Kakuzu Killed by Kakashi Hatake Takigakure
Kakuzu's Partner Killed by Kakuzu Unknown
Kisame Hoshigaki Survives to next iteration Kirigakure
Konan Left organisation Amegakur
Who are the 12 members of the Akatsuki?
All Akatsuki Members in 'Naruto,' Ranked by Strength
***The Akatsuki***
In the world of *Naruto*, few groups command the same level of intrigue and fear as the Akatsuki. With their distinctive red-clouded cloaks, powerful abilities, and enigmatic members, the Akatsuki play a crucial role in shaping the fate of the shinobi world. This group, initially formed with noble intentions, devolves into a terrifying organization bent on gathering the Tailed Beasts for their own sinister purposes. Let’s explore the Akatsuki members, their motivations, and their roles in *Naruto* and *Naruto Shippuden*.
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### 1. **Nagato (Pain)**
Nagato, known as Pain, is one of the founding members of the Akatsuki. After suffering immense personal loss in the wake of war, Nagato’s idealism turned into radicalism. His ultimate goal is to bring peace to the world by creating a super-weapon that would force nations into submission. Using the power of the Rinnegan, Nagato controls six bodies collectively known as the Six Paths of Pain, making him one of the most powerful shinobi in the series. His ideology of peace through pain mirrors the complexity of conflict and war in the Naruto universe.
### 2. **Konan**
A childhood friend of Nagato, Konan is the only female member of the Akatsuki. Her Paper Ninjutsu is both unique and deadly, allowing her to manipulate countless sheets of paper into weapons, clones, or even wings for flight. Loyal to Nagato until the end, Konan remains one of the most steadfast characters in the series. After Nagato’s death, she attempts to protect his legacy and vision for peace, showing her deep belief in his ideals.
### 3. **Itachi Uchiha**
One of the most complex and beloved characters in *Naruto*, Itachi Uchiha is known for his tragic backstory. A former prodigy of the Leaf Village, Itachi massacred his own clan, including his parents, under the orders of the village leaders. However, this act was done to prevent an Uchiha coup that would have caused a civil war. His true goal was always the protection of his younger brother, Sasuke, and the village itself. In the Akatsuki, Itachi plays a vital role while also keeping his true motives hidden.
### 4. **Kisame Hoshigaki**
Kisame, also known as the Monster of the Hidden Mist, is a former ninja from the Village Hidden in the Mist and Itachi’s partner in the Akatsuki. With his giant sword Samehada, which can absorb chakra, Kisame is a fearsome warrior. He shares a nihilistic worldview and believes in the inevitability of conflict and chaos. Despite his ruthless nature, Kisame develops a strong sense of respect for his partner, Itachi, and remains one of the most formidable members of the organization.
### 5. **Deidara**
An explosive artist in both a literal and figurative sense, Deidara’s mastery of explosive clay techniques makes him a destructive force in battle. A former shinobi of the Hidden Stone Village, Deidara believes that art is an explosion, and he uses his clay sculptures to create massive detonations. His fights are often spectacular, and his rivalry with Sasuke showcases his creativity in battle. Deidara’s artistic philosophy makes him one of the more eccentric members of the Akatsuki.
### 6. **Sasori**
Deidara’s partner, Sasori of the Red Sand, is a puppet master from the Hidden Sand Village. Having transformed his own body into a puppet, Sasori's mastery over human puppetry is both terrifying and fascinating. His ability to turn his victims into living puppets is a reflection of his obsession with immortality and control. Sasori’s battle with Sakura and Lady Chiyo is one of the most memorable fights in the series, where his tragic past as a boy who lost his parents to war is revealed.
### 7. **Hidan**
Perhaps the most fanatical member of the Akatsuki, Hidan is a follower of the cult-like religion Jashin, which thrives on destruction and suffering. Hidan’s primary ability is his immortality, which allows him to survive even the most devastating injuries. His ritualistic fighting style involves drawing a symbol on the ground and linking his pain to that of his opponents, making him one of the most sadistic and dangerous members. Hidan's partnership with Kakuzu is both volatile and effective, given their contrasting personalities.
### 8. **Kakuzu**
Kakuzu, a mercenary by nature, is driven by greed and material gain. Originally from the Hidden Waterfall Village, Kakuzu has lived for decades, using his forbidden technique to steal the hearts of his opponents and extend his life. This also allows him to use various elemental jutsu. Paired with Hidan, the two form an unorthodox team due to their unique abilities. Kakuzu’s near-immortality and cold pragmatism make him one of the most terrifying members of the Akatsuki.
### 9. **Zetsu**
Zetsu is a unique member of the Akatsuki, composed of two personalities: Black Zetsu and White Zetsu. Acting as the organization’s spy and information gatherer, Zetsu can merge with the environment and travel undetected. Black Zetsu, in particular, plays a crucial role in the overall *Naruto* storyline, revealing itself to be the will of Kaguya Ōtsutsuki, manipulating events for millennia to bring about her resurrection. Zetsu’s role as both a supporter and orchestrator behind the scenes makes it indispensable to the Akatsuki’s operations.
### 10. **Tobi (Obito Uchiha)**
At first, Tobi appears to be a goofy and incompetent member of the Akatsuki. However, it is later revealed that Tobi is actually Obito Uchiha, a former comrade of Kakashi and one of the main antagonists of *Naruto Shippuden*. Obito was manipulated by Madara Uchiha and later became the true leader of the Akatsuki. His goal was to cast the Infinite Tsukuyomi, a genjutsu that would place the entire world into a dream-like state, thus ending all conflict, though through ultimately tyrannical means.
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### Conclusion
The Akatsuki’s members, each with their own tragic pasts, ideologies, and goals, represent the series' deep exploration of moral ambiguity and the cost of peace. From Nagato’s desire to end war through fear, to Obito’s misguided pursuit of an ideal world, the Akatsuki embodies the series' central themes of pain, loss, and the search for peace. Their actions, though often dark and destructive, shape the course of the *Naruto* universe, leaving an indelible mark on both the characters and fans alike.
