Fan Debate: Kakuzu, Not Kisame, Deserved Akatsuki Spot Over Naruto Villain

The Akatsuki organization remains a large presence in Naruto lore. They are rogue ninjas seeking world peace but using bad methods to achieve it. Fan debates frequently hit platforms like FandomWire and other sites. These discussions often argue that Kakuzu, the hard-hitting villain, should take Kisame Hoshigaki's spot in terms of overall threat or ranking.

Kakuzu is known as the immortal bounty hunter. He possesses five hearts which grant him superhuman regeneration abilities. He was involved in major clashes against Team 7 and Team 10 during the series. His primary technique is the Earth Grudge Fear, which allows him to steal the hearts of others. This ability made him almost impossible to kill in combat. Naruto eventually beat him with a Rasenshuriken, which destroyed all five hearts simultaneously. Kakashi was the one who developed the strategy to make this work.

Kisame relied heavily on Samehada, his chakra monster sword. He also relied too much on water style jutsu. Kakuzu demonstrated much more versatility and durability than Kisame. Kakuzu has centuries of survival marking his history, and he mastered multiple elemental styles. This mastery makes him a better tactical asset for Nagato's overall Akatsuki goals, and a more durable fighter.

Rankings from outlets like Collider and Screen Rant often place Kakuzu above members like Hidan or Deidara in terms of power. Obito Uchiha himself noticed Kakuzu's high threat level. This discussion brings back significant Naruto Shippuden nostalgia for fans. Kakuzu’s absence in certain rivalries against Naruto and Sasuke feels like a missed opportunity for the narrative. Naruto continues to generate spin-offs and theories even heading into 2025. These ongoing debates show the series depth when discussing power scaling and character hierarchy.