Akatsuki, which means "Dawn" or "Daybreak," was a group of independent shinobi operating outside the usual village systems. Over the years, it went through various leaders and forms. While considered subversive or criminal, all iterations aimed to improve the world in their own ways. They had multiple hidden bases around the world, well-protected and hard to access.

Nagato's Akatsuki

With Yahiko's dying breath he entrusted the pursuit of peace to Nagato. After the war, powerful rogue ninjas were recruited with promises of protection to achieve their objectives. Once Akatsuki gathered ten members, they implemented a three-step plan to reach their objective.

Tobi's Akatsuki

Tobi joined Akatsuki to get access to Nagato, whose Rinnegan was crucial for the Eye of the Moon Plan. Over time, Obito operated in the background, letting Nagato lead Akatsuki. Obito guided Nagato to capture all nine-tailed beasts to revive the Ten-Tails. Tobi wanted to use the Ten-Tails to do a jutsu called Infinite Tsukuyomi. It would make everyone sleep and end all fights.

Shin's Akatsuki

A decade and a half after the war, Shin, an experiment of Orochimaru, develops an obsession with Itachi. He takes on the Uchiha name and sets out to seek vengeance against Sasuke as a way to honor Itachi's memory. Shin also embraces the Akatsuki name, thinking that their goal of constant conflict promotes strength and eliminates weakness. He creates numerous clones of himself and aims to revive Akatsuki.

Day Break Wardrobe

Members of Nagato's Akatsuki don long, black cloaks adorned with red clouds, featuring a red interior and a high collar. Tobi and Taka members wear hooded mantles with similar markings. The red clouds represent the bloodshed in Amegakure's wars and are seen as a symbol of justice by the original members.

Following Nagato's influence, many members began either crossing out the symbol on their forehead protector or choosing not to wear one altogether. This signifies their break from their former villages and allegiances.

Akatsuki's Ring

Under Nagato's leadership, every Akatsuki member wears one of ten rings on specific fingers. The rings have a crucial role in sealing the tailed beasts into the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path. They are not merely a symbol of membership. The rings determine where each member should stand on the statue's fingers, signifying their importance.