Although it's one of the main forms of jutsu in Naruto alongside ninjutsu and taijutsu, it isn't often that genjutsu is allowed to shine in the spotlight like its counterparts. Unlike ninjutsu and taijutsu, all of the effects of genjutsu are illusory and in the mind, meaning they don't cause any real damage to opponents. When taking down high-risk targets like Zabuza who can kill in an instant, something just as deadly and tangible is typically preferred.
Adding to this, to truly use genjutsu to its full potential, one has to have precise mastery over chakra control, something many ninja lack. However, this actually makes Sakura a perfect candidate to have become a true genjutsu specialist, as her chakra control is able to match or even surpass that of Tsunade's with proper training. While Sakura was trained to be able to detect and release others from the effects of genjutsu, it was really only used once or twice in the series. And there are many ways her personal story would've been different if she had instead chosen to practice genjutsu.
10 She Would've Likely Trained Under Kurenai, Konoha's Genjutsu Master
There's no doubt that training under Tsunade was able to take Sakura's potential and push it to new heights, but if she were to specialize in genjutsu, she'd instead seek training under Kurenai. She's a more nurturing and kind figure than the Fifth Hokage and would've likely helped Sakura tap more into her empathy than her anger as she's frequently seen to.
Kurenai also would have been able to teach Sakura her deceptive attacks using genjutsu. For example, although Sakura's physical strength would still be severely lacking without Tsunade's training, she could use genjutsu to bind opponents before sneaking in for the kill with a kunai, like Kurenai is seen doing.
9 She'd Be The Only Kunoichi In Her Age Group With Mastery Over Genjutsu
There are very few characters within Naruto shown to have proficiency over genjutsu. Kurenai and the Uchiha Clan members are the only characters who come to mind, and it isn't often that Kurenai gets screen time. Likewise, Sasuke only uses genjutsu later on in a handful of situations.
He also counts far more on his other skills, so he wouldn't count as a master in the same right. This would make Sakura the only female - and one of the two only characters - in her age range to have a mastery over genjutsu, which would've added something unique to her character.
8 She'd Be Able To Provide Support By Setting Up Kills & Immobilizing Enemies
Back when Sakura first joined up with Team Seven, she really didn't bring anything to the table in terms of support. Her medical ninjutsu training later on helps her achieve this, but even then, it's a technique that's used to repair injuries after they happen.
On the other hand, if Sakura was a genjutsu user, she could immobilize opponents with illusions, making them easy targets for her squadmates to take out. She was already extremely proficient at chakra control from the start, so it wouldn't have been hard for her to pick up, either.
7 She Wouldn't Have Inherited The Strength Of A Hundred Seal Or Tsunade's Brute Strength
Although Sakura starts as one of the weakest characters physically, she's able to greatly buff her strength under Tsunade's tutelage by utilizing chakra control. Although specializing in genjutsu also requires chakra control, she wouldn't be learning the exact same techniques and likely wouldn't have the same brute strength.
Genjutsu itself makes up for this in a way, though, as it still allows her to protect herself. Her combat style would instead be stealthier, luring an opponent into her genjutsu with a false sense of security.
6 She Wouldn't Have Mastery Over Medical Ninjutsu, A Tool That Has Saved Multiple Lives
One of the biggest changes to Sakura's character if she was a genjutsu specialist would naturally be that she'd no longer possess her renowned healing capabilities. Not only did these abilities remove poison from Kankuro who otherwise would've died, but they've also saved the titular hero on multiple occasions.
This would be a huge downside for her character, as she can already sense and release others from the effect of genjutsu without specializing in it. If she had focused on genjutsu instead of healing, she'd be able to immobilize or trick opponents into missing an attack but not help after someone's injured.
5 There Wouldn't Have Been A Mental Health Clinic Opening For Those Affected By PTSD
In the Sakura Hiden novel, Sakura opens a clinic within Konoha Hospital along with Ino that would help assess and treat children's mental health after the war. If Sakura had strayed away from her healing-focused training and abilities, this clinic likely would never have been opened at all.
While it's true that Ino helped out, even with the two of them, Sakura begins overworking herself from all the newfound responsibility. It'd be too much for Ino to handle alone, given that it wouldn't be her only responsibility, and mental health would continue to go unchecked for the village's children.
4 She Would've Stood More Of A Chance In The Chunin Exams & During Their First Orochimaru Encounter
Outside of the written portion of the exam, where Sakura's brilliance had a chance to shine, she didn't contribute much during the Chunin Exams. Especially during and after their run-in with Orochimaru, she had to watch from the sidelines or be saved by others.
Although Orochimaru is a powerful threat, if she'd been studying genjutsu from the get-go, she could have potentially used it to disorient Orochimaru long enough for them to get away. This could have prevented Sasuke from obtaining the curse mark in the first place, and the trajectory of the series thereon would have been vastly different.
3 She Would've Made Amends With Ino Sooner, Given How Similar Ino's Powers Are To Genjutsu
Sakura and Ino's rivalry isn't handled terrifically well within the series. They were incredibly close friends torn apart by a mutual obsession over Sasuke, and while they do eventually reconcile, their love-fueled bickering lasts far too long, and they remain petty with one another for a while, even when acting friendly.
If Sakura had studied genjutsu, she likely would have sought advice from Ino, whose techniques also make her vulnerable while she's using them. Since Sakura was the one who initially caused the rift between them, this would help to mend things between them. It'd also give Sakura a chance to formally apologize for breaking off their initial friendship, something that isn't seen in canon.
2 Her Genjutsu Abilities Would Match Or Even Eclipse That Of Her Healing Skills
Sakura's healing capabilities are renowned after training under Lady Tsunade, and her natural talent for chakra control is a big reason for this. If she instead chose to focus on genjutsu, her power could easily match or even surpass her healing as a medical ninja.
During Sakura and Naruto's second bell exercise with Kakashi, Kakashi notes that Sakura was originally a genjutsu-type shinobi. This would mean that she'd pick up any form of genjutsu training incredibly fast, and since it's also a field where having good chakra control helps one excel, there'd be no limit to how good she could become.
1 Her Genjutsu Type Would Make More Sense, Rather Than Feeling Like A One-Time Ability
When Kakashi instructs Sakura to release the genjutsu that's keeping Naruto and the others asleep, he notes that the genjutsu training he put her through during their genin exam paid off. It isn't mentioned before this moment, and it isn't used again afterward aside from being mentioned again by Kakashi in passing. It feels like an incredible waste that would thankfully be solved if she simply devoted more of her training to this innate gift.
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