Not really. It was more of Team 7 hope is lost to Sakura in this game. In the manga, it's Naruto/Team 7 for Sakura. Reason why is because they didn't show what Sai told Sakura. It did feel random for Sakura to show up without letting us know why. Yes, they said it, but the manga shows us that she felt guilty about Naruto and her promise so she wants to end it right a way. I wasn't effect by it, because CC2 is known to try to connect newer audience by showing who they are. For this case, they have to show that Sakura was in fact in love with Sasuke, but he's now a criminal and you know the rest. I didn't mind that much because if you did the ultimate jutsu finish, it's really about Team 7 reuniting but failed to do so. Sasuke kept blabbering about she's too weak and can't touch him. I thought that did more damage than good. Also, CC2 needed a reason for us to play a main character, Sakura, since well, we won't play as her for a long time. Kakashi got his own boss battle in this game (so far my favorite), so he's taken. Anyway, Sasuke was actually more crueler in here than anything. Some way...I kind of miss this Sasuke. I like he really felt psycho. Maybe it's the game fault but who knows. Besides, NS save still got the win with Sakura smiling at Naruto for thanking him.
Btw, looks like I might be right, but "both of us will die" line really startled Sakura. In fact, when you talk to her in the end of the mission, she wanted to talk to you about that line but she couldn't, so she said "never mind". I do believe that line will return again once Naruto gets ready to fight Sasuke. I think that moment can make NS 98% canon for sure. 2% is Naruto's confession.
You have a point. But still, I really hate SasuSaku, so naturally I don't take well to seeing fanservice of it, even when it doesn't mean anything in the grand scheme of things. It's my hateship so what can you do?

Yeah, I saw the T7 theme in the big picture but ... SS.

Yes, Sasuke was very cruel to Sakura, I was actually surprised. Just reinforcing all the more how much he's changed.
What I find so hilarious is how in this game, Naruto & Sakura spent time together in side missions a few times post-confession. And they actually act
natural. It's just funny to me because I really can't get how they could be like that without awkwardness, given what happened between them in the Land of Iron. Naruto would
never bring up her confession and pretend it never happened, given his character. But really: that would be such a massive elephant in the room to the point it'd suffocate them. I think that's also why they've been separated. Confession still needs offical resolution from Sakura, not Sai. I see it being brought up again later in the manga.
Definitely. That "Both of us will die" line is not something Sakura would ignore, she
will mention it later I know this for a fact. She's a lot more worried about it then she can admit. It's bad enough to lose one, but
both boys would be too much for Sakura.