As far as the expectation question goes....
All I can say is that I'll definitely be surprised if Kishimoto does not make things at least somewhat obvious in the manga. Whether it's this chapter or next, who knows.
I don't know how he will do it, but I just don't see the manga ending without a clear signal of where Naruto's heart and intentions lie. Naturally I believe his focus will still be on Sakura, and I believe we'll see her finally in a position to look at a new and better love in a new way. I don't expect a big love scene or anything, but something that shows them on the path toward love -- together this time.
The manga is its own entity, and is the source material for everything else. I can't see any logic in not completing it with confirmation of where the characters lives and relationships are headed. You know that Kishimoto, et al., know that not everyone watches the anime or the movies, so why would any significant actions or resolutions be revealed elsewhere? (Yeah, money, but true fans will see The Last anyway.)
Honestly, I may be outnumbered but I've taken Hinata's apparent role in The Last as a very good sign. It seems to me that it's going to be a sort of... payback for her. She and her fans won't win the ship war, but they'll get a movie where she figures prominently and get to see her become strong, perhaps eclipse her sister in her father's eyes, and finally step into the role of clan leader with confidence.
That would be a great win for Hinata and Hinata fans, without sacrificing everything Kishimoto has worked for in terms of his romance subplot. It's really the only way I've been able to arrange the pieces in my mind so that they make sense.
Time will tell, and there's not much left.