Well, often in such fanfictions, a theme is the power of friendship. Naruto's act of saving Sakura shows how far he'd go for a friend. It can also show the fragility of life in the Naruto universe. His death would shock everyone and make them reevaluate their own lives and goals. There might be a theme of redemption too. Maybe Sakura has made some mistakes in the past, and Naruto's sacrifice makes her want to be a better person. And of course, there's the theme of grief. All the characters would have to deal with the loss of Naruto in different ways, which can be really interesting to explore in the fanfiction.
In this fanfic, Sasuke could sense Naruto was in a dangerous situation with Sakura. Maybe Sakura, under some dark magic influence, was about to harm Naruto unconsciously. Sasuke, with his quick reflexes and strong power, rushed in between them. He used his Sharingan to break the magic's hold on Sakura and saved Naruto. Then Naruto and Sasuke had a moment of understanding, looking at each other with a new level of respect and friendship.
One scenario could be that the bullies are picking on Sakura at the ninja academy. Naruto arrives late and sees what's going on. He immediately challenges the bullies to a sparring match, which they can't refuse because of Naruto's status as a top student. During the match, Naruto easily outmaneuvers them and makes them look foolish, causing them to run away in embarrassment.
Naruto would likely become more determined and strategic. Having to save Sakura from Orochimaru would make him realize the importance of being more than just brute force. He might start to study Orochimaru's techniques more carefully, which would increase his knowledge of different types of jutsu. This would also make him more respected among his peers as they see his growth in handling complex and dangerous situations.
Often, the story ends with Sakura being forever changed. She might become more determined to protect the village and Naruto's ideals. There could also be a somber tone, with the other characters mourning Naruto's loss for a long time. Sometimes, the story might end with a memorial for Naruto, where all the characters gather to pay their respects.
One possible plot twist could be that Orochimaru has a new jutsu that Naruto has to figure out quickly to save Sakura. Maybe it's a jutsu that messes with time, so Naruto has to break through different time loops to reach Sakura. Another could be that Orochimaru has an unexpected ally who tries to stop Naruto from rescuing Sakura. This ally could be someone from Naruto's past who has a grudge against him.
One idea could be that Naruto has to face a powerful new enemy who has kidnapped Sakura's team. Naruto uses his new and improved Rasengan techniques to fight through hordes of minions and rescue them. Another could be that the team is trapped in a genjutsu world created by an evil shinobi, and Naruto, with his strong will, breaks the genjutsu and saves them.
Naruto could show his growth by using more strategic thinking during the rescue. Instead of just rushing in, he might plan his approach, which shows he's become more mature. For example, he studies the enemy's patterns before making a move.
Well, in a 'sakura dies saving team 7 fanfic', the plot could go like this. Sakura might be in a situation where Team 7 is facing an overwhelming threat. She could put herself in harm's way to buy time for Naruto, Sasuke and Kakashi. For example, if they are being attacked by a group of powerful ninjas, Sakura might use her chakra - enhanced strength to create an opening for the others to flee. And in the end, she succumbs to her injuries while the rest of Team 7 is saved.
One possible plot could be that Sarada gets into a dangerous situation, like being attacked by a powerful enemy. Sakura, being her mother, jumps in to protect her without hesitation. Sakura uses all her medical ninjutsu skills and combat abilities to fend off the enemy, but in the end, she sacrifices herself to ensure Sarada's safety.