Narutos confession is definitely necessary and will definitely have an impact.
The point isnt whether Sakura knows that Naruto loves her or not - Sais conversation with Sakura was never meant to be Narutos confession by proxy how could it be when all it focused on was negatives? Sai told her that Naruto loves her in order to make her see how her actions (and inaction) had a detrimental effect on him. Sakura also realized at this time that she had broken Narutos heart when she asked him to bring back Sasuke, just as surely as Sasuke had broken hers when he left. Hence, the gross sobbing on Sakuras part in response.
Neither that conversation with Sai, nor the events at the summit, did anything to address Sakuras feelings of inadequacy when it comes to how she perceives her own treatment of Naruto:
In fact, it only added to it and made it worse:
These two thoughts are definitely untrue Sakura cant see how much of a positive impact she has had on Narutos life, how much she means to Naruto.
I actually think Sakura might even be in doubt that Naruto actually still loves her after his reaction to her fake confession at the summit why else would she say to him, If you dont like me anymore, then just say so!. This could also be why she looked so hurt after Naruto told her he hated people who lie to themselves. It took courage for Sakura to put herself out like that to Naruto, whether or not she was being honest with herself, and I think her self confidence in regards to her romantic appeal took a significant hit.
So for Naruto to tell her directly that he loves her, that he values her over others, how much she means to him and how much shes helped him would have a huge impact on Sakuras character, imo. She would gain a great deal of self-confidence, worth, and happiness as well from knowing that she was able to help Naruto and be there for him, that she is loved and cherished and accepted 100% for just who she is. Instead of a negative impact on Sakura, it would serve to make her happier, completely content in herself and who she is.
It would also impact Narutos character, for him to be able to open up and tell Sakura that he loves her would be a significant weight off of his chest. Even if the other person knows, it feels amazing to finally let things out that you have kept bottled up for years.
A simple forehead kiss/compliment alone would not accomplish all of the above, not even by half - at least, in my opinion.
I think Kishi is keeping it hidden much in the same vein he keeps cutting off Sakura anytime her feelings for Naruto are actually brought up. There's just no sense in continuously cutting off that train of thought/conversation unless Kishimoto was intentionally building up to a reveal later on - and seriously, does anyone think the reveal is going to be that Sakura thinks of Naruto as her bestest most platonic friend ever?
1. A reader can point out as many superficial similarities as they can find; it does not make a bit of difference until Kishimoto himself actually confirms there is supposed to be a similiarity - in which case, a parallel can actually be confirmed. Hinata has never been compared to Minato in the manga ever - no one has said or thought that she reminds them of Minato, nor has she ever been drawn with Minato's image layed on top of or behind her.
2. The Hinata = Minato parallel is irrelevant to begin with, because the foreshadowing was in regards to a girl like Kushina, not like a girl like Minato.
3. I guess Kakashi is a parallel to Minato as well, since Obito similarly mentally attacked Kakashi as well, and Naruto defended him just as aggresively. KakaNaru for the win! 
4. Because bumping fists is totally the same as hand holding! KillerBee parallels Minato too! KillerBee x Naruto for the win! Though the level of romantic intent on Naruto's part is the same in all three scenes, so I guess it does work.
In all honesty, Naruto and Hinata's relationship most strongly reminds me of Naruto and Gaara's - Naruto saved both of them from going down the wrong path, he held both of their hands (held/shook, same difference), he smiled at both of them, he wanted to save/protect both of them, and he's cried over both. Not to mention Naruto and Gaara also got a third party comment in the war ("You two make a good pair") and Gaara has been equally as protective of Naruto in this war as Hinata as. Only Naruto and Gaara's relationship has even more physical contact than Naruto and Hinata's, what with the placing hands on each other's shoulders as well. Not to mention, Naruto actually blushed when Gaara first tried to shake Naruto's hand.
This - a thousand times this!
The problem isnt just that kushinat didnt say find someone like your father. If hinata really was like minato then that lunatic14's post would atleast be manga evidence, but the real problem is tjat hinata is absolutely nothing like minato andthe manga is here to back my logic up.
Sakura is the kushina, tsunade, mito and rin of this generstion (if you wanna go conpsting a girl to minato that would be sakura)
Naruto is the minato, jiraya, hashirama and good obito of this generation.
Sasuke doesnt really fit in the parallelism. Hes sorts the orochimaru, sorta the madara. But different nevertheless.
@Dkey
Well if you think about it minakushi is based off of narusaku. Naruto and sakura have the same personality but sakura is a bit more reserved than naruto, but then again she has a fiery personality like kushina and like naruto and also tsunade. So minato and kushina being similar is actually legit. Sakura has similar traits to minato only a bit. But shes a carbon copy of kushina, with a bit of tsunade, rin and maybe even mito. We already know about naruto.
Edited by Canadian_DJ, 21 August 2013 - 12:33 PM.
....and hiw exactly does this make hinata like minato? NOTHING!!! 
) 
