You thought it would be a step forward, even though he's only getting older? :PTogashi getting my tight with his unwillingness to hand over main artiest duties. Kishimoto got 2 of goons doing series for him. Somethings gotta give or it's never gonna end. Bleh. I really thought this year would be a step forward, not back.
I knew people would raise their expectations after the number of chapters last year, but this is completely normal for him.
2008: 20 chapters
2009: 0 chapters
2011-2012: 30 chapters
2013: 0 chapters
But obviously I'm in total agreement that he needs to team up with an artist. Though I'm not sure if the Kishimoto works are the best examples to use (in terms of sales/reception for the former, and reception for the latter).