What events might lead to Sakura thinking Naruto is dead in the fanfiction?

One consequence could be moral. They would have to deal with the ethics of controlling the dead. Are they disturbing the natural order? This could cause a rift between them and some of their friends and allies who might not agree with such a practice.

In a fanfiction, Sakura and Ino fighting over Naruto could lead to some intense verbal exchanges. Maybe Sakura would bring up how she has been on more missions with Naruto, while Ino might counter with how she has a deeper understanding of Naruto's emotional side. It could also involve some petty rivalries like competing over who gets to sit next to Naruto during team meetings in the fan - made story.

In some fanfiction concepts, Naruto and Sakura might control the dead through powerful jutsu. Maybe they discover an ancient forbidden technique. For example, they could find a scroll that teaches them how to manipulate the souls of the dead. This could be a result of their continuous exploration and growth in the ninja world.

It could be an old enemy of the Hyuga clan. Since Hinata is a part of the Hyuga, someone with a vendetta against the clan might target her.

A fan who really likes Sakura and wants to show her strength. They might be tired of seeing Sakura always in a support role and want to create a scenario where she takes the lead and shows her power by beating up Naruto.

Maybe Loki is wrongly accused of a crime in Asgard. The Avengers, having had their own experiences with false accusations, step in to defend him. They believe in justice and know that Loki might not be guilty.

A Quidditch accident could be a start. If Draco were to get seriously injured during a Quidditch match and Harry were the first to help him, Draco might feel gratitude towards Harry. This newfound feeling could break down the walls between them. After that, they might start having conversations in the hospital wing, slowly realizing they have more in common than they thought.

It could be a rogue ninja from another village who has a vendetta against Naruto. This ninja might have set a very elaborate trap that made it seem like Naruto was killed and left his body in a place where his friends would find him and think he was dead.

Perhaps there is no traditional antagonist. Instead, Naruto's own insecurities could be the 'antagonist'. He's so used to wearing the mask of the happy - go - lucky guy that his inner self is resistant to being exposed. So, in a way, his own fear of change and vulnerability is what Sakura has to fight against when she tries to break his mask.

The village of Konoha would be in mourning. Naruto was a hero to them. Kushina's grief could spread throughout the village, dampening the spirits of everyone. There might be a sense of hopelessness as Naruto was often seen as the one to bring hope in difficult times.