As other's have said and echoed: Sakura's confession wasn't a lie. She did have feelings for Naruto, that of more than a friend, but she didn't 100% understand them as yet.
Rather, Sakura was more focused on Naruto's well being and what
she thought would be the best decision for him while ignoring her own. She was not thinking about Sasuke at all during that time, she was thinking about him. And she still went to try and kill Sasuke herself afterwards, still determined even after what Naruto said to her, in front of their friends. He basically told her that he hated her in that instant---words that I thought he'd mull over and maybe regret telling her---
, but she still was willing to make the sacrifice.
Sakura's intentions was good, but she went about it in not the best way. Though, I've always wondered how she felt during that confrontation, if she had regrets afterwards and so on.
While this situation was the most frustrating thing regarding this pairing, I then saw this as a good opportunity to strengthen their relationship to something much more meaningful (no mud, no lotus),
if it was brought up and expanded on, especially after Sasuke came home. But it wasn't. It was left up in the air, never returned to. NS would not have felt completed to me if this scene wasn't revisited, even if they'd ended up being canon.
So I agree, that was pretty bad decision in the romance department to just leave this alone as is, but that sentiment is affiliated with Kishimoto & Co. I honestly shouldn't have put too much hope in him during the time, had I known this. Because why say "I love you" out of the blue, whether or not it was a lie, and not bring it up again? This moment
needed to be talked about again cause it's too heavy to be ignored. This had massive potential to it, good drama that I'd be woke for, but nah, so be it.
Edited by gamma, 02 October 2017 - 12:51 PM.