Yes it kind of does... I think Naruto is still popular in Japan but it's no longer in 1-2 place of shoninjump. I think it's around 5th place or was. Naruto used to have the 1-2 place for quite some time back in the day.
I really wish dubs were not so terrible. The Naruto,Bleach and One Piece Dubs are or in some cases were absolutely terrible. I have almost always been watching and or reading subs and avoiding dubs at all costs. If there was no such thing as Fansubs I don't think many of us would even be here reading this forum now. lol
I don't have high expectations for Naruto. It seems you do? My expectations are around medium level. I don't think the series is letting me down personally yet. lol But some things have been upsetting me recently. Naruto is still good in my books. Even when Naruto is at it's worst I read a Bleach chapter and I'm instantly thankful for what I am getting out of kishimoto. However all I really read now is those three manga. Bleach, Naruto and One Piece. If I did not read Bleach I would only be comparing One Piece to Naruto and boy would Naruto be disappointing me a lot more on average. So I am a little bias... I'm also bias because I really do like the series Naruto I guess I'm a fanboy. Not to much this series could do to really piss me off. It's tried though and succeeds at times.
However, how the series ends will completely effect if I like or dislike it as a whole. The ending means a lot to me!