i doubt he's actually gone... i don't even think neji would have been killed if naruto didn't need to fall for hinata
Remember according to Derock, Neji was originally killed because someone that ran SP's online accounts would not stop whining about how much he hated him and needed to die.
Again, this boy was popular as far as I know, so rating boost? Also I think they were kinda limited on who they could kill for dramatic super mode awakening. Nail, Bolt, Cups, and Salad are in theory the main cast. The Clone is SP's character and they would have a fit. Fat Filler is Black, so someone could easily tell them Westerners would have a hissy fit over that. Shikamaru's son could have some impact since Shikamaru has been around throughout the entire story. Granted, Ino has also been in the story and is one of the few characters Ikemoto seems to care about; her morning over her dead son could be her 'oscar moment'. And there isn't really anyone else. So, he has enough importance to be known in order to have impact when he dies, but not really affecting the plot with his lost. The ideal sacrificial character.