The majority of NaruSaku moments were directly influenced by Sasuke and POAL.
- The POAL revolved around Sasuke as a central character.
- Naruto's four-tailed transformation was triggered by Sasuke, causing guilt in Sakura because of the POAL.
- During their hospital visit, Naruto once again brings up Sasuke, mentioning their shared goal of catching up to him. This inspires Sakura to help Naruto later by feeding him.
Naruto mentions POAL as a condition for confessing to Sakura.
Finally, Sakura's confession, fueled by Sai's words about the POAL and Sasuke's transformation, was an attempt to free Naruto from the POAL.
In her confession to Naruto, Sakura cites Sasuke's aloofness and unavailability as justifications, contrasting them with Naruto.
This paints her confession to Naruto as a consolation prize, offered not out of genuine love, but because of the circumstances surrounding Sasuke and Sai's guilt trip about the POAL.
The only genuine NaruSaku moments without Sasuke's name in the picture are: When Sakura considers giving up on the Chunin Exam to protect Naruto's dream. In a similar context to the CPR scene in the war, where Sakura saves Naruto with his Hokage dream in mind.
If Sasuke had returned to the village after killing Itachi without discovering the truth about the village and joined the Akatsuki, Sakura might not have had any trouble forgiving him and jumping into his arms more easily than at the end of the manga.
But let's set aside scenarios where Sasuke reciprocates Sakura's feelings or accepts her confession at the end of Part 1. Imagine a scenario where Sasuke simply remains on Team 7 throughout Part 2 treating Sakura in the same way as part 1. Essentially, Part 2 without the drama of saving Sasuke or his descent into Darkness.
Interestingly, in this scenario, Sai and Yamato were not even introduced to Team 7. They were created only due to Sasuke's absence or to replace him. Karin also doesn't exist. Sakura is the only girl Sasuke even interacts with. Would Naruto and Sakura's relationship develop in the same way with Sasuke closer to Sakura in the village during Part 2 and without any POAL, with Sakura feeling no guilt towards Naruto?
There are moments where Naruto and Sakura bond that doesn't involve Sasuke... but you either dismiss or ignore them. So why bother bringing any of them up?
As for the moments that do involve Sasuke in some way. A major part of the story is the Bond of Team 7 a goal for the main cast is to bring Sasuke back to restore that bond. So they have to talk about bringing Sasuke back to the village.
Any scenario that Sasuke does not feel guilt for how he treated Sakura and needs to atone; he will not end up with her because he isn't romantically interested in her.
Yamato was brought in because of his Wood release. Sai was Danzo pushing one of his men onto the team. It is not unreasonable to assume they would be in Team 7 due to the Akatsuki and Naruto's increase use of Kurama's power. Karin meet Sasuke in the chunin exam and fell in love with him due to him saving her from a bear. He doesn't leave the village she might just join the village. As she joined Orochimaru to follow Sasuke.
...Wait. i forgot. She can't be in love with Sasuke or he could have feeling for her, because you don't identify with her.