(In response to your concerns about Sakura) Team 7 as a whole gets A LOT stronger. Although Sakura seems weak and naive at the moment, that is because she has to suck in order for you to appreciate how much she grows throughout the series. Also, her parents are civilians so they aren't really important and thus left out of the story.
Oh whoooa! Yet another example of how my inbox is broken!! I’m so sorry inourskins, for never replying to this. Yes, only a couple of episodes after I posted that, Sakura had her character building set of episodes. I’ve come to appreciate her character more, even though I still think it could use more time. But character development isn’t necessarily the focus of the show, I understand. Anyway, thanks for taking the time to defend Sakura (i actually posted that, hoping someone would, because I really wanted to like her, after all the haters I’d seen). And I’m sorry I never got back to you. :)