[POW]

Originally Posted by Rlinfamous

I personally think Sakura is above Hinata in combat power... Hinata can do some things on her own, for sure, but Sakura IS the disciple of Tsunade, and we've seen her perform quite well against Sasori.

Yea that is obvious by looking at the stats in the databook! Actually Stat wise Sakura has the the highest total skill level of all the girls.

Sakura = 26
Temari = 24.5
Hinata = 21.5
Ino = 21
TenTen = 20.5

[Rlinfamous]

Yeah, thanks for closure on that. People tend to underestimate Sakura due to her lack of variation in attacks.

[bLhuez]

Let me ask everyone here. Why do you want Sakura / Hinata for Naruto? or to simplify it. What do you like about Sakura / Hinata?

Well, I just want to know other people's thought.

[Rlinfamous]

I've liked how, throughout Part Two (especially early Part Two when she was around more), Sakura was the one who could look out for and was sensitive to Naruto's feelings, and also was the one who could stand up for him or control his impulsiveness. I liked the relationship between them up through the arc where Sai was introduced. After that, the action was more fast-paced, breaks and character development were fewer, and Sakura was seen less. But I think she provided a good presence, particularly when interacting with Naruto, during her scenes.

In 469, Sakura was the impulsive one, and Naruto was the one who understood her. He's protecting her from hurting herself, and essentially has reversed the roles. However, I think Sakura will realize from this that it's always been that way, and that Naruto has always understood her better than she understands him.

I also actually like the comedy duo scenes they have. I wouldn't expect her to continue to punch him for asking her out on dates, but I wouldn't mind more comedy scenes were Naruto and Konohamaru compete sexy jutsu transformations (that sounds so wrong) and Sakura punches them. I thought it was hilarious when Sakura also was weak against it. In fact, that scene highlights my next point:

Sakura is a lot like Naruto. In Part One, we constantly saw Sakura frowning upon Naruto's antics outwardly, while the "inner Sakura" enjoyed them, too. Oftentimes Naruto would say something, and Inner Sakura would agree wholeheartedly. What is more, she's motivated by many of the same desires as Naruto.

In fact, I think a lot of the search for Sasuke has reversed its purpose. I think it's become more for Naruto than for Sakura, and Sakura's more concerned about helping Naruto and ensuring his safety than she is about bringing Sasuke back. Even if she still has feelings for Sasuke, she's becoming more and more focused on Naruto.

Part of what makes me favor Sakura and Naruto's relationship is that it's developing. It's not pre-decided (like Sakura/Sasuke or Naruto/Hinata). The characters initially had a lot of growing up to do, and they're growing closer as they do. Naruto has recently grown up a lot after losing Jiraiya and facing Pain, and, if Sakura grows up more from him turning her down, it'll bring them even closer.

Even her half-assed confession is progress in their relationship. Nothing gets done if neither of them is honest with the other. It's like Courage Wolf says, "Even if you fall flat on your face, you're still moving forward." For that reason, I don't consider Sakura out of the picture just yet.

There are plenty of things I like about Hinata, and wouldn't mind seeing her with Naruto. I just like Sakura better, have major problems with Sasuke, and, for the reasons I listed above, prefer Sakura for Naruto.

[godlike13]

Originally Posted by Rlinfamous

I also actually like the comedy duo scenes they have. I wouldn't expect her to continue to punch him for asking her out on dates, but I wouldn't mind more comedy scenes were Naruto and Konohamaru compete sexy jutsu transformations (that sounds so wrong) and Sakura punches them. I thought it was hilarious when Sakura also was weak against it. In fact, that scene highlights my next point:

I like those too.

[paulbee]

My experiences with Manga have mostly been from Naruto and Bleach. I've also read Claymore, D-Gray man, and FMA.

Perhaps it is this pausity of experience that is the reason why I have not come to appreciate what others deem as comedy so well. I also have had a rather difficult time accepting the verbal and physical abuse Sakura has dished out to Naruto. I don't see abuse as a triffle matter and I'd prefer that Mangakas not treat it as such.

To my view, Sakura may have changed from the proud and haughty "princess" who looked down on Naruto. Even if that were so, I see no reason why Naruto's future needs to be tied to Sakura. Just what is it about Sakura that demands that Naruto must end up as her mate anyway? This I fail to see.

To me Hinata just happens to be a plausible alternative. Not only that, she has always ever only treated Naruto with kindness and consideration. Why must the Star of the Manga go back to his former Crush who verbally and physically abused him, when he has all the eligible women in Naruto land as alternatives.

For me Sakura was a childhood crush, is now a friend. I'd prefer Naruto to be his own man who is not emotionally dependent on approval and acceptance from Sakura. To me Sakura's recent comments and "Confession" indicates that she has not fully recognized his manhood and his growth. I guess I have always been someone who takes himself seriously and insists on others treating me seriously, perhaps that is how I prefer Naruto to be seen.

[afro thunda]

Originally Posted by bLhuez

Let me ask everyone here. Why do you want Sakura / Hinata for Naruto? or to simplify it. What do you like about Sakura / Hinata?

Well, I just want to know other people's thought.

Its very simple (for me). Sakura and Hinata are the only ones who have been shown as potential love interests to Naruto throughout the story. So their the only ones I discuss when it comes to a possible pairing in the story

@Paulbee

You could say that Naruto has never taken Sakura's verbal and physical abuse seriously and that's why he continues to pursue her.

[paulbee]

Originally Posted by afro thunda

@Paulbee

You could say that Naruto has never taken Sakura's verbal and physical abuse seriously and that's why he continues to pursue her.

That could be :

a) In the spirit of Manga tradition

b) Because it was really harmless

c) Or because Naruto was too much of a BAKA, without self-pride to notice the abuse.

Not sure which.

[jmbrosendo]

We never see Naruto emotionally hurt when Sakura hits him. I think mainly because He deserves most of them. The exageration of the force is, we all can agree on it, for comic relief.

It was in the moments (in the late past), when Sakura talked of how great Sasuke was, or confessed what She thinks about Naruto, or when Naruto came to grips She loved Sasuke very much (again, very distant past)....it is in this type of moments we see him getting hurt emotionally. I usually discount the times Naruto says or acts like a fool and Sakura hits him hard.

It was the times when Sakura acted very selfishly, towards Naruto that made my hairs jump, to be honest.

I like reciprocity in a relationship, and frankly, so far, besides healing Naruto when He went Four-tails against Orochimaru, I can't spot anything of significance Sakura has done for him. Nothing that makes me say, blatantly, She deserves Naruto. Can be wrong.

[Rlinfamous]

Originally Posted by paulbee

That could be :

a) In the spirit of Manga tradition

b) Because it was really harmless

c) Or because Naruto was too much of a BAKA, without self-pride to notice the abuse.

Not sure which.

It's just a trend in Shounen manga. Chichi in Dragonball, Nami in One Piece, Kaoru in Kenshin, Naru in Love Hina, Asuna in Negima, Kagome in Inuyasha (SIT!), Winry in FMA (beats him bloody with a wrench), etc.

In almost every case, the heroine (especially the tsundere archtype ones) "beats up" the hero for reasons ranging from sexual advances to simple acts of idiocy.