Posted 13 April 2010 - 01:58 AM
I agree with what has been stated in previous posts. Naruto will not allow his relationship with Sakura to progress until he has settled things with Sauske. Naruto loves her and has since the very beginning. But, he doesn't want any part of a relationship with Sakura, or becoming Hokage, if he cannot live up to his own ninja way. That's why I love this manga. Integrity is a trait that tends to be overlooked in today's world. He wants Sakura to choose him without any pressure or dramatic circumstances. If this relationship becomes cannon (and I believe that it will) I don't think that it will happen until everything is resolved for Naruto. Besides, Naruto is now on a collision course with his destiny. I don't think he will have much time for romance. Therefore, other potential love interests, like Karin or Hinata, will have little to no pannel time as well.
Sakura, however, will have plenty of time to think about what Naruto has said. He may die in the coming battle. What will she do if the only person in her life that has always been there for her is suddenly gone? Hinata might be too shy to talk to Naruto, but maybe not Sakura. When Hinata made her confession and sacrifice back in chapter 437, I believe that scene's soul purpose was to set up the scene of Sakura healing Hinata at the beginning of 442. She understands why Hinata did something so reckless and against all common sense. "Hinata loves Naruto." A NaruHina moment out of nowhere to build upon NaruSaku. Sakura's thought progression must have then lead to the question "why does she love him?" Sakura has come to understand Naruto better than anyone, and as she stated in her "confession" there are many logical reasons for loving him. The key will be her realizing that she does not love him be because she should, just as she realized that he was much more than loser with a big mouth. She loves him simply because he is Naruto, all the good and the bad. She must break down this barrier, and Hinata may be the one help bring it down. As I have said in other posts, who has observed Naruto more closely than Hinata? She must know how he feels about Sakura. She must have also observed how Sakura's pre Part 2 obsession with Sauske affected him. This is probably why she smiled at Sakura's very public display of affection in 450. Tsunade and Karin would be other potential characters to push Sakura over the edge. However, Tsunade will be preoccupied with the war and she has unwaivering faith that Naruto will become Hokage. Karin would be a good outside observer like Sai, but I don't see an enemy captive being allowed to have casual conversations with anyone. My guess would be that if Naruto begins acting strange because he does not think he will survive, Hinata may pick up on that and ask Sakura what's going on. Or, Sakura might have her own POAL moment and go to Hinata with the fact that Naruto could die. In either case, the two would have to confront reality. Hinata cares about Naruto, but she is too shy and submissive to be with someone like him. Sakura, on the other hand, completes Naruto in a way no else can. She is strong willed and can put him in his place when necessary. She is intelligent and Naruto is instinctive. They know and respect each other a great deal. Would this make Sakura turn the corner and finally come to grips with her true feelings? Maybe... but the way things are going, the phrase "you don't know what you've got till it's gone," keeps going through my mind. Naruto's death might be the key to Sakura letting all of her feelings out.
Naruto will come back though. Believe it! (Corny I know, but Kishimoto and Naruto have said it since the beginning). Finally, it will come down to Naruto accepting that Sakura has chosen him. A shy or overly sappy confession will not be genuine to Naruto coming from Sakura. I still say she will have to deck him, then kiss him, then say "get it through your thick skull, I love you, you baka." Now that is something Naruto could not deny.