In the Naruto manga, the Akatsuki was the criminal organization that gathered the most dangerous ninjas from the clans of Konoha. Created by Obito Uchiha under the guise of Tobi, it included iconic characters such as Itachi, Zetsu, Pain, and Konan. Its goals evolved from seeking peace to world domination during the Great Shinobi War.
Manipulated by Obito, the Akatsuki members embarked on a destructive quest to capture the nine bijū. Discover who was behind this organization, their powers, and their roles in the ninja world!
The History of Akatsuki
At first, the Akatsuki was merely a group of young ninjas striving to bring peace to their war-ravaged village. Unfortunately, their noble mission turned into a nightmare after the death of Yahiko. Manipulated by Obito Uchiha, Nagato transformed the Akatsuki into a criminal organization aiming to dominate the world.
But how did their ideals shift so drastically toward violence? Let’s explore the origins and mysteries of the Akatsuki.
The Founders: Yahiko, Konan, and Nagato
Yahiko, Konan, and Nagato were three orphans from the Hidden Rain Village, deeply scarred by the horrors of the Second Great Shinobi War. They were taken in by Jiraiya, one of the legendary Sannin of Konoha, who taught them ninjutsu techniques and the values of courage and friendship.
Yahiko, the most charismatic of the trio, dreamed of leading his village toward peace. Konan, the only female member, stood out with her kunoichi skills and mastery of paper techniques. Nagato, the wielder of the powerful Rinnegan, possessed immense strength but remained a reserved individual.
Together, these three childhood friends founded the Akatsuki, an organization that initially promoted a pacifist ideal. Their strong bond and desire to rebuild a better world left a significant mark on ninja history.
A Deep Desire for Peace
Inspired by Jiraiya’s teachings and the story of the legendary Sage of the Six Paths, the first Rinnegan user, Yahiko, Konan, and Nagato founded the Akatsuki. Their primary mission? To create a world without war where all ninjas could live in harmony. They aimed to achieve this goal through diplomacy and negotiation.
At first, a group of about twenty ninjas sharing this vision joined them. The Akatsuki was seen as a beacon of hope by the citizens of Ame, earning their respect and admiration. But things did not go as planned...
The Descent into Darkness
Despite their initial dreams, a tragic turning point altered the fate of the Akatsuki. After Yahiko’s assassination by Hanzō, Nagato, overwhelmed by grief and a thirst for revenge, fell under the insidious influence of Obito Uchiha, who masqueraded as Madara.
A cunning manipulator, Obito gradually led Nagato away from the path of peace, exploiting his sorrow to lure him into a destructive quest for power.
Under the name Pain, Nagato transformed the Akatsuki into a formidable criminal organization. Their goal was no longer peace but the collection of the nine bijū to fulfill Obito’s dark plan: the Infinite Tsukuyomi, an illusion designed to enslave humanity!
Thus, the founders’ dreams of harmony were replaced by an unquenchable thirst for domination, plunging the ninja world into chaos.
Legendary Members of Akatsuki
To execute their sinister plans, Nagato and Obito recruited some of the world’s most powerful and dangerous ninjas. Let’s take a closer look at the Akatsuki members who struck fear across the Shinobi Lands with their incredible feats.
Konan and Nagato (Pain): The Last Founders
Konan and Nagato were the two last survivors of the Akatsuki’s original trio. After the tragic death of their friend Yahiko, they transformed their immense grief into a new, destructive mission.
Now rulers of the Hidden Rain Village, they embraced a radical philosophy: only those who have experienced true pain can truly appreciate peace. Convinced by Obito, who posed as Madara, they blindly supported his “Moon Eye” plan.
Konan, the only female member of the organization, was fiercely loyal to Nagato. Nicknamed the “Angel of God,” she mastered a unique ninjutsu: paper manipulation. Her origami-based offensive and defensive techniques made her almost untouchable.
Nagato, the leader of the Akatsuki under the identity of Pain, wielded extraordinary power thanks to his Rinnegan. He controlled six different bodies simultaneously, vastly amplifying his combat abilities. Though he preached peace, he did not hesitate to sacrifice innocent lives... A truly complex character!
Itachi Uchiha: The Genius
Itachi was a prodigy of Konoha’s famed Uchiha clan. From a young age, he had already mastered the powerful hereditary dojutsu, the Sharingan. His exceptional talents earned him a place in the Anbu, Konoha’s elite special forces, at an early age.
But at just 13 years old, Itachi committed the unthinkable—slaughtering his entire clan... except for his younger brother, Sasuke. A merciless act that left a lasting impression on the village.
His allegiance to the Akatsuki was actually a cover for a secret mission: to protect Sasuke while monitoring the organization from within. Behind his calm and cold demeanor, Itachi harbored deep fraternal love.
As a master of genjutsu, his devastating illusions like Tsukuyomi plunged his victims into unbearable nightmares. Thanks to the Mangekyō Sharingan, he also wielded formidable offensive abilities, including the infamous Susanoo. Though perceived as a heartless traitor, Itachi ultimately sacrificed everything to safeguard Sasuke and Konoha.
Tobi (Obito Uchiha): The Man Behind the Mask
Behind Madara Uchiha’s mask actually hides Obito Uchiha, the true brain of the Akatsuki. Once a teammate of Kakashi, everyone believed him dead during the Third Great Ninja War. But having been saved by Madara himself, Obito continues his plan to create a perfect illusion to control the world.
Obito is a master of disguise and manipulation. Initially introduced as the clumsy Tobi, he gradually reveals his many facets: a strategist, a cunning manipulator, but also a desperate man haunted by the memory of Rin Nohara.
Holder of both the Sharingan and the Rinnegan, his powers are exceptional. Kamui allows him to teleport or become untouchable. He can also control the bijû thanks to Gedô Mazô. An adversary one must beware of!
Kisame Hoshigaki: The Tailless Bijû
Originally from Kirigakure, Kisame possesses raw power worthy of a legendary creature. After assassinating the Fourth Mizukage, this man with a brutal and sadistic nature joined the Akatsuki in search of meaning in his life.
Kisame is an undisputed master of aquatic ninjutsu, capable of manipulating water to create devastating techniques. But his greatest asset is undoubtedly his Samehada, a living, intelligent sword. This unique weapon can absorb the chakra of its foes, gradually weakening them in battle. Kisame never parts with it!
Alongside Itachi Uchiha, they form a duo that sows terror in their wake. Despite his brutality, Kisame is fiercely loyal to his partner and to the criminal organization. An adversary even the bravest ninjas dread facing.
Deidara: The Explosive Artist
Originally from Iwa, Deidara was once a dangerous terrorist. But it is his explosive art that caught the Akatsuki’s attention. Subjugated by Itachi, he joined the organization in order to prove the superiority of his unique combat style.
Thanks to the mouths implanted in his hands, Deidara molds clay into truly explosive sculptures. For this passionate artist, every explosion is an ephemeral yet magnificent work of art. A visual and auditory spectacle of unparalleled power that makes Deidara as creative as he is lethal.
Sasori: The Puppet Master
Originally from Sunagakure, Sasori turned to the art of puppetry after losing his parents in the First Great Ninja War. Severing his ties with his hometown after turning the Third Kazekage into a puppet, he joined the Akatsuki, aspiring to push the limits of his art.
Cold and distant, Sasori rejects human emotions in favor of his precious puppets. His collection counts over a hundred pieces, including legendary ninjas transformed into formidable weapons.
In his quest for eternity, Sasori even turned himself into a puppet, keeping only his heart. A radical choice indeed!
Hidan and Kakuzu: The Immortal Duo
Hidan and Kakuzu form the most original duo in the Akatsuki. Two renegade ninjas with very different motivations, yet both equally fearsome...
Originally from Yugakure, Hidan is a devotee of Jashinism, a cult that advocates total destruction in the name of Jashin. Expelled for his extreme violence, he joined the Akatsuki with the aim of spreading his murderous faith.
Vulgar and sadistic, Hidan harbors a true passion for torture. His weapon of choice is his massive three-bladed scythe, which allows him to perform a macabre ritual. Through it, he bonds his life to that of his victims, enabling him to injure them without risking death. A technique that renders him nearly immortal!
Kakuzu, on the other hand, is a former ninja from Takigakure. After failing to assassinate the First Hokage, he was imprisoned and tortured by his own village before escaping. The lure of money then led him to the Akatsuki.
Greedy and calculating, Kakuzu sees the world only through the lens of money. Thanks to a forbidden technique, he steals the hearts of his enemies, which, in turn, makes him immortal as well.
Motivated by opposing ideals, their thirst for violence and their near-immortality make Hidan and Kakuzu one of the deadliest tandems in Konoha.
Zetsu: The Two-Toned Spy
Zetsu is the enigmatic spy and messenger of the Akatsuki. Present at every meeting, his role is to gather crucial information and erase the traces of battles. To do so, he devours corpses!
With his two-toned appearance, Zetsu actually harbors two distinct entities: the naive and talkative White Zetsu and the cunning, sarcastic Black Zetsu. The two can separate or merge at will, facilitating their communication.
Zetsu masters the art of blending into nature, allowing him to travel incognito. He can also create clones of himself and others thanks to the Technique of the Flower of Maya.
Akatsuki in Action
Although originally founded on pacifist ideals, the Akatsuki quickly veered into a dark and destructive path. Manipulated by Obito, the organization embarked on a quest for power with devastating consequences for the ninja world. Let’s explore the actions and landmark confrontations of these feared criminals.
Their Macabre Plan
Under Obito’s direction, the Akatsuki’s main objective was to capture the nine jinchuriki who host the bijû, immense sources of chakra. Their goal? To reconstruct the Ten-Tails. Using the powers of the Rinnegan, they planned to create an artificial moon and plunge the world into a perfect illusion: the Infinite Tsukuyomi, the fabled Moon’s Eye Plan.
To extract the bijû from their hosts, the Akatsuki employed a ritual known as the Seal Arts. A long and perilous process, often fatal for the jinchuriki involved. The Akatsuki succeeded in capturing the first eight bijû and their jinchuriki using this ritual. But when they attempted to seize Kurama, the nine-tailed fox demon sealed within Naruto Uzumaki, they failed.
During the Fourth Great Ninja War, Obito managed to become the new jinchuriki of the reconstructed Ten-Tails. However, Naruto, Sasuke, Kakashi, and the other Kages eventually defeated Obito, the reincarnated Madara, and the Ten-Tails. The Infinite Tsukuyomi plan was thus stopped just in time thanks to the combined efforts of the Shinobi Alliance.
Memorable Battles
Throughout its mission, the Akatsuki faced numerous obstacles, including hidden villages and their allies. Here are some of the most memorable confrontations:
- Naruto vs. Pain: The ultimate showdown between Jiraiya’s disciple and the leader of the Akatsuki, featuring the destruction of Konoha and Naruto’s rapid evolution into Sage Mode.
- Sasuke (Taka) vs. Killer Bee: A spectacular battle pitting the young, power-hungry Sasuke against Kumo’s master jinchuriki, showcasing the capabilities of Team Taka.
- Sakura and Chiyo vs. Sasori: A poignant duel between the legendary Chiyo and her defector grandson Sasori, allowing Sakura to prove her combat worth.
- Itachi vs. Sasuke: The long-awaited fraternal clash that revealed the truth behind the Uchiha massacre and ended Sasuke’s quest for vengeance.
- Jiraiya vs. Pain: A tragic clash between master and student, unveiling the identity of the mysterious Pain and resulting in the death of one of the legendary Sannin.
The Decline of the Akatsuki
The defeat of the Akatsuki at the hands of the Allied Forces put an end to their dark ambitions. Obito, the real Tobi, was nothing more than a pawn manipulated by Madara. Despite a brief resurgence of the latter, Naruto and Sasuke ultimately managed to vanquish the Akatsuki. The end of an era!
Although the Akatsuki sown suffering and destruction, its legacy also paved the way for unprecedented solidarity among the villages. The criminal organization’s journey played a key role in shaping Naruto’s pacifist vision, crucial to his evolution. From these shadows emerged a glimmer of hope for a better world, carried by the new generation of shinobi.
From Terror to Peace?
The journey of the Akatsuki reminds us that even the noblest ideals can be corrupted by the thirst for power and vengeance. Behind the masks were tormented souls, willing to sacrifice everything for their destructive ambitions. Yet, the legacy of this organization has helped instill an unprecedented sense of unity in the ninja world.
And what if Obito had not manipulated Nagato? What would have happened then? Could the Akatsuki have truly established lasting peace through peaceful means? And would Naruto have become the hero we know without the fierce opposition of this formidable organization? The Akatsuki alone embodies the fundamental duality of the Naruto world, where the boundaries between Good and Evil are far thinner than they appear!
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