Post by Konan-Dono on Jun 25, 2008 18:23:12 GMT -5
Akatsuki
Akatsuki, meaning "Dawn" or "Daybreak", is a criminal organization composed of ten high-level ninja that have defected from their village of origin. The group receives little attention during the first part of the series, only becoming the major antagonists in Part II. Akatsuki members are characterized by their long, dark cloaks bearing red clouds with a chin-high collar. Each also possesses a unique ring, which seems to symbolize one's membership in the organization. Members are partnered together in teams of two, each team sticking together as they traverse the Naruto world. Despite this partnership, members tend to have a strained relationship with their peers, only cooperating enough to complete their assignments and showing little concern when another member is killed. Orochimaru defects from the organization before the start of the series, taking his ring with him, and thus Akatsuki never exceeds nine members during the current storyline.
Akatsuki was founded by Madara Uchiha after he was expelled from his hometown of Konohagakure. Though initially meant only to mask Madara's movements, Akatsuki eventually began taking part in assassinations and espionage. By the start of the current storyline, Akatsuki's ambitions grow to plans of world domination. To mark this more dynamic goal, Akatsuki increases its activity throughout the series as it attempts to capture the nine powerful tailed beasts. Each member is assigned to capture a specific beast or its current host, at which point Akatsuki convenes to extract the beast and seal it away for their grand plan. As the Akatsuki leader, Pein, explains it, once all nine beasts have been captured Akatsuki will be able to harness their great strength to start world wars at their leisure. With the world governments unable to deal with the beasts' power, Akatsuki will be turned to for salvation, teaching the world the meaninglessness of fighting and giving Akatsuki complete control in the process;;
The Akatsuki is an elite organization composed of S-rank ninja who defected from their villages. Although the term often refers to its ten main members, the Akatsuki is actually far more extensive, including low-level subordinates who either follow a single member or contribute to the organization's expansion. The Akatsuki originally appeared to seek out the tailed beasts. As the plot developed, however, it was revealed that the organization, as a whole, aspired for world domination; acquiring the tailed beasts was only one step to reach their goal. They currently have 7 of the 9 tailed beasts in their possession.
It has been implied that membership into the Akatsuki is invitational; a notorious reputation for wreaking havoc seems to be mandatory, or immense power at the very least. Deidara, for example, was already a well-known terrorist upon invitation; Sasori was capable of single-handedly defeating the Third Kazekage.
The Akatsuki is visibly lead by Pein, who assigns missions to pairs of members, but is actually led by Madara Uchiha, who founded the organization and is a member under the alias of Tobi
The Entire Akatsuki;; Past and Current Members
Current Members