Sakura Haruno of Naruto is a divisive character among anime fans, but regardless of the opinion, the fact is that she's a pivotal part of the show. Many see her as useless or weak while others say that her character lacked good writing and development through no fault of her own
Sakura's defenders also point out her significant moments in the narrative where her growth receives attention and contributes positively to the heroes' objective. While her times to shine are not as numerous as the other members of Team 7, they still exist and show that Sakura can be an impressively strong and admirable character in her own right.
10 The Forest Of Death Marks Several Notable Developments
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Up until this stage of the Chunin Exams, Sakura stays on the sidelines, but the Forest of Death occurs when Naruto and Sasuke are comatose. After Sound examinees target Team 7, Sakura first holds them off on her own before Rock Lee and Team 10 arrive.
Throwing kunai, the Substitution Jutsu, and enduring hits are standard skills and lack uniqueness that nevertheless highlight Sakura's resilience and willpower. Her haircut is another standout moment where she prioritizes her teammates' safety over vanity. Finally, Sakura is able to pull Sasuke back from the edge when his Cursed Seal nearly takes him over.
9 She Stands Up To Ino & Regains Her Respect
Ino and Sakura's history prior to the story is one of friends-turned-enemies over their mutual crush Sasuke. When they're selected to fight each other in the Chunin Exams match, Sakura shows how she regards her kuniochi status by wearing her forehead protector properly and challenging Ino to come at her full strength.
The ensuing battle is raw and violent, with neither gaining the advantage. Luckily, Sakura's inner voice helps her overcome Ino's Mind Body Transfer Jutsu before the two mutually knock each other out. Although the battle finishes in a draw and neither kunoichi advances, Sakura once again proves her determination and potential. They even rekindle their bond.
8 The Land of Snow Gives Her A Chance To Show Her Ingenuity
Naruto: Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow is considered a non-canon filler film that occurs between episodes 101 and 102 of the first Naruto series. Even so, Sakura proves herself a reliable partner to Sasuke when they face off against Doto Kazahana's rogue ninja in the woods, as evidenced when she accurately helps him time his attacks.
Sakura also reveals her own uniquely modified jutsu: Sakura Blizzard Technique. She unleashes a collection of kunai attached to pink explosive bags disguised as her namesake's pink blossoms. Then she throws a single kunai that detonates all of them, ideally catching the target off guard with the explosion.
7 She Displays Her Strength In The Second Bell Test
After the two and a half year time skip, Naruto and Sakura regroup as the remainder of Team 7 and must once again pass Kakashi's Bell Test. This time, Sakura and Naruto demonstrate much more skill and strategy due to their tutelage under their respective teachers Tsunade and Jiraiya.
Sakura is particularly intimidating with her chakra-infused punch opening up the ground to expose Kakashi's hiding place. She's able to hold her own against Kakashi in a brief taijutsu spar where he's barely able to dodge her first attack. In the end, Sakura and Naruto retrieve both bells by threatening to spoil the ending of Kakashi's new Icha Icha Paradise book, handing them the victory.
6 She's The First Person To Defeat An Akatsuki Member
Sakura's struggle against Sasori of the Akatsuki and his creepy puppets signals a significant change in her capabilities. Coordinating with Granny Chiyo, Sakura demonstrates her new fighting skills in a battle that ultimately ends with Sasori's death. Notably, this is the first time that any of the heroes defeats an Akatsuki member.
Most importantly, this is the first time after the time skip where viewers see Sakura play a huge role in a combat situation against an actual antagonist and win, proving she's definitely leveled up since the Chunin Exams' Forest of Death.
5 Sakura Keeps Nauto's Heart Beating Manually
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After Madara successfully extracts half of Kurama from Naruto during the Fourth Shinobi World War, Naruto dies despite his strong life force through his mother's lineage. To keep Naruto's body responsive until he can be revived with Kurama's other half from Minato, Sakura uses her combat medic expertise to cut her way into Naruto's chest.
Sakura then manually beats Naruto's heart for him and provides CPR as Gaara helps them make their way across the battlefield, pronouncing that Naruto will not die if she has anything to do with it. This showcases Sakura's healing abilities and her determination to keep her friends alive, no matter how much effort is required.
4 She Activates Her Strength Of A Hundred Seal
With Tsunade's teaching, Sakura begins cultivating her own Byakugou, or Strength of a Hundred Seal, by amassing enormous amounts of chakra into her forehead over three years. The seal is a combination of healing and medical jutsu that allows the user to use and even strengthen jutsu without draining their own chakra.
This accomplishment is meaningful since it makes Sakura one of the rare people in the world to create the seal and proves her precise chakra control. Sakura first unleashes its power during the Fourth Great Shinobi War, impressing everyone and confirming that she has reached Naruto and Sasuke's levels in terms of fighting capability.
3 She Helps Obito Rescue Sasuke
During the fight against Kaguya, Sasuke is sent into another dimension. To get him back, Sakura aids and repeatedly heals Obito, who is using his Mangekyo Sharingan and Kamui ability to look for him. After repeated attempts into the wrong dimensions, Obito locks onto the correct one.
Using her newly awakened Byakugou, Sakura lends her vast chakra reserves to Obito to keep it open, much to her own exhaustion. The tactic works and although the portal still closes soon after, the precious seconds she gives by lending her chakra are enough time to let Sasuke use his Rinnegan and switch places with Sakura's burned vest.
2 She Joins Team 7 In Fighting Kaguya
In a moment that represents Team 7 successfully working together at long last, Sakura joins Naruto and Sasuke in opposition against Princess Kaguya Otsutsuki. When Kaguya threatens the heroes with the destructive power of an Expansive Truth-Seeking Ball, Kakashi tells Team 7 that this will be their final mission.
Acting in conjunction with Naruto's Shadow Clones, Sasuke switching places, and Kakashi's Chidori, Sakura uses her signature strength and lands a powerful hit on Kaguya when she tries to escape. This removes one of her horns and lets Sasuke and Naruto seal her away for good.
1 She Collaborates With Her Husband Against Shin
With his status as Orochimaru's former test subject, his multiple implanted Sharingan, and his desire to rebuild the Akatsuki, Shin Uchiha is a formidable antagonist in Boruto. This makes his beating at Sakura's hands even more astounding. When Shin tries to abduct Sarada for her connection to Sasuke, Sakura gets taken instead while protecting her daughter.
Sakura plays the role of captive hostage while she listens to Shin's motivations and objectives. Once she learns everything, she proves that her captivity was entirely voluntary as she begins fighting her way out. During their fight, she switches positions with an injured Sasuke on the battlefield which allows her to get close enough to Shin and use her immense strength to pummel him.