winter-serenade

Canonically? No, Naruto didn't love Sakura, -at least- in the sense of romantic love, I.E., pre-Last, he never felt love before. He only understood the concept.
 
I do also highly disagree that Hinata was just "shoe-horned", as you are either ignoring it was developed earlier on, or just missing those details.

I dont agree with these statements. Not one bit. Heres why.

There has been evidence in the databooks and manga itself that Naruto has loved Sakura. The parallels, the way he acts around her, Hakus words When you have something special that you want to protect, only then can you become truly strong, the fight with Gaara.

When he made the Promise of a Lifetime to Sakura, the emotions he had made it clear as day that he was in love. When he said I know how much pain youre in because of Sasuke. I can understand. The way Naruto's face was hidden indicated hidden feelings. He could understand because he too had an unrequited love: for Sakura. And thats only in Part 1.

In Part 2, the moment that sticks out to me is Sais flashback, when he asked Naruto his feelings towards Sakura. The only reason Naruto didnt confess to Sakura was because he didnt keep his promise of bringing Sasuke back the day of the Valley of the End fight.

As for Hinata being shoehorned in, she was. I did some digging and it turns out she has only been in less than 80 panels in the whole 700 chapters of the series. It was hardly developed early on. Plus, the fact she was suddenly made into such an important character is more than enough to confirm she was shoehorned. For the sake of fan service, of course.

 
And no, she wasn't, certainly not in part two. Not shoe-horning it in even, just stating the truth.

Hmm... I don’t agree with that. If we’re talking about Naruto’s love interest, then she most definitely was. Up until The Last, his love interest has always been Sakura.