The face after Hinata's speech is valid I believe. Kishimoto specifically focused on Sakura during this moment. That fact alone is proof, and the fact it was a particularly small panel can be taken as it's something that leads to an event that will readdress it later. However, I doubt it will be used for drama purposes like in a shojo manga, but will be used to address Sakura's feelings when the time comes.
Lol, I'm reminded of the same thing. I wished the producers showed it in the anime, but I understand why not.
Hm, i am very very curious about it , not only her face expresses shock but a bit of uncomfort if you ask me, she was speechless . It makes me wonder if she was doubtful at that moment if Naruto doesn't feel the same way any more about her , i mean with the ''fake'' confession and all . She got the '' i hate people who lie to themselves'' phrase when her feelings were touched enough to make her angry and ask the following ; ''if you don't like me , just say so !'' . So , that moment not only was made to give Hinata a chance to ''shine'' , but it was also a ''slap'' to Sakura , NH fans wanted her to suffer and get jealous , well i think they got their wish .
Dunno, maybe it was too perverted . ^_^
She hugged him as a deep acknowledgement, it's just another of those scenes that leads to nothing, like Yamato's arc, it was so obvious due to the crowd reaction that was some kind of romance in the air, but Sakura didnt perceived that, that was the problem, it become a moment where the villagers acknowledged Naruto and the symbolism of Naruto receiving this acknowledgement in the form of a hug from his love interest, which makes the scene beautifull, Naruto being acknowledged by his love interest as a hero of the village.
Neither Naruto perceived how deep Sakura worries and cares about him, neither Sakura perceived her feelings for Naruto because on a matter of two chapters she was pratically confirmed her love for Sasuke(once again) when the kumo ninja asked her what Sasuke is to her.
I feel that the only moment when Kishimoto stopped giving scenes like those was when he decided to reveal Naruto's feelings to Sakura, after that summit everything changed, Sakura does know about Naruto's feeligns and she's confronting her feelings for the other guy.
The romance subplot is leading to the conclusion aswell.
But she acknowledged him already back in part 1 , i mean '' Only you can save Sasuke, Naruto, only you!'' Also she cried out his name after the leaf was leveled to the ground , which means she trusts not just his abilities , but anticipates that he is fully trained to stop the evil in his tracks .
Yes, it lead to nothing , which was kind of confusing , why did Kishi did that ? Sure, more development and she to face her feelings for Sasuke , but it is still very strange . Although , we saw that Naruto wasn't the only one to change her , her growth lingers on Sasuke too .
I always wondered why Kishimoto made Sakura hug Naruto in chapter 450. If you think about it, that would have been the perfect chance to develop Naruhina if he really wanted to go for that route.
I'll be honest, I was prepared for a massive NH moment back then, after reading everywhere comments like "OMG NH iz gonna be canon!!!!1 Naruto's gonna give her the bouquet! Aww" but damn, I definitely didn't expect such epic trollage!
O_O? They believed that ? Well , now i see everything ......
You know what I find amusing?
Even in real life, a boy and a girl who fight like Naruto and Sakura usually end up together anyway
You got a strong point there , buddy ^_^.
I never liked her character even when i wasnt a shipper, i disliked her character concept, i dont know why she has this popularity, she doesnt have any appeal.
But even since when i wasnt a shipper i never found a chemistry on Naruto and Hinata, there's no chemistry on them they simply dont match up or compliment each other.
A lot some people like big titties 
. And of course people have read not enough manga's or watched anime that's why a big part supports HInata and hate SAkura , because they don't know the first thing about Tsundere or Yandere .
It seems i got a nice topic to discuss ^_^, i'll be sure to seek for more .
Edited by Psychox, 07 September 2013 - 03:01 PM.
Yep, i agree it makes no kittening sense ... Just the answer to prolong the pairing drama , i guess 
.
, what i meant was change , change of her feelings Kage summit ,540 and 635 had a strong emphasize on it . Him ''showing'' her what exactly is he and that is not the ''prince charming '' she thought he was making her dreams come true by saying '' Nice forehead , i want to munch it '' 
