Yes, it does... It is just so good that I don't know where it is going to go next, even if the emotional atmosphere is chilly and the only live character I really care for is Chief Yagami.

Naruto just demands to be followed for the cliffhangerness.

Nah, Kishimoto knows where he is going fairly certainly for the next arc, IMHO. He just likes to give himself lots of time. Togashi-sensei, on the other hand, I am not so sure about.