Well to be fair Hiruzen was trying for peace, but Danzo made it clear that if peace failed Sasuke dies.
It also depends on one's personal thoughts on a hard life.
It could go:
Itachi
Gaara
Naruto
Nagato
Sasuke
Hinata
Or
Gaara
Hinata
Sasuke
Nagato
Itachi
Naruto
The first list would be based on the hardships of life. Itachi, Gaara, and Naruto would all have to have been alone growing up as well as hated for who they were
The second list could be based on more of an emotional aspect compared to grueling daily life. Gaara and Hinata both had family, but instead of getting a real family that supports their childeren they are told they are failures. Sasuke had family that loved him, but was taken from him.
So one must ask his or herself is it harder to grow up alone, or is it harder to grow up with people in your life, but those people who are supposed to love you basically hate your existence.
I personally find it hard to choose between the two. XD