My Top 15 Narusaku Moments
I never expected to like NaruSaku. When I first started reading the series, I was aware of the fandomās big pairings (NaruSasu, Sasusaku, Naruhina) and I assumed they were the ones Iād enjoy. But reading the series, slowly, bit by bit, scene by scene, NaruSaku won me over, to become one of my favorite anime pairings. Iām sad they didnāt get together, but I still love the scenes they share, and reading fanfics and doujinshis about what could have been. Hope you enjoy this top 15 moments list!
#15. Ramen Stand Feeding Scene
What Happens: Naruto is injured and Sakura offers to feed him. He gets excited about this prospect, but theyāre interrupted by Sai.
Why I like it: Itās this moment of intimacy between the two - kind of simple, but I like how Sakura initiates it and he blushes and accepts. Sakura is someone who likes taking care of other people, and Naruto is someoneĀ who has never been cared for like this. They seem like a pretty perfect match.
#14. The Promise of a Lifetime
What Happens: Sakura asks Naruto to please bring Sasuke home. Naruto promises to do it, and this motivates him throughout the Retrieval Arc. Possibly much of the rest of the series.
Why I like it: It is not Sakuraās best move for sure, but itās a sign of Naruto willingly putting her needs above his own, with no hope of her ever returning his feelings. Itās such a sweet moment of his promising her to bring Sasuke back, and seems to identify retrieving Sasuke as the barrier to them being together. I think he refuses to try and be with her until the end (or would have) because he wants her to choose him for him, not because Sasuke wasnāt available.Ā
What Happens: When answering the 10th question, Sakura isnāt sure if Naruto can pass, and is willing to throw away their chance this year to protect his dream of becoming Hokage. His resolve, however, inspires her to keep moving forward.
Why I like it: Sakura was willing to throw away her shot to protect Narutoās dream. Narutoās willpower inspires her to move forward, and later in this arc to cut off her hair and beat up the villains to protect him. They have such a mutually reciprocal bond. (Also, he liked her short hair, while Sasuke was said to like long hair. Symbolism much?)
What Happens: Naruto, disguised as Sasuke, flirts with Sakura. She confesses her feelings and he realizes why he likes her so much.
Why I like it: Just as Sakura is feeling insecure about herĀ ālarge foreheadā, Naruto comes along and tells her he finds it charming and wants to kiss it. Heās attracted to the very feature sheās ashamed of. He likes even the parts of her she doesnāt like. And he empathizes with her need for belonging.Ā
What Happens: Naruto finds the strength to defeat Gaara while fighting to protect Sakura.
Why I Like it: Got a real soft spot for characters finding their strength protecting their love interest. Here, Naruto is able to call upon strength he hadnāt known before and fight Gaara to keep Sakura safe.
What Happens: To stop Naruto from dying for his promise, after hearing from Sai that he loves her, Sakura takes him aside and tells him she loves him. He believes sheās lying and shuts her down.Ā
Why I like it: Honestly, even though the story tells me her confession was fake, her blush and sheepish body language, along with all her attraction to and behavior towards him before this, convinces me this was real. But since itās officially not, Iām ranking it a little lower. Still, itās a full blownĀ āI love youā, hard not to enjoy that. And I think she does love him, platonically or not.Ā
What Happens: During the Chunin Exams, Naruto and Sakura both yell out their support to each other during their matches.
Why I Like it: Sakuraās able to beat Ino because Naruto supports her. Nobody at the time believes in Naruto to win, except for Sakura, who cheers him on. Theyāve got each otherās backs.
What Happens: Minato sees Sakura healing Naruto and asks if sheās his GF. He says kinda and she doesnāt deny it. He says she reminds him of Kushina.
Why I like it: Naruto and Sakura donāt deny that theyāre dating when asked. Minato notices that sheās similar to Kushina (since Naru wasnāt raised by Kushina, this doesnāt even have the potentially creepyĀ āwants momā aspect). Instead itās justĀ āthis girl could make my son a good wifeā. Itās really cute.Ā
What Happens: Naruto and Sakura reunite after a few years apart. Theyāre all grown up now. She blushes at him and he tells her she doesnāt look different.
Why I like it: Sakura finds him attractive now that theyāre all grown up. Heās always found her pretty, so he says she looks the same. I wouldnāt be into the pairing if it didnāt seem like she was attracted to him too, but she clearly is right here. Itās great.Ā
What happens: As Sakura is healing Naruto, Iruka says the above rather ambiguous line, hinting that he was about toĀ āyou love himā or something similar.
Why I like it: Thereās some very well-placed ambiguity here, gently implying that Sakuraās feelings for Naruto are not platonic any more, or at the very least extremely powerful.Ā
What Happens: After training for a while to impress Sakura, Naruto happens on Haku, who asks him if he hasĀ āsomeone preciousā that heās training for. He realizes he does.
Why I like it: This entire arc is so focused on how having someone in your life you care about is key to success in life (also the whole series). For Naruto, this is Team 7, predominantly Sakura at this point. SheāsĀ āsomeone preciousā to him. (I also enjoy her helping him complete the task, and him complementing her strength. Itās sweet).
#4. Heaven and earth scrolls
What Happens: Iruka explains how Naruto has theĀ āearthā scroll and Sakura theĀ āheavenā scroll. They basically complete each other.
Why I Like it: I love pairings that are able to complete each other and encourage the other to do their best. This seems to be saying that Naruto and Sakura are two halves of the same whole and will make each other better together than they would be apart.
What happens: As Naruto is dying, Sakura in a desperate mood and determined to save him gives him CPR and pumps his heart back to life.
Why I like it: She proclaims that she wants him to achieve his dreams and pumps his heart until he revives. She literally holds his heart in her hand and presses her lips to his. She makes his dreams come true.
#2. Heaven and earth Bridge
What happens: Naruto goes out of control with worry over Sasuke. Sakura, feeling like this is her fault, runs over to him and is accidentally injured by Kyuubi. Later on, she lies to Naruto to make him feel better, but when he learns that he hurt her he resolves to try harder to control himself.
Why I like it: Itās a great scene of concern on her part for him, and it showcases his concern for her. I also enjoy the bit where he compliments her for her medical prowess and strength, but flubs it up by calling itĀ āmonstrousā.
What Happens: During the Pain Invasion, Sakura is desperate and calls out for Naruto. Once he saves the village, she goes up to him and hugs him (post tsundere moment) and thanks him.
Why I love it: Itās just sweet and simple. It feels like in this moment she really chooses to be with him, and shows her appreciation for him. He looks so happy and surprised at finally being hugged by the girl he likes, and itās very pure. Even Hinata smiled at it, she seemed happy. I enjoyed it so much and it makes me smile.
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