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Akatsuki (暁, lit. "Dawn") is a criminal organization in the Naruto manga. When it first appeared in the manga, the group was made up of nine deserted ninjas from various countries scattered around the ninja world. According to Yahiko, it was founded by him; however, according to Itachi, the true founder of Akatsuki was Obito Uchiwa (whom Itachi then assumed to be Madara Uchiwa). The latter confirms having been the instigator of Akatsuki's creation, back when it was made up of Nagato, Yahiko and Konan's Rain Village companions.

Easily recognizable, Akatsuki members move in pairs and wear a long black coat adorned with red clouds circled in white. These clouds are a symbol of "the wars that rained red on the Rain Village", Ame, whose leader Pain was until his death. Apart from the Taka team, who join Akatsuki during the 2ᵉ part, they also possess a ring each bearing a different kanji and each worn on a different finger, as well as fingernails colored different colors depending on the members.

This organization is considered by other ninjas to be the most dangerous and feared criminal organization in the world, due to the fact that all its members are wanted criminals of S rank, the highest.