The Akatsuki, a group in Naruto, comprised mainly of renegade ninjas from hidden villages. Their collective aim was to capture all the Tailed Beasts, positioning themselves for global dominance. Originally led by Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan, their mission was to establish peace, but Obito's interference veered them towards his Eye of the Moon Plan.
Not only were the Akatsuki members incredibly strong, but they also possessed strategic brilliance, enabling them to overpower many of the world's mightiest shinobi.
Ranking members of Akatsuki on the basis of intelligence in Naruto
Hidan, depicted in the popular anime Naruto (Image via Studio Pierrot)
A renegade shinobi hailed from Yugakure, Hidan abandoned his village due to its strong adherence to pacifism, in stark contrast to his belief that violence was the sole path of a true ninja. Before departing, Hidan even went so far as to slay his own neighbors. Bestowed with immortality by the god Jashin, he possessed extraordinary powers.
Kakuzu disliked him for his recklessness as he tended to quickly engage in combat without devising any strategies.
10) Hidan
Kisame Hoshigaki, as depicted in the Naruto anime (Image via Studio Pierrot)
Kisame, infamous as The Monster of the Hidden Mist, was a prominent member of Akatsuki and one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. He possessed immense strength and was often paired with Itachi Uchiha, making them one of the most formidable duos in the organization.
With his powerful Sentinel sword, Kisame proved to be an unstoppable force, easily defeating a Jinchuriki single-handedly. While he was undeniably a formidable shinobi, his approach relied more on sheer strength than strategic thinking.
9) Kisame Hoshigaki
In the anime Naruto (Image via Studio Pierrot), Deidara is showcased. Originally a member of the Explosion Corps in Iwagakure, this rogue ninja attained the S-rank status. Deidara daringly deserted his village, possessing the coveted Kinjutsu, a technique strictly forbidden. Notably, he earned the esteemed reputation of being one of the most astute shinobi hailing from Iwagakure.
During his battle with Sasuke Uchiha, he demonstrated his intelligence by trapping himself between his C2 dragon on top and the clay landmines beneath the ground.
8) Deidara
Kakuzu, depicted in the widely acclaimed anime Naruto (Image via Studio Pierrot)
Kakuzu, a proficient shinobi, defied the formidable First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, and emerged victorious, defying all odds. His village selected him to eliminate Hashirama due to his extraordinary mastery of ninjutsu. Kakuzu exhibited a pragmatic nature that contrasted sharply with the genius of his partner, Hidan.
7) Kakuzu
Displaying his astute intellect, he managed to outsmart Shikamaru's trap wherein he ensnared both Hidan and himself using the Shadow Imitation Shuriken Technique. Marvelously, he successfully escaped by cleverly concealing his right arm beneath the ground right before the assault.
Konan, as depicted in the anime Naruto (Image via Studio Pierrot), was one of the orphans of Amegakure. Alongside Yahiko and Nagato, she played a crucial role in the formation of Akatsuki. However, unlike her fellow comrades, she predominantly focused on strategizing for the organization rather than partaking in direct confrontations. Notably, Konan possessed an acute discernment of Tobi's malevolent intentions and had foreknowledge that she would eventually have to confront him in battle.
She studied Tobi’s Space-Time Technique and performed countless simulations to come up with the perfect counter that would kill him.
6) Konan
Sasori, depicted in the Naruto anime (Image via Studio Pierrot)
Renowned as one of the most formidable puppet ninjas to have emerged from Hidden Sand, Sasori effortlessly disposed of the Third Kazekage and skillfully transformed his lifeless form into a puppet, thus acquiring the extraordinary Magnetic Release Kekkei Genkai. Exhibiting an astute nature, Sasori methodically strategized and possessed a suitable rebuttal to every single aspect encountered in combat.
He was very knowledgeable about the human body and invented many deadly poisons whose antidote would be near to impossible.
5) Sasori
Nagato Uzumaki, as depicted in the Naruto anime (Image via Studio Pierrot)
Initially, Nagato served as the acting leader of Akatsuki, while Obito operated covertly as the true leader. With his formidable Six Paths of Pain, Nagato proved to be an unstoppable force in Naruto. A genius in his own right, he effectively utilized all the paths, single-handedly wreaking havoc upon Konoha.
4) Nagato Uzumaki
By utilizing the Naraka path, he skillfully extracted vital information from the Shinobis of Konoha, while simultaneously acquiring a wealth of invaluable intelligence about the village through the extraction of their souls by means of his Human path.Itachi Uchiha as portrayed in the Naruto anime series (Image via Studio Pierrot)
Renowned for his exceptional intellect, Itachi excelled within the Uchiha clan and was regarded as a prodigy among shinobis. Even at a tender age, he possessed a rare ability to think like a Hokage, making him highly esteemed in Konoha. Notably, he achieved the second-highest score in the Chunin Exams' written test, surpassed only by Minato in the exam's history.
In combat, he used to properly analyze the outcomes and remained calm, which helped him devise the best strategy possible to defeat his opponents.
3) Itachi Uchiha
Obito Uchiha, as depicted in the popular anime series Naruto (Image via Studio Pierrot), initially displayed delayed growth but ultimately emerged as a formidable adversary. With cunning tactics, he seized control of the Akatsuki organization, skillfully manipulating each member to further his pursuit of the Eye of the Moon Plan.
2) Obito Uchiha
With Madara Uchiha as his mentor, Obito attained a comprehensive understanding of the Shinobi world. Additionally, his sharp powers of observation enabled him to strategize more efficiently and devise superior tactics when dealing with his adversaries.Zetsu, as depicted in the anime Naruto (Image via Studio Pierrot).
Essentially, within the Naruto series, there existed a pair of Zetsu beings. One was known as the White Zetsu, a hapless victim entangled in Kaguya Otsutsuki’s Eye of the Moon Plan. The other counterpart was the Black Zetsu, embodying the resolute desires of Kaguya Otsutsuki.
Zetsu was behind all the wars that ever took place in Naruto. He possessed knowledge of millennia, which helped him devise the wickedest acts possible.
1) Zetsu
Every member of the diverse Akatsuki contributes unique qualities to the team. Intelligence is a crucial attribute for any ninja, particularly for those involved in such a formidable organization. This intelligence may manifest in various forms, such as exceptional intellect, strategic acumen, or formidable combat skills.
Stay tuned for the latest updates on Naruto as the beloved anime makes its much-anticipated return after a hiatus of over ten years. In celebration of the 20th anniversary since the original anime's debut, the studio will be re-releasing four episodes of the series in the coming months. Note: Article modified on September 24th, 4:00 AM.