Sakura has matured and has definately improved. It wasn’t Chiyo that did everything if you’ve noticed. She commented on Sakura can dodge Sasori’s attack and how she can read movements easily. So what if Chiyo did control her movements? Sakura was the one who had the strength and whatnot. And plus, it was only for half the time. She really has improved. Sure, she was irritating in post-time skip but she isn’t anymore. She doesn’t fangirl, in case you haven’t noticed, she actually tried to hurt Sasuke. As everyone know, she had perfect chakra control, something that is rarely found in ninja.

You don’t think that Sakura’s healing skills are good? So what if she healed a sub-character. Does it matter if she heals a sub or main character? It really doesn’t. She healed Kankurou when no one else could! God you people aggravate me. Yes you Lupus! She tops Sunagakure’s top medic. Thats incredible for for her age! God, people really do underestimate her. I don’t know how people find her weak?

I’ll admit, she isn’t my favourite kunoichi, Tenten is but I’m pretty sure that Sakura can beat all the kunoichi at her age and some males of Konoha 12. Do you think you’re better than her? She took the hit for Chiyo. That takes a lot of courage to do. She is admirable. The fact that you hate Sakura’s personality means that you would also hate Tsunade’s personality. Sakura’s and Tsunade’s personality are very similar. Thats something that many people said alright. But you probably don’t hate Tsunade I’m pretty much guessing.

As a result Sakura is relegated to the “support” position which, don’t get me wrong, is an important position. She is the psuedo-talented ninja who knows very little comparatively to all the people around her so her questions are justifications for extended explanations on just what is going on. When you really think about it this makes sense, she is just a normal ninja compared to all of the other named characters their age. The only one I could conceivably see her beating is Hinata and even that is iffy based on their combat styles.

Thinking about it though you can judge just how strong people are based on what they can do. When you really consider it there are VERY few characters in the series who have actually invented jutsu. The list goes Sannin, Akatsuki, Kage, and Kakashi. Even Naruto and Sasuke have failed to invent jutsu so much as adapt ones. Which brings us to the second tier. Those who have creatively adapted jutsu to fit their fighting style. Naruto, Sasuke, Shikamaru, and Neji. After that the rest of the characters are just solid in their specializations and have strong family jutsu to fall back on. Sakura doesn’t even fit into this category.

I’ll give it to her that she did, in fact, destroy the Kazekage puppet completely of her own talent but as to her participation in the rest of the Sasori fight (that being the one in which she played the greatest role over the course of the series) she was used more akin to a weapon than an actual member of the battle. Something Chiyo could swing around and destroy Sasori’s weaponry with, not unlike a big hammer. Past punching the puppet (a matter of deception over actual skill which Sakura has actually shown herself to be capable of in the past *Sound nin fight*) her role was completely supportive in healing, shielding, and otherwise being controlled to do everything else.

Whatever her original role Sakura’s position has obviously been somewhat skewed by Kishimoto’s plot changes as the story evolved. Whether she was supposed to end up turning to Naruto or not is unclear but if so then Hinata has more than sufficiently filled this role and in a greatly more likable manner if you ask me. Instead however, she unreasonably loves Sasuke, who attempted to kill her in the past (and would have succeeded were it not for Yamamoto taking the hit). You can say that her reactions are realistic and you would be right but baring in mind that these people are shinobi this is simply insufficient. Selfish love, ineptitude, and weak-heartedness are all realistic and even appreciable traits but compared to her peers this just shows that Sakura is extremely deficient in terms of willpower. Again, something that could be well-used were she not always supposed to be following supergeniuses and badasses of Naruto’s ilk against terrifying and powerful enemies like the Akatsuki.

In the end I can see Kishimoto keeping her around for a singular purpose. Since he can’t seem to develop her in any particular manner he may end up killing her off to cause conflict for Naruto and/or Sasuke and even as a new character motivation. Unfortunate given where she started. Her original concept was unique but Kishimoto sort of left her to decay while developing other things. I can’t really appreciate her advancement over the timeskip. Sure she’s more mature, everyone is. For a character who was getting damn near zanny toward the end as I can only imagine Kishimoto was trying to do to keep her at least entertaining in some manner, it kind of only hurts her.

She still cries a lot and yes, I know you fans don’t think its at completely unnecessary points but think about it. Hell, look at the four page spread put up in the original post. It’s been THREE YEARS. Think about that kind of time in your life. That is sufficient time to let most relationships dissolve into nonexistence. The characters bonds are indeed stronger than simple friendship but you’d think she would have at least resolved to stop crying and work toward getting Sasuke back like Naruto.

Oh, and to this

“Don’t mess with us Sakura fans, you see you get your ass whooped.
We’re just as strong as Sakura, mind you.”

All I can say is I’m not sure which of the three ways I thought of interpreting this is the most entertaining.

1. Do you think that just because you’re a fan of someone that makes you as great as them?
2. What does that say about Sakura as a ninja if an otaku can become as mighty as her, even socially or mentally?
3. Am I to understand that you can punch holes in concrete or that you also chase after murderers with romantic notions filling your head and weep when they reject you?

One can cry for all he or she wants as it is only water flowing down the cheeks from the eyes but he or she is doing something to help… try, try anything to help!

1. Naruto trained with Jaraiya to complete the promise he made to SAKURA.

2. She matured over the 2.5 years, And she doesnt yell Sasuke-kun every 10 seconds anymore.

3. She’s very useful, she has medical jutsu and she has a shitload of power when she needs it.

4. She doesnt cry unless naruto is really hurt.

And if you dont like Sakura, then who give’s a rat’s ass, keep it to yourself, for every person who hates Sakura, There’s 2 that like her.