Board Thread:Naruto Discussions/@comment-33731988-20180116041116/@comment-734582-20180118202802

LegionZero wrote: I wouldnt say she NEEDED to be saved from Shin but yea, it still happened. True, but it just fundamentally undermines the character. It's not that she couldn't have gotten backup, that part was fine. But the backup arrives to get her out of a tough bind, continuing a time-honored tradition of Sakura needing to be saved. LegionZero wrote: As for surpassing Tsunade it was stated that her Byakugo was more effective Stated, but not shown. Tsunade survived being torn in two yet could still keep 4 near-death kage alive as well as herself. The problem with sakura isn't what she can do, it's whats shown what she can do. LegionZero wrote: Another part of the problem is that Naruto and Sasuke are so far ahead of Sakura that she actually can't catch up. I mean, they have freaking God Mods. This doesn't have to be an issue. Considering they're the sons of clan heads, transmigrants, and got various powers and jutsu entrusted to them, it's not strange they're godmode. Considering that Sakura came from nothing, and yet became Sannin-level without that is very impressive in itself. But she never considers this to herself. This argument is never shown in the series. There's never a point where Tsunade says "stop worrying about them, consider what you've achieved yourself. How far you've come."

LegionZero wrote: I would also argue that she did fulfil Tsunades dream by preventing Naruto from dying I don't think this is particularly a powerful sentiment. Nor is it really surpassing in that sense, since it seems Dan got caught in his spirit jutsu and so was literally impossible to heal. It's not really something Tsunade couldn't have done with the exact same situation. On the other hand, Naruto was able to move people in a way Jiraiya couldn't, and Sasuke was able to leverage his genetic potential in a way Orochimaru couldn't. LegionZero wrote: I would also argue that Sasukes win vs Orochimaru wasnt legit, considering Orochimarus body was decaying and he was weakened but when they met later on Sasuke could have killed him. Completely true, but it's a one-up on him nonetheless. Later on when Sasuke resurrects him, Orochimaru has given up his quest for revenge and treats him more like a pupil, so in that sense he did achieve a victory. Either way, it's clear that Sasuke surpassed his master. Not in every sense, but enough that we can clearly say Sasuke is better in some regards. But not really Sakura.

It's this lack of clarity, lack of payoff, lack of meaningful feats that make people think she's useless. And it's frustrating since she could be so much more.