I actually view this as one of my opinions with most evidence (or truthfully, lack of evidence for NS special bond) to back it up. Obviously you are right about Kishi being the final judge of that. Here's my take, if you care:
I have never seen Sakura being held in any special place above all others for Naruto in this manga. She is a very important bond and a close friend, but so are Iruka, Kakashi, Tsunade, Shikamaru, Neji, the Konoha rookies, Hinata, Gaara... It is Sasuke, and Sasuke alone, who takes the number one place of importantance for Naruto. Jiraiya was another one with who Naruto had very special bond and the one that comes closest taking the 1# spot from Sasuke. In what chapter and in what page is Sakura in any way elevated above others in importance? What is the context of those moments? Where are they? I'm sure there are possibly few moments that I can't recall now. Links?
Let me give a few examples. The movie manga chapter from this summer. Naruto and Sakura barely interact. Naruto spends moments remembering Sasuke. Kishi takes, once again, the opportunity to show SasuNaru bond. Hell, when Sasuke tries to kill Sakura, Naruto is like a father scolding his child who has eaten too many cookies before dinner. "Naughty boy, you can't do that". Little interaction with Sakura. Then it becomes all about Sasuke, Sakura and her suffering forgotten by Naruto. Sasuke is that special to Naruto that he can brush aside several other characters (Gaara, Raikage, Kakashi, Sakura) and stop to remember him even when the plot has nothing to do with Sasuke. Naruto and Sakura can't even talk to each other about their issues. Naruto told Jiraiya everything about himself and his life. To Sakura, well, Naruto can't even honestly speak about his feelings for her, not to mention that he kept secrets from her during the summit arc. Sakura, likewise, during that arc lied to Naruto. They both know about Naruto's feelings for her but are not communicating about them in any way. Naruto and Sasuke, in contrast, are portrayed with this inner understanding about each other, like there isn't even need for words between them. Naruto and Sakura's lack of communication is not like this, their lack of being honest with each other lead to the disaster of Sakura's confession and the aftermath.
I told you earlier that I didn't think that Naruto had an epic love story aside from platonic SasuNaru. That is how I feel, and it's because moments like I described above. NS is not in any way portrayed special, IMO. You NS shippers keep talking about NS special bond, but I just don't see it.
Obviously the bond with Sasuke is going to be portrayed as the strongest and most prominent in the story. You haven't forgotten that is that very bond that finds itself at the core of the story? It's one of the elements that drive the main plot.
What I see wrong with your view is that you say every bond after Sasuke as to be on the same level. Killer Bee made notice of how Iruka has a special place in Naruto's heart and yet you think Naruto only views him as important as is just any rookie.
The fact that that both Naruto and Sakura don't want to burden the other is what notably drives the plot between them. Whether they get together or not it is something that is meant to be addressed in order to have resolution between them. It might not be part of the main plot but that doesn't mean it's not an important bond.
I really don't get why you use the manga movie special as proof of anything. That was just meant to be a parallel to another scene during the movie. That movie in which they do have proper interaction and understanding of each other.
Naruto focusing on Sasuke is just how the story goes. It is what drives a huge part of the main plot. That doesn't mean he doesn't cherish Sakura. Besides, you said yourself that Sasuke is his most potent bond, so wouldn't that mean he would focus a lot on him? Just because he's that way with Sasuke doesn't diminish his care for Sakura.
That meant accepting the fact that Sakura was in love with someone else. What else Naruto could have done? "Sorry, guys, but I just realized: now that Sasuke is out of the way, my chances of getting into Sakura's pants look better than ever! Forget that damn Sasimo or whatever his name was, we are fine here!"
Naruto's selfless sacrifice was to give up something that was never his in the first place.Naruto's selfless sacrifice is not about giving up, is about making Sakura happy even if that means his feelings get hurt at the moment. Naruto is all about not giving up, you have to remember that.