A Better Fate Than Sakura: Why Sasuke Should’ve Ended Up With These Characters

The final pairings in the Naruto series have been a subject of intense debate and fan discussion for years, and few relationships are as polarizing as the one between Sasuke Uchiha and Sakura Haruno. While creator Masashi Kishimoto has stated that he planned the pairing early on, many fans feel that their relationship lacks a solid foundation, especially given Sasuke’s consistent mistreatment and attempted murder of Sakura throughout the series. Their eventual marriage in Boruto felt rushed and, to many, unsatisfying.

Considering Sasuke’s complex character and long, difficult journey, it’s clear that other pairings would have been far more compelling, and arguably, more logical. These relationships would have provided a more organic and emotionally resonant conclusion to his character arc.

1. Karin Uzumaki

Of all the potential pairings, Karin Uzumaki is perhaps the most obvious and narratively satisfying choice. From the moment they meet, Karin’s devotion to Sasuke is unwavering, a stark contrast to Sakura’s unreciprocated infatuation during much of the series. While Sakura’s love was based on a childhood crush, Karin’s was born from a genuine sense of connection and a shared history of trauma.

• Shared Experience: Karin and Sasuke were both victims of Orochimaru’s experiments and had a deep understanding of each other’s pain and goals. They were allies who shared a common objective, which created a natural bond.
• Loyalty and Support: Karin was loyal to Sasuke at his lowest points, even after he tried to kill her. Her love was not conditional; she supported his path of revenge, albeit with concern for his well-being, and never abandoned him. This is a level of support that Sakura was not able to provide while Sasuke was a rogue ninja.
• An Actual Dynamic: While Sasuke and Sakura had very few positive interactions in Shippuden, Sasuke’s dynamic with Karin was a constant source of both comedy and emotional beats. He showed a level of trust and even a hint of affection for her, making their interactions more meaningful.

2. Hinata Hyuga

While a Sasuke and Hinata pairing is an unorthodox thought for many, it would have been a fascinating and surprisingly logical choice. Their shared status as members of powerful, storied clans gives them a common ground that Sasuke and Sakura lacked. A relationship between them could have been a powerful story of two people with tragic pasts finding peace with each other.

• Parallel Struggles: Hinata and Sasuke both came from prestigious clans with immense pressure on their shoulders. Hinata had to overcome her own feelings of inadequacy, while Sasuke had to grapple with the burden of his clan’s legacy.
• A Different Kind of Support: Unlike Sakura, who was often a damsel in distress in Part I, Hinata was a compassionate and empathetic ninja who was also a formidable fighter. She would not have blindly followed Sasuke’s destructive path but would have offered a calm, supportive presence, something he desperately needed.
• Thematic Harmony: A pairing between Sasuke and Hinata would have created a poetic contrast between the Uchiha’s curse of hatred and the Hyuga’s gentle-fist philosophy, a perfect way to explore themes of balance and redemption.

3. Temari

A pairing with Temari is another compelling alternative that would have given Sasuke a strong, equal partner. As a ninja from the Village Hidden in the Sand, Temari is a fierce and pragmatic kunoichi who wouldn’t put up with Sasuke’s brooding without calling him out on it. Her strong personality would have provided a much-needed foil to his darkness.

• Mutual Respect: Temari is not an emotional person who would have fawned over Sasuke. Their relationship would have been built on mutual respect and a shared understanding of the shinobi world’s harsh realities.
• A Sense of Equality: Unlike Sasuke and Sakura’s power imbalance, Sasuke and Temari are both S-rank ninja with immense power. Their relationship would have been a partnership of equals, a far more mature and compelling dynamic.
• A New Perspective: Temari’s background as a ninja from a different village would have given Sasuke a fresh perspective on the world outside of Konoha, something he sought to gain throughout his journey.

While the canonical relationship between Sasuke and Sakura provided a clear resolution for Team 7, it left many fans feeling that Sasuke’s character deserved a more complex and meaningful romantic conclusion. Whether it was with the unwavering loyalty of Karin, the quiet strength of Hinata, or the fierce equality of Temari, a different pairing could have offered a more compelling and thematically rich journey for one of anime’s most iconic characters.