She cared for him yes but he was clearly still friend zone. She was going to withdraw from the Chuunin exams because she didnt think Naruto was wise enough to pass on his own. I do get your point that her attitude softened on him but remember she was ready to leave Naruto and the rest of the leaf at the drop of a hat for Sasuke.
I don't think it matters if Naruto was in the friendzone or not. Sakura grew to care for him in a short amount of time, and unlike Hinata, she cared about him openly. More importantly, there was steady development and foreshadowing that she was beginning to have feelings for Naruto, which Kishimoto illustrated through Sai, Yamato and the data books (I thought this was BS but I actually looked up translations online, google is your friend).
As for the the Chuunin Exam, yeah, she didn't think Naruto was going to pass because the questions were incredibly difficult and Naruto wasn't exactly academically gifted so based on that information at hand she showed selflessness and caring in her willingness to pull out the entire team for Naruto's sake. That's what you should be focusing on, not that she rightfully didn't think Naruto was smart enough, because he clearly wasn't.
Regarding her leaving with Sasuke - no, she wasn't ready to leave
on the drop of a hat. She argued and begged and was desperate.
As far as Hinata, she definitely cared for Naruto and his dreams. I don't see how you could argue that. She liked Naruto so much that she adopted his creed and way of life. She rooted for Naruto in the last round over her own cousin and teammate. Even gave him healing ointment after fighting Kiba. While Sakura was scared stiff in the Pain invasion, Hinata was risking her life for Naruto. When Naruto was about to fold against Obito it was Hinata that slapped some sense into him and gave him his strength. Her whole character was basically liking Naruto.
When did Hinata ever express interest in Naruto's dreams? I don't recall a single instance in any of her appearances in the manga where she showed that. Not a one.
Hinata's feelings towards Naruto were inherently based on admiration first and foremost. Kishimoto would have served the character by leaving it at that then forcing a poorly written romance, though granted, the majority of relationships in Naruto were poorly done. But I digress. Hinata never cared for Naruto as an individual, only in relation to how he mattered to her.
Sakura mostly just cried and depended on Naruto/Kakashi. "Once in a lifetime request. Please save sasuke" in part 1. During the pain arc? Her big scene was hitting her knees and crying for Naruto after pain wrecked the village. Kage Summit arc? Again if it wasnt for Naruto/Kakashi she wouldve died. Hinata in her interactions supported Naruto far more than she ever needed him.
Sakura was saving lives on the sideline, i.e. doing her job as a medic. She also had numerous big moments, some of which I mentioned in the post you've quoted.
What support are you talking about? Naruto barely spoke to Hinata. He never needed her, never thought about her, or even considered her as anything more than a friend. Keep in mind Hinata appeared in like 20 out of 700 chapters. Her interactions with Naruto were few and inconsequential aside from the one time she jumped in front of Pain and later when Neji died.
Out of the two, Sakura was far and away the more open, meaningful and consistent source of support for Naruto.
