What's really weird to me about the entire thing is just how hypocritical it is like in real life and weird because nothing is consistent.
Sakura hitting Naruto is consider abusive
But if a girl hits a guy in real life they say "well, he is a man. He can take it."
Surprising that they call it abuse when it comes to THIS particular scenario, but every other instance they see it as being okay even in real life standards.
Sakura and Hinata being obsessive over a guy is shown as being loyal and heartfelt in this situation even when the guy says "No" several times. No matter how many times Sasuke basically said "I don't love Sakura," they refused to accept it and constantly trying to convince him he does.
If a guy tried doing this to a girl, chances are, it would be seen as harassment. Maybe even sexual harassment. "No means No" I guess the asterisk is "unless you are a girl to a guy, then no means yes." At best, they consider the man too clingy and smothering. "You need to let her have her own space."
It is also very telling when some of these Sakura haters will bash her when you compare her to Hinata, but the moment you start saying "Sasuke and Sakura is a toxic relationship" they all of a sudden praise Sakura for being loyal and the like. It is really weird.
They will change the narrative to suit their claim.
"Sakura hitting Naruto is abusive."
But if Sakura hits Sasuke and Hinata hits Naruto then all of sudden it is them being good women and men need to accept that it is a love tap.
This is how I believe it SHOULD have played out.
During the 2 year skip, Sakura thinks about Sasuke and Naruto and has a change of heart. In the middle of training, she remembers all the times Sasuke is mean to her and she remembers all the time Naruto supported her. It may not be her automatically changing her love, but it was a beginning.
After the timeskip, Naruto and Sakura meet again and Sakura start feelings flustered around Naruto and being that typical tsundere tendencies. Naruto grow ups a little, but still retains that quirkiness that everyone loves. However, when things get serious Naruto becomes grown up. I think Naruto needed to have this. Show his sexy side to him of being this strong man. (Many women love a man who is willing to be stern when it is necessary. Especially when it is sticking up for themselves and others.)
After the series of events where Naruto's feelings seem ambiguous and at times Sakura's as well; showing the signs of changed feelings. You then come to the Pein Arc when BOTH Sakura and Hinata jump into the save Naruto. They try pulling out the poles, but they can't touch them or something. Can even have Sakura and Hinata sucker punch Pein and knock him aside and daze him.
Hinata and Sakura try to pull out the rods, but can't and even try to break them, but can't.
Pein gets back up and Naruto tells them both to run.
Sakura says they are not leaving him and Hinata confers.
Pein walks towards them and says "Well, I see you brought your fan club to join in too."
Naruto begs Pein to not do anything, but Sakura and Hinata are willing to fight. Naruto asks why they are doing this and Hinata replied "Because I love you Naruto." Sakura looks surprised and is speechless, but is instantly interrupted when Pain grabs both using his Almighty push and then has them both by the neck. Like any good villain tells Naruto to make a choice: His best friend or his fangirl." Eventually Pein just says "Fine" and stabs both through the chest or stomach and tosses them aside.
Naruto loses it and goes into Kurama mode and they do their fight. In the middle of it all Sakura heals herself and then heals Hinata thinking of Hinata's confession and then proceeds to self-deprecate. Business as usual same story plot, Naruto comes back Sakura hugs him.
Fast forward and you get to the point of Sai and what he thinks and everything...and he tells Sakura that he loves her and that he is tired of all the drama and such. Then you get to Sakura going to Naruto in the land of Iron, but instead of confession she gets angry with him and tells him to leave her alone. Even saying "Go be with your girlfriend, Hinata, if you like her so much." It was all a ploy and she just wanted to take out Sasuke so Naruto could have a happy life. (Love makes you do stupid things.)
Events unfold as selected and then you get to Minato coming back and Naruto being healed by Sakura.
Minato: "Hello son, I hope I didn't make you wait too long."
Naruto: "Nah, you are right on time."
Minato: "And who is this? Are you my son's special friend?"
Naruto: "Well, she is a girl that I am love with..."
Sakura gets embaressed and hits him
Sakura: "Shut up."
Naruto: "Ow, why did you so that for? That's hurt."
Sakura: "I'll heal that too. You shouldn't be lying to your dad like that."
Naruto: "I wasn't lying. I am still in love with you..."
Sakura *blushes* and hides her face.* "Stop saying stupid things, idiot."
Minato smiles and laughs saying to himself: "Reminds me of the good ole times, eh Kushina? She's just like you were." says in actual. "Take care of my son, okay?"
Move forward again and you have Naruto die and Sakura brings him back. Naruto says "I have to end all of this. Right here and right now. If I don't it will never stop."
Sakura: "Naruto"
Naruto turns around and she grabs and kisses him. She then says "When this is all over...we can go on that date. So make sure you come back okay?" Naruto smiles and goes on to fight Kaguya. Then Kakashi and Sakura team up with Obito and have this awesome team fight of everyone coming together.
No Sakura begging for Sasuke. In fact, quite the opposite. Sakura stands up and tells Sasuke that he can still come back, but he needs to stop right now or he will have to go through her first. Sasuke laughs a wicked grin and says: "Okay then..." and then knocks her out. Naruto kind of panics, but Kakashi sais she was fine and to defeat Sasuke.
That's how it COULD have been done and it would have been great