That, or the series has just gone on so long that people have had too much time to build their expectations. I think the longer a series, the greater the possibly readers have for their speculations and theory to be let down, and then the greater disappointment they feel because of the expectations they've held aren't met as they hoped they would be.
Usually when a manga enters its penultimate to ultimate arc, it is when it begins to show signs of faltering, as writers need to finish the side characters side stories as soon as possible, and this war arc is clearly an opportunity for Kishi to rush it, as all the characters can be put together in one area, rather than having separate mini arcs for them.
Also, just the fact that Hinata still thinks like that, makes me believe that her plot line will still make it to the final arc.
Edited by Strangelove, 07 October 2013 - 10:12 PM.