo the Salamander — Former figure of trust whose betrayal becomes central to Nagato's abandonment of peaceful ideals. Nagato approaches him with intent to kill after Hanzo is defeated. 5 11
• Jiraiya — Nagato's former teacher, identified by Jiraiya as one of his Land of Rain disciples and a possible Child of Prophecy. 44

Story Role / Major Arcs

Early Akatsuki and Madara's Arrival

Nagato is introduced as the reluctant Rinnegan wielder of the idealistic early Akatsuki. Madara's arrival exposes the claimed origin of his eyes, destroys his confidence in Hanzo, and pushes him toward pursuing power. 4 7

Fall of Hanzo and Birth of Pain

After witnessing betrayal and brutality, Nagato abandons dialogue as a path to peace. He accepts Akatsuki's new mission, becomes its leader, seizes Amegakure, and declares himself Pain. 11 13 15 19

Recruitment of Kakuzu

Nagato leads Konan and Yahiko to recruit Kakuzu, fights him with the Rinnegan, and ultimately protects his companions during Madara's loyalty test. 16 18

Sasori Conflict

Nagato, Konan, and Yahiko are trapped by Sasori's Iron Sand Cage. Nagato pushes Shinra Tensei beyond his limits, suffers severe backlash, and is rescued by Madara, who reprimands him for his insufficient command of the Rinnegan. 26

Kirigakure Invasion

Madara orders Nagato to defeat the Third Mizukage. Nagato uses Shinra Tensei and the Preta Path to overcome the Mizukage and the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, though Madara again judges his performance harshly. 27 28

Rule of Amegakure

As Pain, Nagato suppresses resistance in Amegakure through fear and force. Reports later identify him as Akatsuki's leader and note that he is directing Amegakure's elite ninja toward economic development. 23 44

Notable Quotes

“Dialogue and understanding cannot buy peace.” 15

“The only thing that can buy peace is the same kind of pain, a pain that makes everyone feel the agony in their own flesh.” 15

“I shall become the god of this land. My name is Pain.” 19

“I bestow upon you pain, so that peace may be born from it.” 19