The Akatsuki is one of the most important organizations to ever exist in the world of Naruto. Initially, the Akatsuki were seen as a group of chaotic individuals, but it was soon made clear that their goal was, in their own way, establishing their own version of world peace. Having made their debut in Naruto Chapter 139, which was officially released on October 7, 2002, in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump Issue 43, the Akatsuki went on to be immortalized forever and stand tall as one of the most iconic villain groups, not just in the Naruto series but in anime in general.
At the end of the Fourth Shinobi World War of Naruto, which was shown by Kishimoto on November 10, 2014, in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump Issue 50, the Akatsuki was largely believed to have ceased to exist. But there are three survivors who made it out of the Fourth Great Ninja War in different ways or forms. Some of these survivors continue to exist to this day and influence the events of the Boruto series, and it will be interesting to see how the Akatsuki continues through its survivors in the future.
Naruto’s 4th Shinobi World War Killed Nearly All Akatsuki
The Fourth Great Ninja War of the Naruto series wiped out the vast majority of the Akatsuki, and some of them fell even before the Fourth Great Ninja War began. The Akatsuki officially made its move in the second part of the Naruto series when they began with the kidnapping of the Fifth Kazekage, Gaara. It was in this arc that Sasori of the Akatsuki officially fell, and then both Hidan and Kakuzu met their end shortly after.
In the subsequent arcs, one Akatsuki member after another started to fall, including the leader of the group, Pain. The true nature of the Akatsuki was later revealed when the Fourth Great Ninja War was declared during the Five Kage Summit, and the remaining members of the Akatsuki joined the war on Obito’s side, which is where the vast majority of them perished.
By the end of the Fourth Great Ninja War, the majority of the Akatsuki were no longer a threat to the ninja world, and the vast majority were either incapacitated or dispersed. That said, there are some members of the Otsutsuki who are alive to this day and survived the onslaught of the Fourth Great Ninja War in different ways. These are Black Zetsu, Orochimaru, and Hidan, who continue to exist in the world of ninja in different ways.
How Black Zetsu, Orochimaru, And Hidan Survived
While the vast majority of Akatsuki members met their end in the Fourth Shinobi World War, the case of Black Zetsu was very different. Black Zetsu was not technically a human to begin with. All he was was the will incarnate of Kaguya Otsutsuki, and that is why he did not have a material form. It is for this reason that Black Zetsu could not technically be killed.
Zetsu: Wrong, Madara! You are not the Messiah! Nor is this the end of things!
Madara: What are you saying, Black Zetsu? You’re my will incarnate! I created you!
Zetsu: Wrong again! My will is Kaguya’s!
— Zetsu betrays Madara, Naruto Chapter #679
Naruto Uzumaki, the protagonist of the series, decided to seal him away in Chapter 690, released on September 15, 2014, in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump Issue 40. Just when Kaguya was sealed with the Six Paths Chibaku Tensei, Black Zetsu was thrown in as well and sealed for eternity. As is the case with all sealed individuals, Black Zetsu most certainly continues to exist to this day.
Alongside Black Zetsu, there is also the case of Hidan to consider. Hidan was buried alive by none other than Shikamaru, and as we all know, he was immortal. Technically, Hidan could not be killed, but Masashi Kishimoto confirmed in his Kai no Sho databook that he suffers from a lack of nutrition and could potentially have died from it. Hidan’s death may or may not have happened by the time of the Fourth Great Ninja War, and while he most certainly has died by now in the Boruto era, he still survived his burial by Shikamaru, which was one of the most painful ways to go.
“He was still alive at the time. But, just like normal humans, he can still rot if he doesn’t get nutrition.” — Kai no Sho, December 9, 2009
Finally, there is the case of Orochimaru to consider. Orochimaru joined the Akatsuki for quite some time, but after failing to get a hold of Itachi’s body, he defected from the organization. Right now, he is the only former Akatsuki member who is still active in the ninja world, continuing to build up his might in unique ways. Even in the Boruto era, Orochimaru is still active as a ninja and is known to be incredibly powerful.
The Fate Of The Akatsuki Survivors In The Modern Era Of Naruto
In the modern era of Naruto, the Akatsuki practically does not exist as it once was. Black Zetsu remains sealed in a different dimension, while Hidan has most likely died from a lack of nutrition, as confirmed by Masashi Kishimoto himself. Meanwhile, Orochimaru continues to exist in the Land of Fire, where he is allowed by the Hokage and the other elders to carry out his scientific experiments and grow closer to unearthing the secrets of life itself.
That said, Orochimaru isn’t particularly important in the current Boruto: Two Blue Vortex series. There is also the case of Shin Uchiha to consider. Shin wanted to start a new Akatsuki after being inspired by Itachi Uchiha, but eventually he was betrayed by his own clones, who have now been taken in at the Konoha orphanage by Kabuto Yakushi. Shin Uchiha clones may have an important role to play later down the line in the Boruto series because all of them wield the power of the Sharingan and thus could be utilized to repopulate the Uchiha clan, which was massacred by Itachi and Obito long ago.
“You’re all going to live here from now on, and I’m your father. My name is Kabuto! There’s no need to be shy!” — Shin Uchiha clones are integrated into Konoha Orphanage, Naruto Spin-Off
Other than these individuals, the Akatsuki is most certainly not going to make a comeback in any way or form, but their legacy is being carried by different individuals, and in some ways even by Naruto Uzumaki himself. The leader of the Akatsuki, Pain, entrusted all his dreams to Naruto, which he fulfilled by ending all wars between Shinobi nations. In many ways, Naruto himself is a remnant of the Akatsuki, and hopefully, he and his successors will go on to carry these ideals later on in the future as well.
All the chapters of Naruto by Masashi Kishimoto are available to read via Manga Plus and Viz Media.