

The Six Paths of Pain were each named after the ability Nagato channelled through them, while Nagato himself was regarded as the seventh Pain, the Outer Path. These bodies each possessed copies of the Rinnegan and the ability to use one aspect of the Six Paths Technique, thus compensating for Nagato's physical limitations. Nagato, who was crippled early in his lifetime, utilised the Outer Path to create the Six Paths of Pain: six reanimated corpses that he controlled as additional bodies through the use of black receivers.

The Preta Path ( 餓鬼道, Gakidō), which is capable of absorbing all forms of chakra, including most ninjutsu.The Animal Path ( 畜生道, Chikushōdō), which allows the user to summon a wide variety of creatures.The Human Path ( 人間道, Ningendō), which affords the ability to read a person's mind while also removing their soul.The Asura Path ( 修羅道, Shuradō), which allows the user to augment their body with mechanised limbs, weaponry and armour.The Deva Path ( 天道, Tendō), which is able to manipulate attractive and repulsive forces.

Despite its name, there are actually seven of these techniques that grant the user powerful and near god-like abilities: Those who wield the Rinnegan have access to each of these techniques. The Six Paths Technique ( 六道の術, Rikudō no Jutsu) is the origin of the unique techniques bestowed by the Rinnegan.
