Nagato

Biodata

Power Progression

Background and History

As a child, Nagato and his parents were rescued by Uchiha Shin'yu from the war in Rain Country and brought to the Land of Whirlpools. Nagato resolves to become strong enough to protect his family and prevent others from suffering through war 305. He studies Uzumaki sealing arts for years, eventually using the Four Symbols Seal and Adamantine Sealing Chains to restrain the Nine-Tails within himself 377.

After Nagato accepts the Nine-Tails’ power, Shin'yu arranges a Rinnegan transplant for him in the Land of Iron. Shin'yu warns that the eyes are difficult to control and that he intends to take them back one day; Nagato accepts despite the danger 308 377 378. The transplant succeeds, but the Rinnegan initially produces destructive impulses that Nagato must learn to resist 378 379.

Shin'yu trains him through demanding sparring matches and later sends him on independent missions 402 403 420. During the conflict in Rōran, Nagato pushes beyond his controlled Tailed Beast Cloak and gains Nine-Tails Chakra Mode while trying to retrieve Shin'yu’s sword from a Sage Art barrier 457.

Appearance

Nagato is a red-haired youth. After the transplant, his Rinnegan have pale-purple pupils that are sometimes partly hidden by his bangs 378 417.

• Wears red clan clothing when Jiraiya encounters him 417.
• Develops a dark-red, tailed chakra cloak when drawing heavily on the Nine-Tails 402 457.
• Takes on a brilliant golden appearance in Nine-Tails Chakra Mode 457.

Personality

Nagato is deeply grateful to Shin'yu for saving his family and clan. He treats his elders respectfully and is reluctant to leave Shin'yu’s side, even when assigned missions meant to test his independence 305 377 420. He persists through repeated defeats in training, but Nine-Tails chakra initially magnifies his anger; after killing the Cloud ninja who pursued Kushina, he expresses guilt over losing control 376 403.

He is protective of those close to him and determined not to disappoint his mentor. Toward outsiders, he can be guarded or aloof: he questions Jiraiya’s interest in his clan and declines his appeal to intervene in a wider conflict 418 450.

Abilities and Skills

Uzumaki sealing arts

• Sets and adjusts his own Four Symbols Seal, reinforced with Adamantine Sealing Chains, to restrain the Nine-Tails and regulate how much chakra escapes 377.
• Uses the chains to bind opponents and suppress chakra-based movement 376 441 444.

Nine-Tails chakra

• Amplifies his physical strength and Wind Release; a Nine-Tails-empowered Super Gale Palm overwhelms four Cloud jonin 376.
• Uses partial Tailed Beast Transformation, a multi-tailed cloak and Tailed Beast attacks during sparring 402 403.
• Initially struggles with the chakra’s rage. After defeating the Nine-Tails within his mindscape, he gains Nine-Tails Chakra Mode 376 457.

Rinnegan and the Six Paths

• Deva Path: Uses Shinra Tensei to repel attacks, Almighty Attraction to pull targets, and Planetary Devastation to form a massive stone sphere 384 403 441 445.
• Preta Path: Absorbs chakra-based attacks; Wood Release is especially troublesome because it is not purely energy and can itself absorb chakra 385 449.
• Asura Path: Produces mechanical weapons, including missiles and a transformed arm 385 445.
• Human and Hell Paths: Extracts souls and uses the King of Hell; together, these powers help him subdue prospective summons 411 415.
• Animal Path: Forms contracts with giant beasts, including Hellhounds, a rhinoceros and pandas 411 412 415 418.
• Projecting Technique: Relays chakra-based communications and manifests a distant participant’s phantom 384.
• The eyes greatly improve his visual perception, but their power initially threatens to override his self-control 378 379 385.

Equipment and Items

• Guardian God Sword / Frost Descent One Heart — A sword entrusted to him by Shin'yu. Its hilt bears a Flying Thunder God mark that Nagato can charge with chakra to call Shin'yu for help 420 450.
• Summoning contracts — Contracts with Hellhounds and other giant shinobi beasts subdued during his training and travels 411 412 415.

Relationships

• Uchiha Shin'yu — Rescuer, benefactor and grand master; gives Nagato the Nine-Tails and Rinnegan, then trains him while openly stating that the eyes will eventually be reclaimed 305 308 378 414.
• Orochimaru — Nagato’s master, who reprimands him for losing control of the Nine-Tails 376 387.
• Uzumaki Kushina — His nominal sister within the Uzumaki Clan; Nagato intervenes when Cloud ninja pursue her 375 443.
• Hiruko — Martial uncle and frequent mission partner; serves as chief surgeon for Nagato’s eye transplant and fights alongside him in Rōran 377 378 440.
• Minato Namikaze — Kushina’s acquaintance, whom Nagato calls “Brother Minato”; they cooperate against White Mask but disagree over calling for reinforcements 443 449 450.
• Yahiko and Konan — Witness Nagato subdue giant pandas in Rain Country and bring him to Jiraiya as reinforcements 415 417.