The
Rinnegan ( Literally meaning "
Samsara Eye") is the most revered and, according to
Fukasaku, and
Jiraiya the most powerful of all the three great
dōjutsu. The Rinnegan's occurrence is so rare that Jiraiya once believed its existence was only a legend. There have been only two known Rinnegan users: the
Sage of the Six Paths and
Nagato. With the Sage presumably long deceased and with Nagato dead, there are currently no confirmed Rinnegan users alive at this point.
The Rinnegan is characterized by a ripple-like pattern around the pupil, with a grayish-purple iris and sclera. In addition to enabling the user to quickly master various jutsu, the user may also use all forms of chakra nature manipulation. It also allows the user to use all of the
six paths techniques.
[1] Like the
Sharingan and the
Byakugan, the Rinnegan also allows the user to see
chakra, including otherwise hidden barriers. According to Nagato's partner
Konan, the possessor of the Rinnegan is the seventh path of Pain, who is "beyond life and death", and can use the
Outer Path: Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique, which allows the Rinnegan user to revive all people who have died recently.
Because Nagato's
Six Paths of Pain were all reanimated corpses, their Rinnegan was added to their bodies by Nagato through some unknown means. By doing so, Nagato could see each individual body's field of vision, coordinating the bodies with extremely precise planning, even during battles. Due to this effect, unlike the Byakugan, the Rinnegan does not have a blind spot, as long as the bodies are looking in every direction or at least one body is looking at the desired target. Because of this advantage, an opponent must blind one body, or distract all others in order for a blind spot to be opened. The animals
summoned by the
Animal path also had Rinnegan eyes, suggesting that Nagato controlled them as well.