Ok, guys, since I'm bored, I'm going to seal the Pain's true identity topic already:
First of all, remember it's just a theory, but a pretty good one and it's up in the air.
Pain is the Sage of the Six Paths. The Founder of all ninjutsu as we know it.
My basis is from the fact that Pain has SIX bodies that corresponds to SIX paths. Coincidence? Maybe. But looking at the fact that they both revolve around the Rin'negan, makes it even likelier.
Another reason why Pain isn't simply: Nagato-
When Jiraiya started fighting Pain, he already guessed it was Nagato. (373, pg 17)
BUT before Jiraiya got stabbed and owned he said, "That must be it! I know your true identity now, Pain!" (381, pg 15) which implies that he got the guess wrong the first time. ==> it's not Nagato.
So if it's not Nagato, who is it? Who else has the Rin'negan that we've already seen in the story?
I'm expecting some of these immediate backlashes:
- If he was, he'd be dead by now.
Well look at Madara. He found a way to survive through all that time, so why can't the Sage?
- It was Nagato who had the Rin'negan.
But why does Jiraiya conclude that it's someone else? If it were Nagato, then at Chapter 381 he'd be saying: "YES! I knew it was you Nagato!" but he doesn't does he?
- Pain is Konan.
No, Aldrich, simply no!!
The reason Kishi kept Pain's identity hidden after Jiraiya figured it out is because it's unexpected. Since Nagato is the obvious answer, it can't be him.
Remember, for now it's just a theory. And be serious, no more joke posts.