Quote Originally Posted by chet_chetty

I always had the feeling that if you're an akatsuki that is defeated or dies, the leader thinks that member is too weak to remain in the group anyways. But the leader did say "Don't talk about your comrades like that" when Kisame seemingly took enjoyment in Hidan and Kakuzu's death. I want to say that's the main nindo of the Leaf but didnt the whole "You're lower than trash if you do not protect your comrades" thing start with the White Fang, passed down to Kakashi, passed down to Naruto? Yes this is my wild theory that the leader of the Akatsuki is the White Fang. Motive to start Akatsuki? Betrayal by village for upholding his most important principle.
There is only one problem: Akatsuki's goal. The whole taking over the world with economic exploit doesn't really fit the White Fang's character. Then again, we know relatively little about Kakashi's father.