I don't know. Aside from Naruto/Sakura looking for him, Sasuke's plot was basically separated from the rest. They were too busy fighting the Akatsuki and I remember large gaps where you didn't even see Sasuke.
The issue is that the Sasuke focus made you wonder more than once if he was actually the main character. Too many plot points resolved around Naruto chasing and screaming Sasuke which became unbearably redundant and even pathetic (punched by the rock ninja girl). Moments where Naruto showed his courage with the written exam against all odds and earning the respect of other people by standing his ground. Or when he defeated Neji one of the absolute favorite and going against his fate to become Hokage made Naruto into an extremely simple, relatable, and compelling character. Naruto stopped being lovable little by little when Sasuke became one of his main goals.
@Tsuki Hoshino
I just think that Sasuke should have never left Konoha in the first place. Part 1 could have ended with a tie between Naruto and Sasuke being KO by making the Uchiha have the same realization at the end of part 2 that he was jealous and team 7 became his family. Or he could have made Sasuke return in all out war against Orochimaru in the middle of part 2 like after the Hidan and kakuzu arc would have been the ideal moment.
Sai was personally not my favorite because of his design and he felt like a character that Kishi was trying to replace Sasuke who never got as popular as him in the end. I actually think Kishi intended Ino to end up with Choji with moments when she gives him advice to lose weight, showing concern with his dad when he almost died, and complimenting on his look when he was slimmer.
Edit: Its just that the korean drama Good doctor made me realize that you cannot separate the main trio otherwise there will be a void left that ultimately killed the Naruto series.
Edited by hinataiscreepy, 29 January 2018 - 03:52 PM.