In the Naruto manga, the Akatsuki was the criminal organization that brought together the most dangerous ninja from the Konoha clans of the Naruto manga. Created by Obito Uchiha under the mask of Tobi , it included iconic characters such as Itachi, Zetsu, Pain and Konan. Its goals evolved from the quest for peace to world domination during the Great Shinobi War .
Manipulated by Obito, the members of the Akastuki embarked on a destructive quest to gather the nine bijû . Discover who is behind this organization, their powers and their roles in the ninja world!
The History of Akatsuki
The Akatsuki began as a group of young ninjas who wanted to bring peace to their war-torn village. Their noble quest unfortunately turned into a nightmare after Yahiko's death. Manipulated by Obito Uchiha, Nagato transformed the Akatsuki into a criminal organization aiming to dominate the world.
But how could their ideals have turned so violent? Let's discover together the origins and mysteries of the Akatsuki.
The founders: Yahiko, Konan and Nagato
Yahiko, Konan and Nagato were three orphans from the hidden village of Ame , deeply marked by the ravages of the Second Shinobi World War. Taken in by Jiraiya , one of the Sannin of Konoha , he instilled in them the techniques of ninjutsu as well as the values of courage and friendship.
Yahiko , the most charismatic of the group, dreamed of leading his village to establish peace. Konan , the only girl in the trio, stood out for her talent as a kunoichi and her mastery of the art of paper. As for Nagato , holder of the powerful Rinnegan, his colossal strength was matched only by his aspiration for peace, despite his reserved nature.
Together, these three childhood friends founded the Akatsuki, an organization that initially advocated a pacifist ideal . Their strong bond and their desire to rebuild a better world marked the history of the ninja world.
A deep desire for peace
Inspired by Jiraiya's lessons and the story of the legendary Hermit Rikudō, the first Rinnegan user, Yahiko, Konan, and Nagato founded the Akatsuki. Their primary mission? To create a world without war where all ninja could live in harmony. They wanted to achieve this goal through diplomacy and negotiation.
Initially, about twenty ninjas who shared this vision joined them. The Akatsuki was seen as a beacon of hope by the citizens of Ame, earning respect and admiration. But not everything went as planned...
Drifting into Darkness
Despite their initial dreams, a tragic turn would change the fate of the Akatsuki. After Yahiko was assassinated by Hanzo, Nagato, consumed by grief and a thirst for revenge, fell under the pernicious influence of Obito Uchiha , posing as Madara.
A skilled manipulator, Obito slowly diverted Nagato from the pacifist path, exploiting his grief to draw him into a destructive quest for power .
Under the name Pain , Nagato then transformed the Akatsuki into a fearsome criminal organization. Their goal was no longer to establish peace, but to gather the nine bijû to carry out Obito's dark project: the Infinite Tsukuyomi . An illusion intended to enslave humanity!
Thus, the founders' dreams of harmony gave way to a limitless thirst for domination, plunging the ninja world into chaos .
The iconic members of the Akatsuki
To carry out their dark deeds, Nagato and Obito have recruited some of the most powerful and dangerous ninjas in the world. Let's discover the members of the Akastuki who have made the Ninja Countries tremble with their exploits.
Konan and Nagato (Pain): The Last Founders
Konan and Nagato are the last two survivors of the founding trio of the Akatsuki. After the tragic death of their friend Yahiko, they turned their immense pain into a new destructive mission.
Now masters of the Hidden Rain Village , they advocate a radical philosophy: only those who have known suffering can truly appreciate peace. Convinced by the vision of Obito posing as Madara, they blindly support his "Eye of the Moon" plan.
Konan, the only woman in the organization , is unwaveringly loyal to Nagato. Nicknamed the Angel of God, she has mastered a unique art: paper ninjutsu. Her offensive and defensive origami creations make her virtually untouchable.
Nagato, leader of the Akatsuki under the identity of Pain, has extraordinary power thanks to the Rinnegan. He can control six different bodies, increasing his combat abilities tenfold. Even if he advocates peace, he does not hesitate to sacrifice innocents... A strange character!
Itachi Uchiha: The Genius
Itachi was a true prodigy of the famous Uchiha clan of Konoha. From a young age, he already mastered the powerful hereditary dôjutsu, the Sharingan . His exceptional talents allowed him to integrate very early the ranks of the Anbu, the elite of the village's special forces.
But at just 13 years old, Itachi committed the unthinkable by slaughtering every member of his own clan ... except for his younger brother Sasuke. An act of unspeakable cruelty that left a deep mark on people's minds.
His membership in the Akatsuki actually hid a secret mission: to protect Sasuke while monitoring the organization from the inside. Behind his calm and apparent coldness, Itachi hid deep brotherly feelings.
Undisputed master of genjutsu, his devastating illusions like the Tsukuyomi plunge his victims into unbearable mental nightmares. Thanks to the Mangekyô Sharingan , he also deploys immense offensive powers such as the famous Susanô . Although presented as a heartless traitor, Itachi actually sacrificed himself to protect Sasuke and the village of Konoha.
Tobi (Obito Uchiha): The man behind the mask
Behind the mask of Madara Uchiha is actually Obito Uchiha, the true mastermind of the Akatsuki . Once Kakashi's teammate, everyone believed him dead during the Third Great Ninja War. But 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 . First introduced as the clumsy Tobi, he gradually reveals his multiple facets: strategist, skilled manipulator, but also a desperate being, haunted by the memory of Rin Nohara .
Holder of the Sharingan and the Rinnegan, his powers are exceptional. The Kamui allows him to teleport or become untouchable. He can also control the bijûs thanks to the Gedô Mazô. An opponent to be wary of!
Kisame Hoshigaki: The Tailless Biju
Hailing from Kirigakure, Kisame has a raw power worthy of a legendary creature. After assassinating the Fourth Mizukage , this brutal and sadistic man joined the Akatsuki, seeking 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 and intelligent sword. This unique weapon can absorb the chakra of his opponents, weakening them over the course of the fight. Kisame never leaves it!
Alongside Itachi Uchiha, they form a duo that sows terror in its path. Although brutal, Kisame shows unwavering loyalty to his partner and the criminal organization. An adversary that even the most valiant ninjas fear to face.
Deidara: The Explosive Artist
Hailing from Iwa, Deidara was once a dangerous terrorist. But it was his explosive art that caught the attention of the Akatsuki. Subjugated by Itachi, he joined the organization in order to prove the superiority of his unique fighting style.
With mouths implanted on his hands, Deidara shapes clay into explosive sculptures. For this passionate artist, each explosion is an ephemeral but grandiose work of art. A visual and sound spectacle of unparalleled power that makes Deidara an adversary as creative as he is deadly .
Sasori: The Puppet Master
A native of Sunagakure, Sasori turned to puppetry following the death of his parents during the First Ninja World War. Severing his ties with his home village 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 numbers over a hundred pieces, including legendary ninjas converted into fearsome weapons.
In his quest for eternity, Sasori went so far as to transform himself into a puppet, keeping only his heart. A radical choice!
Hidan and Kakuzu: The Immortal Duo
Hidan and Kakuzu are the most original duo in the Akatsuki. Two renegade ninjas with very different motivations, but equally formidable...
Hailing from Yugakure, Hidan is a follower of Jashinism , a cult that advocates total destruction in the name of Jashin. Expelled for his extreme violence, he joined the Akatsuki in an effort to spread his murderous faith.
Vulgar and sadistic, Hidan has a real passion for torture. His weapon of choice is his huge three-bladed scythe , which allows him to perform a macabre ritual. With it, he binds his life to that of his victims, thus being able to injure them without risking death. A technique that makes him almost immortal !
Kakuzu, meanwhile, 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 gain later led him to the Akatsuki.
Avaricious and calculating, Kakuzu sees the world only through the prism of money. Using a forbidden technique , he steals the hearts of his enemies. Which also makes him immortal.
Motivated by opposing ideals, their thirst for violence and near-immortality make Hidan and Kakuzu one of the deadliest duos in Konoha.
Zetsu: The Two-Tone Spy
Zetsu is the enigmatic spy and messenger of the Akatsuki. Present at every meeting, her role is to gather crucial information and make the traces of the fighting disappear. To do this, she devours corpses!
Although Zetsu is two-toned in appearance, he is actually home to two separate entities: the naive and talkative White Zetsu and the cunning and sarcastic Black Zetsu . The two can separate or unite at will, facilitating their communication.
Zetsu has mastered the art of blending into nature, allowing him to travel incognito. He can also create clones of himself and others using the Maya Flower technique.
Akatsuki in action
Although founded on pacifist ideals, the Akatsuki quickly deviated 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 discover the actions and notable confrontations of these feared criminals.
Their macabre plan
Under Obito's leadership, the Akatsuki's main objective was to capture the nine jinchūriki holding the bijūs, immense sources of chakra. Their goal? To reform the Jūbi, the ten-tailed demon . 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 famous Eye of the Moon plan.
To extract the tailed beasts from their hosts, the Akatsuki used a ritual called Sealing Arts . A long and perilous process, often fatal for the jinchūriki concerned. The Akatsuki managed to capture the first eight tailed beasts and their jinchūriki through this ritual. But when they attempted to seize Kurama , the nine-tailed demon fox sealed within Naruto Uzumaki, they failed.
During the Fourth Ninja World War, Obito managed to become the new jinchūriki of the reborn demon 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 narrowly stopped thanks to the combined efforts of the Shinobi Alliance.
The most notable fights
During their mission, the Akatsuki faced many obstacles, including the Hidden Villages and their allies. Here are some memorable encounters:
- Naruto vs Pain : The ultimate showdown between Jiraiya's disciple and the leader of the Akatsuki, featuring the destruction of Konoha and Naruto's meteoric rise to Sage Mode.
- Sasuke (Taka) vs Killer Bee : A spectacular fight pitting the young, power-hungry Sasuke against the Jinchûriki master of Kumogakure, involving the abilities of Team Taka.
- Sakura and Chiyo vs. Sasori : A moving duel between the legendary Chiyo and her deserter grandson Sasori, allowing Sakura to prove her worth in combat.
- Itachi vs. Sasuke : The long-awaited fratricidal confrontation, revealing the truth about the Uchiha massacre and ending Sasuke's quest for revenge.
- Jiraiya vs. Pain : A clash between master and student of tragic proportions, revealing the identity of the mysterious Pain and leading to the death of one of the legendary Sannin.
The Decline of Akatsuki
The Akatsuki's defeat by the Allied Forces put an end to their dark ambitions. Obito, the real Tobi, was in reality only a pawn manipulated by Madara . Despite the latter's brief return, Naruto and Sasuke managed to definitively defeat the Akatsuki. The end of a chapter!
While the Akatsuki has brought suffering and destruction, its legacy has also allowed for unprecedented solidarity between villages. The criminal organization's journey has also shaped Naruto's pacifist vision , playing a key role in his evolution. From this darkness has been born 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 revenge . Behind the masks hid tormented beings, ready to sacrifice everything for their destructive ambitions. However, the legacy of this organization will have helped to breathe an unprecedented wind of unity into the ninja world.
And if Obito had not manipulated Nagato, what would have happened? Could the Akatsuki have really established a 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 this fundamental duality of the world of Naruto, where the boundaries between Good and Evil are thinner than they seem!
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