The Akatsuki

Little is known by the mysterious organization known as The Akatsuki. The word "Akatsuki" in kanji means daybreak. However, this organization breaks down the word into "Aka which means red and Tsuki meaning moon." Thus, the nickname, Red Moon Organization. This organization is made up of 10 elite individuals each with a unique ability and each and everyone are missing nins or S-class criminals. One of the Akatsuki members, Orochimaru has fled and abandoned the organization in search of achieving his own objective, the destruction of Konoha. There are 5 other Akatsuki members that have been revealed so far (3 from anime and 2 from manga). The Akatsuki organization members wear a black cloak with red clouds and the forehead protector of their previous ninja village with a scratch across it. It will also be revealed that they each wear a unique ring on a different finger that identifies their rank/position in the organization.

Although not necessary, The Akatsuki organization travel and work in pairs. However, there are some times when they work alone. The known objective so far is their goal of harnessing the power or Chakra of the "jinchuuriki" which means the power of human sacrifice. These are those with demons trapped or sealed in their bodies. These demons are known by the number of tails they have and it seems the more tails it has, the more powerful it is. Kyuubi is known as the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox and Shukaku is the One-Tailed Tanuki (Raccoon). There are only 2 people known as jinchuuriku and they are Uzumaki Naruto possessing Kyuubi and Gaara of the Sand with Shukaku. In the anime, The Akatsuki organization has made their move to capture Naruto but was stopped. In the manga series, Gaara was defeated and captured and the organization proceeded in withdrawing Shukaku power.

Although the exact location of the Akatsuki base is unknown, it is within a cave in the River Country, a region between the Fire and Wind Countries. The cave has a huge statue called the "King of Hell". This statue has its mouth bound and hands cuffed. Each finger of the statue represents a member of the Akatsuki organization. With such bound with the statue, the members of the Akatsuki have the ability to project themselves into the cave for meetings when they are far apart. The extraction of Shukaku's power from Gaara requires 3 days due to the absence of Orochimaru. The remaining Akatsuki members use the sealing technique "Genryuu Kyuu Fuujin" or Mystical Dragon Nice Exhaustion to leech the power from the jinchuuriki. This act cause the statue of the "King of Hell" to open its mouth and nine spectral dragons will appear to coalesce around the jinchuuriki and begins the extraction process.

Known Akatsuki Members:

Anime:

1. Uchiha Itachi One of the few last remaining Sharingan users. Itachi is Sasukes elder brother and is believed to be the one that massacred the entire Uchiha clan himself in one night. Itachi also has the ability to activate the Mengekyu Sharingan, a higher and more powerful version of the Sharingan. Itachi is believed to be a high Jounin level as he was able to defeat Kakashi easily during their confrontation and fled from Konoha after the mass killings.

2. Hoshigaki Kisame He origins from the Hidden Village of the Mist and has great control over the Water Element. He engaged in murder and rebellion in his home country and fled and joined the Akatsuki. He is also believed to be of high Jounin level. He carries a sword that feeds on the Chakra of his opponents. Thus, the longer the fight lasts, the stronger he will become.

3. Zetsu His appearance in the anime was brief and appeared only after the battle between Sasuke and Naruto in the Valley of the End. His appearance is of like a Venus flytrap and his body is halved, a black side and a white side. He is from the Hidden Village of the Grass.

Manga:

1. Deidara, Deidara is from the Hidden Village of the Stone. Deidaras gender is uncertain and has yet to be revealed. However, its likely Deidara is a female. She has the ability to make clay into stone like creatures and give them life. She utilises this ability of hers to capture Gaara during the battle.

2. Sasori, Sasori meaning scorpion is from the Hidden Village of the Sand. Beneath his cloak, he hides a deadly poison tail. It seems that Sasori is a great Puppet Masters and some of his creations are still used by Kankurou. Sasori has coverted part of his body into puppet parts.

Information is accurate as of April 1, 2006. If there are any changes please inform admins, thank you!