The Akatsuki has had wildly different purposes over the course of its existence. Under its first leader, Yahiko, they were trying to lead the world to the dawn of a new age of peace and understanding. After Yahiko's death, it underwent drastic changes by its 2nd leader Pain/Nagato and is now composed of about 10 S-rank criminals desiring to capture all 9 tailed beasts for world domination.