1. Did you not see The Last: Naruto the Movie? Naruto finally realized Hinata's crush on him, and realized he loved her. He finally understood love, and did you not look up the movie? They wanted the focus to be Naruto and Hinata's relationship and they finally embrace love. Plus Hinata had been in love with Naruto her whole life, and overtime her crush evolved into more mature love.

2. What are you guys talking about?

I saw Naruto the last movie but i am still of the opinion that it should have been written better

Why are you asking if Naruto and Hinata was forced? What are you all talking about?

I have to disagree she has been in love with him sense the beginning and they hinted that he loves her when he was talking to Minato in the pain fight. When Minato mentioned love he thought of her.

Naruto did not know he loved Hinata, only small hints to himself, it was not until the movie he realized he was in love with Hinata.

So hints of interest doesn't count as progression of feelings..?

Obviously it was forced, hinata was his last option lmao

Sure they can. Sometimes people don't realize they are in love with someone until later.

Masashi Kishimoto decided that Naruto would marry Hinata so he always wanted them to be a couple, and after some details of maturity (you will have to look her up on Wikipedia and her concept and creation on Naruto Wiki) he could finally give her a bigger role in the final arc, and finally focus on their start of their romance while putting them in a love triangle with the main villain Toneri. But he took it slow and steady, and finally give them what he envisioned Naruto marrying Hinata, and having their children Boruto and Himawari Uzumaki.

Ok then.